An overwhelming majority of Americans feel the country is experiencing a mental health crisis, yet only 33% report being able to access the care they need. So if you feel counseling is your calling, pursuing your online Counseling MS is more important than ever. Lucky for you, it’s never been simpler to find a flexible, accredited online Counseling degree.
When considering potential careers with a Counseling degree, the first thing people imagine is traditional talk therapy in a private practice or clinic. However, this is not the only option available. Earning a Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling online prepares students for a variety of career paths. Students in these programs explore topics like psychology, human development, and therapeutic techniques, all while building the interpersonal and analytical skills needed to support others through life’s challenging moments.
If you’re exploring careers with an online Counseling degree and want to use your counseling education in a nontraditional setting, here are six unexpected career paths to consider.
1. Corporate wellness consultant
Average Salary: $63,000 per year
Corporate wellness consultants help businesses build a healthier and engaged workforce by organizing mental health workshops, curating digital resources, and providing coaching sessions. Studies show that poor mental health leads to lost productivity, making the role of wellness consultants increasingly vital in today’s workplace.
Earning a Mental Health Counseling degree online benefits the corporate wellness consultant role because you develop an understanding of human behavior and emotional intelligence. Strong communication skills allow you to better engage with employees and grow a supportive work environment, while empathy practice allows you to notice and solve issues affecting employees’ morale and performance. Counseling graduates create a psychologically safe work environment and cultivate cultures where employees feel heard, supported, and empowered.
2. Career counselor
Average Salary: $65,140 per year
Career counselors help people navigate career choices confidently by providing knowledge and resources. Through working at high schools, colleges, or workforce centers, career counselors help clients determine their strengths, explore opportunities, and develop strategies to reach their goals. Their work involves administering assessments, leading workshops, and providing one-on-one coaching.
Receiving a Master’s in Counseling Degree online prepares students for this career because they understand human development and behavior, allowing them to guide clients through tough decisions, career shifts, or transitions. Just as important as technical knowledge, bringing empathy and perspective to conversations surrounding identity and perseverance is essential.
3. Rehabilitation counselor
Average Salary: $46,110 per year
Rehabilitation counselors help clients overcome or manage the personal, social, or psychological effects of disabilities on employment or independent living. Assisting with job training, navigating healthcare, finding places to live, and coping with the psychological impacts of life-altering injuries or diagnoses, rehabilitation counselors cover a wide range of tasks.
Earning a Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling online is an excellent tool for rehabilitation counselors. While it’s important to know how to create individualized treatment plans and support people through trauma, change, and uncertainty, it’s even more important to truly hear clients’ experiences and respond with sensitivity and practical tools. Clinical experiences through online Master’s in Mental Health Counseling degree programs prepare students to assist clients in this role.
Start on Your Path to Becoming a Clinical Mental Health Counselor!
4. Life coach
Average Salary: $65,140 per year
Life coaches work with clients to achieve their personal and professional goals by providing guidance, support, and encouragement. While this profession differs from clinical counseling, it requires many of the same skills, especially when understanding human motivation, fostering self-awareness, and creating actionable change.
While not required, having an Online Master’s in Mental Health Counseling offers a strong foundation for life coaching, giving you the background to help people identify values, clarify goals, and produce improvement plans. Completing a Counseling master’s degree online shows commitment to fully understanding your patients, emphasizes holistic wellness, and aligns with best-practice coaching methods.
5. Behavioral health policy advocate
Average Salary: $61,330 per year
Behavioral health policy advocates at organizations like the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and Mental Health America (MHA) work to influence public policy and funding decisions impacting access to mental health care. They conduct research, draft policy proposals, lobby for reform, and collaborate with organizations to improve service delivery.
Earning a Mental Health Counseling Degree online gives advocates the academic background to learn how different communities access care and uncover barriers that prevent people from getting the support they need. Students in online Mental Health Counseling degree programs learn to assess the effectiveness of mental health practices and studies, a skill advocates use to evaluate policies critically and promote effective initiatives.
6. Crisis hotline director
Average Salary: $86,130 per year
Crisis hotline directors lead teams responsible for answering urgent calls from people in distress. They manage staff, ensure compliance with accreditation standards, and coordinate community outreach. The national suicide and crisis lifeline, 988, exceeded half a million contacts in May 2024, up 80% since May 2022 when it opened, emphasizing the growing importance of these services.
In this leadership role, having a Master’s in Counseling Degree online is invaluable. Directors must understand crisis intervention and support their staff through emotionally intense situations. Also, administrative and relational skills learned in a Counseling Master’s Degree online program foster a strong mission-driven culture.
What’s next?
An online Master’s in Mental Health Counseling degree is a solid foundation for many careers, not just in traditional therapy. Whether you’re passionate about education, coaching, advocacy, leadership, or corporate wellness, the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at University of Bridgeport could be the right program for you. Through this program, you can explore the variety of careers with an online Counseling MS and find your purpose.