Mental Health Counseling
Mental illness in our country is a growing crisis. Staggering statistics demonstrate the need for more providers. According to Mental Health America’s 2024 report on the state of mental health in the US:
- 23% of adults experience mental illness
- 1 in 5 youths had at least one major depressive episode — and more than 50% did not receive treatment.
- 18% of adults have experienced a substance abuse disorder — and 77% do not receive treatment.
There is an urgent demand for help, but the ratio of individuals to U.S. mental health care providers is 340:1. The good news? You can make a difference. AIC’s master’s and doctorate programs in mental health counseling prepare you to step in and help those in need of mental health services.
Job Outlook
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 19% growth in mental health counseling jobs through 2033, making it one of the fastest-growing professions in the U.S. The BLS forecasts that there will be 84,500 new jobs in the sector by 2033.
Salary Potential
The median annual wage for mental health counselors is $53,710, but many factors can affect how much you earn, such as where you live and in which sector you practice. The top 10% of practitioners may earn more than $89,920.
Work Environment
Mental health counselors can work in a variety of care environments. As of 2023, the Bureau of Labor Statistics listed the largest mental health employers as:
- Outpatient mental health and substance abuse centers: 17%
- Individual and family services: 16%
- Offices of other health practitioners: 14%
- Hospitals; state, local, and private: 9%
- Residential mental health and substance abuse centers: 9%
Professional Associations
The following professional associations may provide useful career resources and continuing education opportunities for mental health counselors.
Nursing - Family Nurse Practitioner
It’s widely known that the medical field is facing a dire shortage of qualified nurses. What’s more, a growing shortage of primary care physicians, an aging baby boomer population, and many patients choosing to receive care from a nurse practitioner rather than a doctor has facilitated a need for more Family Nurse Practitioners to help fill the health care gap. So, if you’ve considered elevating your career for any reason—higher salary, more autonomy, better work-life balance—now is a great time, as evidenced by the statistics below.
Job Outlook
According to U.S. News & World Report, nurse practitioner is the #1 best job in the nation, boasting a 46% growth rate through 2033.
Salary Potential
The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that the median annual salary for nurse practitioners was $128,490 in 2023, but many factors can affect how much you earn, such as where you live and in which sector you practice.
Work Environment
While many Family Nurse Practitioners choose to work in private practice, they can work in a variety of settings, including:
- Physicians’ offices
- Clinics
- Schools
- Home health care
- Nursing care facilities
Professional Associations
The following professional associations may provide useful career resources and continuing education opportunities for family nurse practitioners:
American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP)
American Nurses Association (ANA)
International Family Nursing Association (IFNA)
Nurse Practitioner Associates for Continuing Education (NPACE)
EdD Career Outlook
AIC’s Online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and Administration is designed to produce leaders who can influence organizations, understand how people learn, and effect change. Training and development managers, post-secondary teachers, and corporate trainers are all occupations that the BLS projects will grow faster than most other jobs for a decade or more.
Salary Potential
The salary potential of EdD graduates varies based on field, but each profession offers high-paying growth and professional development opportunities. Here are a few examples of the median salaries of potential job opportunities based on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data:
- Education Administrators (kindergarten through secondary) - $103,460
- Education Administrators (Postsecondary) - $122,010
- Post Secondary Teachers - $84,380
- Training and Development Managers - $125,040
Work Environment
An EdD opens graduates up to a variety of potential career pathways, both in and outside of the classroom. Here are just a few sample job titles that graduates with an EdD could qualify for:
- High School Principal
- Superintendent
- Vice Principal
- Academic Dean
- Registrar
- Adjunct Professor
- Learning and Development Director
- Chief Operating Officer (COO)
EdD vs Ph.D.
Wondering how an EdD differs from earning a Ph.D.? Learn how an EdD can help you take the next step in your career in less time and lower costs than a Ph.D.:
EdD
- Practitioner-based (still includes research but focused on improving practice)
- Prepares students to become a higher-level administrator
- Can be full-time programs, but typically designed as part-time
- Program is self-funded
- 60 credits
- Complete in 2-3 years
PhD
- Research intensive (theoretic focus)
- Prepares a student to become faculty member
- Typically need to be a student full-time
- Typically receives funding
- 90 credits
- Complete in 3-4 years
