A masters degree in behavioral health opens doors to making a real difference in people’s lives As behavioral health needs grow, skilled masters-level practitioners are in high demand across counseling, social work, psychology, and related fields This guide explores fulfilling career paths available with a masters in behavioral health.
Why Earn a Masters in Behavioral Health?
There are several compelling reasons to pursue masters-level education in behavioral health:
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Help people overcome mental health and substance abuse issues
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Learn therapeutic techniques to foster positive change
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Build a career improving individual and community wellness
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Gain expertise in counseling psychology, social work, human services, etc.
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Advance your skills to take on greater responsibility
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Increase job prospects and earning potential
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Make a difference and give back to society
A masters degree equips graduates with the knowledge and credentials for rewarding behavioral health careers. Passionate professionals can transform lives by supporting diverse populations through mental healthcare and substance abuse treatment.
What Will You Learn in a Behavioral Health Masters Program?
A behavioral health masters curriculum covers topics such as:
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Counseling theories and techniques (CBT, DBT, psychodynamic, etc.)
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Group counseling
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Social and cultural diversity
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Human development
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Research methods
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Assessment and testing
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Addiction studies
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Mental health counseling
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Marriage and family therapy
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Trauma and crisis intervention
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Clinical supervision
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Healthcare policy and administration
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Ethics and professional standards
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Internships/practicums provide hands-on experience
Programs blend clinical knowledge with practical skills to prepare graduates for professional counseling licensure. Some common specializations include mental health counseling, marriage and family therapy, addictions counseling, and clinical social work.
What are the Typical Admission Requirements?
Admission requirements vary by program but often include:
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Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
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Competitive GPA (e.g. 3.0+)
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GRE or MAT test scores
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Essays or statements
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Letters of recommendation
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Interview
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Related experience in psychology, social work, counseling, etc.
Many programs want to see humanitarian involvement through volunteering, research, social justice efforts, etc. Strong communication skills are also important for counseling careers.
International applicants need TOEFL/IELTS English test scores. The process examines both academic ability and humanistic qualities aligned with counseling values.
What Types of Jobs Can You Get with a Masters in Behavioral Health?
A masters opens diverse career paths in behavioral healthcare such as:
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Mental health counselor – Help individuals and families through counseling, assessment, treatment planning, etc. Work in clinics, private practice, schools, hospitals, etc.
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Substance abuse counselor – Support people battling addictions through individual and group counseling, case management, referrals, etc. Roles in rehab centers, community programs, criminal justice system, etc.
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Social worker – Assist vulnerable populations through counseling, advocacy, case management, resource connections, psychotherapy, etc. Jobs in nonprofits, government, hospitals, and more.
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Marriage and family therapist – Treat relationship issues, mental illness, substance abuse by using psychotherapy, family systems approaches, etc. Private and agency practice settings.
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Psychologist – Diagnose and treat mental, emotional and behavioral issues through evidence-based approaches. Requires doctoral degree for licensed practice.
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Community services manager – Lead teams delivering mental health, substance abuse, child welfare, disability and other human services programs. Work for government and nonprofits.
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Program coordinator – Manage daily operations of behavioral health programs – staffing, activities, partnerships, compliance, referrals, budgets, etc.
With a masters degree and required clinical supervision hours, graduates are also eligible to pursue counseling licensure and independent practice.
Which Online Masters in Behavioral Health Programs Are the Best?
When researching master’s programs, look for curriculum aligning with licensure requirements and CACREP accreditation standards.
Here are some top-ranked behavioral health masters programs:
- New York University
- University of Southern California
- Harvard University
- Columbia University
- University of Denver
- Wake Forest University
- Boston University
- Michigan State University
- Arizona State University
- Syracuse University
Consider factors like clinical training quality, career services, faculty expertise, university reputation, and tuition costs. Pursuing education at a respected program pays dividends throughout your career.
How Long Does It Take to Complete a Behavioral Health Masters?
Completion timelines vary by program but generally fall between 2-3 years full-time. Many students take longer by going part-time, especially if working while studying.
Shorter 1-year accelerated masters programs are also available but have tighter course loads.
