Post job

Counseling services director education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a counseling services director. Counseling services directors usually study psychology, social work, or school counseling. 56% of counseling services directors hold a bachelor's degree, and 31% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 239 real counseling services director resumes to see exactly what counseling services director education sections show.

The most common colleges for counseling services directors are the Michigan State University and the Michigan State University.

There are also many online counseling services director courses to help get the education required to be a counseling services director.

What education do you need to become a counseling services director?

What degree do you need to be a counseling services director?

The most common degree for counseling services directors is bachelor's degree, with 56% of counseling services directors earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 31% and master's degree degree at 7%.
  • Bachelor's, 56%
  • Master's, 31%
  • Doctorate, 7%
  • Associate, 5%
  • Other Degrees, 1%

What should I major in to become a counseling services director?

You should major in psychology to become a counseling services director. 30% of counseling services directors major in psychology. Other common majors for a counseling services director include social work and school counseling.

Most common colleges for counseling services directors

Counseling services directors often get their degrees at Michigan State University, University of Phoenix, and University of South Florida. Here are the most common colleges for counseling services directors in the US based on their resumes.
Counseling services director common collegePercentages
Michigan State University12.73%
University of Phoenix9.09%
University of South Florida7.27%
Ohio State University5.45%
Chipola College5.45%

Best majors for counseling services directors

RankMajorPercentages
1Psychology29.6%
2Social Work12.2%
3School Counseling8.5%
4Counseling Psychology8.5%
5Sociology5.3%

Best colleges for counseling services directors

The best colleges for counseling services directors are Johns Hopkins University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.

A counseling services director with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for counseling services directors. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become counseling services directors.

1. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

2. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

In-state tuition

$53,740

Enrollment

5,567

3. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$50,420

Enrollment

7,582

4. New York University

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$51,828

Enrollment

26,339

5. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

6. Pennsylvania State University

University Park, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$18,454

Enrollment

40,108

7. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Enrollment

13,871

8. Hunter College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,182

Enrollment

16,205

9. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$8,987

Enrollment

18,946

10. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

20 best online courses for counseling services directors

Advertising disclosure

1. Couples Counselling using Systemic Family Therapy

udemy
4.7
(252)

Help people build stronger relationships and marriages by learning couples counselling skills...

2. Introduction to CBT: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

udemy
4.1
(4,774)

Online Counselling & Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Training Course...

3. [Accredited] Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) Counselor

udemy
4.3
(419)

Learn DBT in depth, start conducting sessions with ready to use templates, and set up counseling practice within weeks!...

4. Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT): The Complete Course

udemy
4.7
(291)

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)...

5. Abnormal Behavior & Clinical Psychology (Certificate)

udemy
4.4
(383)

Guiding students into the field of mental health services for either personal and/or professional development...

6. Professional Certification in Counseling - Fully Accredited

udemy
4.2
(386)

Become Professional Counselor (Counsellor)...

7. Fully Accredited Professional Counselling Diploma Course

udemy
4.4
(3,650)

An In Depth Counseling Diploma Course To Take Your Therapy Skills To A New Level - Talking Is The New Healing!...

8. CBT: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy For Therapists & Coaches

udemy
4.6
(1,500)

Comprehensive CBT Therapy Training Cognitive Behavior Therapy Practitioner Level Treat Anxiety, Depression & More...

9. Existential Therapy, Psychotherapy & Counselling

udemy
4.6
(595)

Helping Individuals to Live Meaningful, Free & Authentic Lives...

10. Art Therapy: Personal Development and Self Healing with Art

udemy
4.4
(527)

Arts Therapy heals ! Improve your Mental Health with 30 Art Therapy Exercises ...

11. Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) - ACCREDITED CERTIFICATE

udemy
4.5
(2,949)

Counselling and psychology approaches, theoretical knowledge and practice for counsellors to be, work from home / online...

12. Metacognitive Therapy

udemy
4.8
(315)

Learn MCT, a cognitive psychotherapy based on CBT, that helps clients tackle the root of their anxiety and depression...

13. Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) Certificate

udemy
4.7
(296)

Become a Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) practitioner and help people improve their mental health...

14. Accredited Professional Counselling Diploma For Sexual Abuse

udemy
4.5
(250)

Fully Accredited Course For Counsellors Of Sexual Abuse With Easy Techniques To Survive The Trauma Of Abuse...

15. Crisis Intervention Seminar

udemy
4.4
(634)

The emphasis is on the development of fundamental clinical skills in the area of crisis intervention...

16. Psychology and Therapy of Addictions -ACCREDITED CERTIFICATE

udemy
4.8
(1,618)

Working with alcohol and drugs addictions, substance misuse and rehabilitation helper, counselling, psychotherapy, coach...

17. Solution-Focused Brief Therapy

udemy
4.8
(1,374)

Learn SFBT skills for creative conversations and better outcomes. With video of live sessions...

18. Addiction & Mental Health (Dual Diagnosis) Integrative 12hrs

udemy
4.7
(1,529)

Substance Abuse & Mental Health Interventions: Drug & Alcohol Addiction & Mental Health - Integrative Holistic Approach...

19. Fully Accredited Professional Child Psychology Diploma

udemy
4.3
(1,436)

Learn or Specialise Your Therapy in Child Psychology with this Fully Accredited Diploma Course...

20. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Associate Life Coach

udemy
4.7
(1,026)

CBT: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Life Coaching Associate Coach Certificate in Cognitive Behavioural Coaching...

Top 10 most affordable universities for counseling services directors

The most affordable schools for counseling services directors are Hunter College of the City University of New York, baruch college of the city university of new york, and california state university - long beach.

If the best universities for counseling services directors are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for counseling services directors.

1. Hunter College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,182

Cost of attendance

13,998

2. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,262

Cost of attendance

14,046

3. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

4. California State University - Fullerton

Fullerton, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,886

Cost of attendance

17,645

5. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

6. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,410

Cost of attendance

20,456

7. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

8. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

9. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

10. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for counseling services directors

The hardest universities for counseling services directors to get into are Johns Hopkins University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.

Some great schools for counseling services directors are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for counseling services directors based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

2. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

3. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

4. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

Admissions rate

5%

SAT average

1,520

5. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

6. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

6%

SAT average

1,512

7. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

8. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

9. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

10. Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, MO • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,506

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for counseling services directors

The easiest schools for counseling services directors to get into are Notre Dame de Namur University, mount saint mary's university, and university of north texas at dallas.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a counseling services director without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for counseling services directors.

1. Notre Dame de Namur University

Belmont, CA • Private

Admissions rate

82%

SAT average

983

2. Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,031

3. University of North Texas at Dallas

Dallas, TX • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

992

4. Wayland Baptist University

Plainview, TX • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

1,003

5. Ottawa University

Ottawa, KS • Private

Admissions rate

78%

SAT average

1,024

6. Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,031

7. Kean University

Union, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

991

8. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

9. Texas Woman's University

Denton, TX • Private

Admissions rate

87%

SAT average

1,059

10. University of Baltimore

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

78%

SAT average

1,020

Average counseling services director salary by education level

According to our data, counseling services directors with a Doctorate degree earn the highest average salary, at $72,271 annually. Counseling services directors with a Master's degree earn an average annual salary of $66,705.
Counseling services director education levelCounseling services director salary
Master's Degree$66,705
Bachelor's Degree$54,855
Doctorate Degree$72,271

Counseling services director education FAQs

Search for counseling services director jobs

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Browse executive management jobs