The field of counseling emphasizes helping clients with personal, family, social, educational and career decisions. Specific duties for counselors will vary largely dependent on the setting and clientele. Graduates of the MA in counseling program can take positions like director of a non-profit organization or ministry, case managers in community or residential facilities, work in community programs, counselors within church organizations, career counselors, rehabilitation counselors, school guidance counselors, workers in human resources within a business, and marriage and family therapists. Usually, further education would be required to take a position as a professor or director of a mental health agency. Graduates focus on doing intakes, preparing treatment plans, case management, assisting with psychiatric or psychological treatment, or ministry.
Some graduates obtain licensure and go on to engage in full or part-time private practice.
Changes in managed mental health care have made positions in private practice type service delivery competitive and less financially rewarding. The school counseling program prepares students to take positions in public or private schools as guidance counselors or perform counseling services. The community counseling program prepares students to work in a variety of settings including public agencies, private practices, and mental health facilities. Some students go on to get a doctorate in Counseling or Counselor Education to prepare them to become supervisors, professional skills trainers, professors, and take higher levels of responsibility in professional organizations. Some graduates change fields and choose to go into Psychology or Social Work.