Some key considerations for program length:
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Number of credits required – Typically 48+ credits
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Internship and supervision hours – Ranges from 300 to 3000+ hours
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Program pacing – Full-time vs part-time options
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Entry points – Fall start or multiple starts per year
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Transfer credits – Potential to apply some credits from past education
Give yourself ample time to immerse in coursework while gaining extensive clinical experience. This solid foundation leads to skilled practice.
What Is the Job Outlook for Behavioral Health Careers?
The job outlook for masters-level behavioral health graduates is very strong. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics:
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Mental health counselor jobs are projected to grow 25% over the next decade, much faster than average.
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Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors can expect a 32% increase in jobs openings.
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Clinical, counseling, and school psychologist roles will grow by 22%.
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Social worker jobs are expected to grow by 13%, adding 112,000 new positions by 2030.
Demand is surging for behavioral health services across healthcare, community, educational, corporate, and government settings. Skilled masters-prepared counselors and therapists are needed more than ever before.
Pursuing an accredited masters degree with good clinical training is the first step toward securing a rewarding behavioral health career. Passionate professionals can make an immense difference while benefitting from excellent job prospects and compensation.
Which Software Skills Are Used in Behavioral Health Careers?
Key software tools used in behavioral health include:
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Electronic Health Records (EHR) – documenting assessments, treatment plans, progress notes, etc.
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Telehealth platforms – providing online video counseling and therapy
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Billing/claims software
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Case management systems – track client information and care coordination
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Online appointment scheduling tools
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Data analysis software – understand healthcare outcomes
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Mobile apps and wearable trackers – monitor health indicators
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Virtual reality – aid immersive therapy for phobias, anxiety, PTSD
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Video conferencing and collaboration platforms – enable remote work
Software skills give counselors an edge in assessment, treatment delivery, regulation compliance, practice management, and professional development.
How Can You Start Preparing for a Career in Behavioral Health?
Here are some tips to begin working toward a masters in behavioral health:
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Research areas of interest – mental health counseling, substance abuse counseling, marriage & family therapy, etc.
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Take introductory psychology and social work courses to gain foundational knowledge
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Get volunteer or internship experience in counseling environments
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Build communication, empathy, cultural competency, and problem-solving skills
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Study for GRE/MAT exams and allow time for test retakes if needed
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Discuss career options with practicing behavioral health professionals
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Start compiling documents needed for masters program applications
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Research potential practicum sites and supervisors
With passion for improving lives and proper planning, you can prepare for an incredibly meaningful career supporting the behavioral health needs of individuals, families, and communities through skilled, ethical practice.
What jobs can you do with a Master’s degree in Psychology?
It is important to note that whilst many of these roles do require a Master’s degree (i.e. they don’t require a doctorate degree), there may be additional steps required such as further training, certification or supervised hours. Additionally, you may find that many of these types of roles offer preference to candidates with a doctoral degree.
What’s in this guide?
By psychologyjobs.com Staff Writer Our career guides are produced by staff writers in conjunction with our
A master’s degree is often rigorous, intensive and well-respected by employers. Thanks to the varied skill set required to complete this qualification, there are a number of jobs available to individuals who hold a master’s degree in psychology or a related subject. If you’re interested in job opportunities for psychology master’s graduates, take a look at the information below. We cover everything, from expected salaries according to specialization, to the pros and cons of completing a doctoral degree.
A master’s degree is a graduate-level academic degree that involves advanced study of psychological theories, principles, and research methods. It typically requires 1-3 years of full-time study, depending on the program and whether it is pursued on a part-time or full-time basis.
When you hear “Master’s degree in Psychology” this can actually mean a number of different things. For example it may mean a Master of Arts or MA in Psychology where the program focuses on the theoretical and research aspects of psychology, and provides students with a strong foundation in psychological theory, research methods, and statistical analysis.
It may mean a Master of Science or MS in Psychology where the program places more emphasis on research methods and data analysis, and is often geared towards students who plan to pursue a career in research.
It may even mean one of the above (MA or MS) in a specific subfield of psychology e.g. clinical psychology, counseling psychology, organizational psychology, forensic psychology or many others.
The one thing these different types of degree program have in common is that they can often open similar doors in terms of job opportunities.
