Unleashing the Healer Within: Top Online Counseling Degrees for Seniors

In numerous states, becoming a professional counselor necessitates a relevant bachelor’s degree and sometimes a certification. These counselors, while not licensed therapists or psychologists, provide vital mental health services to “clients”, under a licensed mental health professional’s supervision. Their role parallels that of medical assistants under licensed medical practitioners’ guidance. Counselors typically focus on marriage, parenting, and family issues, substance abuse, youth and student issues, employment and human resource issues, and grief counseling.

For seniors eyeing a career in professional counseling, various online degree programs allow studying from the comfort of their homes. Many programs feature accelerated formats, enabling seniors to earn their degrees faster than traditional pathways.

Here are some of the best online degree programs for seniors:

Eastern Kentucky University

EKU provides a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology with a concentration in Substance Abuse. Its curriculum mirrors the on-campus classes, taught by the same faculty, offered in intensive, accelerated 8-week periods. The curriculum encompasses core psychology studies and courses such as Introduction in Behavior Therapy and Psychological Perspectives on Substance Abuse. You can transfer up to 90 credit hours of relevant, previous college work towards your degree.

Liberty University

LU’s BS in Psychology degree program offers several counseling specializations, including crisis counseling. Each course spans eight weeks, and you may transfer up to 75% of the total 120 hours from previous accredited college or university coursework. The curriculum includes courses like Introduction to Research, General Psychology, Psychology of Personality, and Abnormal Psychology, priming you for a potential graduate degree.

William Jessup University

This private institution offers a BS in Psychology degree program with a counseling emphasis. You can transfer up to 90 appropriate credit hours towards the 128 credit hours degree. Core courses encompass Human Sexuality, Personality Theory and Therapy, Cognitive Psychology, and Counseling Skills.

Colorado Christian University

CCU’s BS in Applied Psychology degree program, emphasizing Clinical Counseling, covers core courses such as Behavioral Psychology, Counseling Services and Methods, Human Growth and Development, Neuroscience and Clinical Counseling, and Empathy Training.

Southern New Hampshire University

Well-known for its various online degree programs, SNHU offers a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a concentration in Mental Health and other psychology specialties. The program consists of 120 credit hours, 90 of which can be transferred towards the degree. Core courses include Introduction to Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, Theories of Personality, Psychology and Social Change, Research Methods, Statistical Literacy in Psychology, and studies in Counseling Process and Techniques.

Prescott College

This modern private school offers a BA in Psychology And Human Development degree program, with five areas of concentration, including Counseling. Core courses feature History of Gender and Sexuality, Introduction to Ethnic Studies, Interpersonal Communication, Counseling Skills, Critical Psychology, Transpersonal Psychology, and Ethics, the Law, and Professional Issues in Counseling and Psychology.

East Central University Online

ECU provides a bachelor’s degree in Human Services Counseling, consisting of 124 total credit hours, 94 of which can be transferred towards the degree. Core courses include Fundamentals in Counseling, Human Behavior and Social Environment, Interviewing Techniques, Group Processes and Practices, Counseling Services, Employment and Placement Techniques, and Intervention Processes and Techniques.

Capella University

Capella’s degree program preps its graduates to become certified counselors. Core courses include Psychology of Personality, Counseling and Advocacy with Diverse Populations, Introduction to Counseling and Psychotherapy, Survey of Research in Human Development for Professional Counselors, Human

Lifespan Development, and Biological Psychology, with additional graduate courses in Foundations of Couple and Family Therapy, Family Therapy Theory and Methods, and Professional Ethics in Marriage and Family Therapy. Capella holds an accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education.