Can anyone help me out with a little information on what they think the return of Investment would be for a counseling degree? Meaning how easy would a new grad be able to get a job? and what is the starting pay? (yes I have looked this up online but would like to get some "real" experience with it). I have been talking to my husband about my masters degree and he is not to happy about the 40k price tag for my counseling degree and suggests that I find an alternative degree that cost less 1. because of the economy and 2. so that we can pay down my debt from my BA. I agree with number 2 and had planned do pay on my student loans while getting my Masters even though we wouldn't have to so that the amount I would owe would be less once I am done with the Masters. He did suggest I get one Masters and then get my counseling degree a few years after that.. I am just not sold on this idea as I just want to get it rolling. Thoughts?
If you are in KC then I recommend you Mid Nazarene masters in Counseling at $350 x credit that makes it 21 000 not 40k. It is not online but well Kansas requires 30 out of 60 credits to be taken on campus. Other of the features of that degree is the portability, its professional accrediation makes it fulfill the requirements of most (if not all states). Missouri requires 48 credits all of them on campus to become an LPC if moving is not an issues you have Evangel University a school with a solid reputation in Springfield for $275 x credit hour. The problem I see is the time it takes to get licensed as an LPC. In KS now the LPCS can only work under supervision and it is not until you get the new LPCC that you can work on your own. The shortcut I am using while getting my masters in counseling and my license is becoming a coach. I am an NLP practitioner and do career, academic, business and life coaching. What I do in reality is counseling but I can't call it that way. I think that if you go into the masters and then seek licensure is going to take a while to see the ROI. I work on my own and I do most of my work online or over the phone. Ft Hays has some grad certificates you can get however they require some minimal on-campus presence. I think that could be a good start. I am taking grad classes that I will transfer into a counseling program for now and will probably get a masters in teaching from Morningside. I am a bit crazy but well.. it works pretty good for me. I hope it helps
