Mental health offers a variety of training and career options. Popular careers in mental health include psychology and counseling. Because they have such important jobs, mental health professionals' training tends to be rigorous.

Training Programs

If you are interested in becoming a psychologist, you should consider an undergraduate major in psychology. Many doctoral training programs only accept students who have majored in psychology as undergraduates. Doctoral training programs can be completed in five to seven years. Upon graduation, psychologists must earn their licenses before they can practice.

Mental health counselors do not need quite as much training as psychologists. In order to earn your counseling license in most states, you need your master's degree in counseling. Master's degree programs include courses in such topics as human growth and development, diversity, relationships, group work, research, and career development.

Mental Health Professionals on the Job

Psychologists work with patients at hospitals and clinics. They help their patients to heal from past emotional trials so that their patients can adjust well to the world around them. Mental health counselors help people who are suffering from depression, substance abuse, low self-esteem, and other issues. They might work one-on-one or with small groups.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of psychologists and mental health counselors will increase faster than average through 2014. Psychologists make an average of $54,950 per year. Mental health counselors can expect to earn around $32,960 per year.

Mental health professionals provide essential support for their clients. If you are eager to work closely with patients in a healthcare field, you should consider mental health degrees.

Online Degrees in Mental Health

Walden University

Walden University offers students a comprehensive Bachelor's or Master's degree program in an exclusive online environment. The online tools and resources available allow students to enjoy the freedom and flexibility of independent learning, structured class curriculums, and easy access to instructors. more

Mental Health Degrees Offered:

M.S. in Mental Health Counseling
This program will prepare you to address and treat behavioral disorders knowledgeably, ethically, and with respect for diversity. You’ll gain the confidence, qualifications, and critical-thinking skills to seek licensure and apply best practices as a change agent in the counseling profession. This terminal degree will give you the ability to use your knowledge immediately as a practicing professional.

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UMassOnline

The University of Massachusetts has been providing high quality educational opportunities for Massachusetts residents and for students and faculty from all over the world for more than 140 years. The University of Massachusetts President and Board of Trustees created UMassOnline in 2001 to meet the online educational needs of people locally, nationally, and internationally by offering accredited educational programs via interactive, Internet-based learning systems. more

Mental Health Degrees Offered:

Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling
The MS program prepares its graduates to be professional practitioners in a variety of community settings and institutions: hospitals, schools, rehabilitation agencies, career planning centers, employee assistance programs, clinics, residential treatment facilities, and other mental health agencies. It is a 60-credit master's which meets the academic requirements for licensure in the state of Massachusetts as a Mental Health Counselor (there are additional post graduate clinical experience requirements for licensure). The program operates on a cohort model whereby all participants complete the same program of study. Two weeks of on campus study is required during the first summer of the program to complete two required clinical courses. They are generally taught in the middle of July. The remaining coursework is online. The sessions are held on Nantucket Island in Massachusetts and housing is available at a reasonable rate (Housing information will be provided by the program upon request).

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