Mental Health Counseling
Mental illness in our country is a growing crisis. Staggering statistics demonstrate the need for more providers.*
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21% of adults experience mental illness — 55% do not receive treatment.
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1 in 10 children/teens experience depression that severely impacts their lives — 60% do not receive treatment.
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15% of adults have experienced a substance abuse disorder — 94% do not receive treatment.
There is an urgent demand for help, but the ratio of individuals to U.S. mental health care providers is 350:1. 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 22% growth in mental health counseling jobs through 2031, making it one of the fastest-growing professions in the U.S. There were 161,588 job postings in 2021, up 28% from 2018.
Salary Potential
The median annual wage for mental health counselors is $48,520 (BLS, May 2020), 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 up to $77,980.
Work Environment
Mental health counselors can work in a variety of care environments. In 2021, the largest employers were:
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Outpatient mental health and substance abuse centers 19%
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Individual and family services 15%
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Hospitals; state, local, and private 10%
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Residential mental health and substance abuse centers 9%
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Government 8%
Professional Associations
The following professional associations may provide useful career resources and continuing education opportunities for mental health counselors.
*The State of Mental Health in America, 2021
Occupational Therapy
Faculty shortages underline the urgency for qualified educators. In 2019, the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) reported the most common reasons for OT faculty shortages were due to factors such as impending retirements of current faculty and inexperienced or underqualified educators. Thirty-five percent of OT faculty plan to retire by 2024, and nearly 70% of occupational therapy programs reported more than one faculty vacancy. With a Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) from AIC, you can help fill the educator gap and shape the next generation of practicing occupational therapists.
Job Outlook
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 14% growth of occupational therapy jobs through 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Salary Potential
The median annual wage for occupational therapists is $85,570 (BLS, May 2020), but many factors can affect how much you earn.
Work Environment
Occupational therapists can work in a variety of care environments. In 2021, the largest employers were:
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Hospitals; state, local, and private 30%
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Offices of physical, occupational, and speech therapists 26%
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Elementary and secondary schools; state, local, and private 12%
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Home health care services 8%
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Nursing care facilities 7%
Professional Associations
The following professional associations may provide useful career resources and continuing education opportunities for occupational therapists.
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 the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, nurse practitioner is noted as the #2 best job in the U.S. and boasts a 46% growth rate through 2031.
Salary Potential
The median annual salary for nurse practitioners was $113,000 in 2021 (AANP.org), 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)
