by our College Data Analytics TeamClinical Pastoral Counseling/Patient Counseling was the 751st most popular major in the 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 328 degrees in this year alone. This is a difference of 55 over the prior year, a growth of 16.8%.
This year's Best Clinical Pastoral Counseling/Patient Counseling Schools ranking compares 10 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of clinical pastoral counseling/patient counseling programs later in this article.
A major in clinical pastoral counseling/patient counseling prepares you for careers in which giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times is crucial. Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do and talking to others to convey information effectively are all required skills for careers related to this major.
clinical pastoral counseling/patient counseling degree applicants generally need have finished high school or their GED. Many schools may also have GPA and SAT/ACT score minimums that must be met. Once you obtain your degree, additional clinical pastoral counseling/patient counseling certifications required to pursue a career in this field.
There are various different levels of clinical pastoral counseling/patient counseling degrees. You can get anything from a in clinical pastoral counseling/patient counseling to the highest clinical pastoral counseling/patient counseling degree, a . Different clinical pastoral counseling/patient counseling degrees vary in how long they take.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A master's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to clinical pastoral counseling/patient counseling, with approximately 54.7% of workers getting one. People currently working in careers related to clinical pastoral counseling/patient counseling tend obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | 52.7% |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 21.6% |
| Post-Master’s Certificate | 7.0% |
| First Professional Degree | 5.7% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 5.1% |
Most workers in clinical pastoral counseling/patient counseling have at least a master's degree. The chart below shows what degree level those who work in clinical pastoral counseling/patient counseling have obtained.
This of course varies depending on which clinical pastoral counseling/patient counseling career you choose.
Want a job when you graduate with your clinical pastoral counseling/patient counseling degree? Clinical Pastoral Counseling/Patient Counseling careers are expected to grow 16.4% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to clinical pastoral counseling/patient counseling.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Clergy | 263,800 | 8.2% |
| Mental Health Counselors | 194,200 | 23.1% |
| Substance Abuse Counselors | 126,200 | 23.2% |
| Marriage and Family Therapists | 51,200 | 23.4% |
| Counselors | 36,300 | 14.2% |
As you might expect, salaries for clinical pastoral counseling/patient counseling graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for clinical pastoral counseling/patient counseling graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers clinical pastoral counseling/patient counseling grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Marriage and Family Therapists | $54,150 |
| Clergy | $53,290 |
| Counselors | $47,740 |
With over 38 different clinical pastoral counseling/patient counseling degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased clinical pastoral counseling/patient counseling school rankings to help you with this.
One of 11 majors within the Mental & Social Health Services area of study, Clinical Pastoral Counseling/Patient Counseling has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Mental Health Counseling/Counselor | 7,609 |
| Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling | 5,433 |
| Other Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions | 4,069 |
| Marriage and Family Therapy/Counseling | 3,405 |
| Psychiatric/Mental Health Services Technician | 2,779 |
View All Clinical Pastoral Counseling/Patient Counseling Related Majors >
