Best Master’s in College Student Counseling and Personnel Services Programs

Yes, an on-campus or online master’s in college student counseling and personnel services can be worth it for students interested in working as postsecondary education administrators. Many of these positions require a master’s degree. Additionally, the BLS projects an 4% job growth for postsecondary administrators, amounting to an average of 15,300 job openings yearly.

An online degree may be worth it for students with full-time jobs or other responsibilities. These offer greater flexibility than on-campus programs. When choosing an online program, consider internship requirements and if the school provides help finding local opportunities. Some students also use a master’s as a stepping stone to a doctoral degree.

This degree leads to numerous opportunities in educational institutions. Many graduates pursue roles in administration at the postsecondary level. A few of the many positions at colleges and universities include admissions officers and registrars. Graduates may also work as administrators in student affairs for housing, student activities, or residential life.

If you graduated from a program emphasizing school counseling, you might also pursue roles at the preK-12 or college level as a school or career counselor. Most states require that school counselors hold a master’s degree, and public school counselors require a state-issued credential. These roles require internship or practicum experience and passing a test.

College student counseling and personnel services graduates may continue their education and pursue a Ph.D. or a doctorate. These students may earn a doctorate in higher education and qualify for high-level administration roles, such as provosts or deans. Other students may pursue a doctorate in school counseling and work with school districts or communities.

After earning a master’s in school counseling, students may enroll in one of the top doctorate school counseling programs. These graduates may work in academia and research, searching for ways to improve counseling methods. They may also go on to teach at the postsecondary level.

Those who pursue roles as postsecondary administrators earn significantly more than the national median annual wage for all workers, which was $45,760 as of May 2021. The BLS reports that these professionals earn a median yearly salary of $96,910, with the top 10% boasting earnings of more than $190,770.

A master’s in college student counseling and personnel services leads to many different roles. Pay varies by the employer, position, years of experience, and location. For example, the BLS reports that school and career counselors earn a median annual salary of $60,510. Comparatively, kindergarten through secondary level education administrators boast median yearly earnings of $98,420.

In May 2021, postsecondary education administrators working at colleges, universities, and professional schools earned some of the highest wages, with a median wage of $98,180, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Those working at junior colleges made $94,120. The BLS reports that California employs the largest number of these administrators, who earned an average yearly wage of $129,030 in the Golden State in 2021.

Postsecondary education administrators working in New York, New Jersey, Delaware, and Washington boasted even greater earnings in 2021, with average wages of $159,800, $145,920, $138,150, and $136,570, respectively.