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Crisis counselor education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a crisis counselor. Crisis counselors usually study psychology, social work, or sociology. 64% of crisis counselors hold a bachelor's degree, and 23% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 6,043 real crisis counselor resumes to see exactly what crisis counselor education sections show.
The most common colleges for crisis counselors are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.
There are also many online crisis counselor courses to help get the education required to be a crisis counselor.
There are certain crisis counselor certifications that you should consider. These crisis counselor certifications include National Certified Counselor (NCC) and Pastoral Counseling Certification.
What education do you need to become a crisis counselor?
What degree do you need to be a crisis counselor?
- Bachelor's, 64%
- Master's, 23%
- Associate, 9%
- High School Diploma, 2%
- Other Degrees, 2%
What should I major in to become a crisis counselor?
- Psychology, 35%
- Social Work, 15%
- Sociology, 6%
- Criminal Justice, 5%
- Other Majors, 39%
Most common colleges for crisis counselors
| Crisis counselor common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Phoenix | 9.97% |
| Florida State University | 8.70% |
| Pennsylvania State University | 6.49% |
| Liberty University | 5.85% |
| New York University | 5.70% |
Best majors for crisis counselors
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psychology | 34.6% |
| 2 | Social Work | 15.4% |
| 3 | Sociology | 5.8% |
| 4 | Criminal Justice | 5.4% |
| 5 | School Counseling | 4.8% |
Best colleges for crisis counselors
The best colleges for crisis counselors are Northwestern University, Johns Hopkins University, and University of Pennsylvania.
A crisis counselor with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for crisis counselors. 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 crisis counselors.
1. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Enrollment
31,503
2. Hunter College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,182
Enrollment
16,205
3. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
4. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$53,948
Enrollment
17,238
5. New York University
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$51,828
Enrollment
26,339
6. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$8,987
Enrollment
18,946
7. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
8. SUNY at Albany
Albany, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$10,011
Enrollment
13,434
9. San Jose State University
San Jose, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,796
Enrollment
27,125
10. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$59,430
Enrollment
8,216
20 best online courses for crisis counselors
Advertising disclosure
1. Crisis Communications
Crisis Communications is designed to empower professionals with the knowledge and skills to effectively navigate and respond to crisis situations through interviews...
2. Psychological First Aid
Learn to provide psychological first aid to people in an emergency by employing the RAPID model: Reflective listening, Assessment of needs, Prioritization, Intervention, and Disposition. Utilizing the RAPID model (Reflective listening, Assessment of needs, Prioritization, Intervention, and Disposition), this specialized course provides perspectives on injuries and trauma that are beyond those physical in nature. The RAPID model is readily applicable to public health settings, the workplace, the...
3. Crisis Intervention Seminar
The emphasis is on the development of fundamental clinical skills in the area of crisis intervention...
4. Public Relations: Media Crisis Communications
Public Relations: You Can Shape and Control Your Media Messages at The Worst Possible Times...
5. The Global Financial Crisis
Former U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Timothy F. Geithner and Professor Andrew Metrick survey the causes, events, policy responses, and aftermath of the recent global financial crisis...
6. ERPO: A Civil Approach to Gun Violence Prevention Teach-Out
Evidence shows that 1 life is saved for every 10-20 Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs) issued. ERPOs are legally issued civil orders that allow people on the front lines to ask a court to prevent a person at imminent risk of harm to themselves or others from purchasing or possessing firearms during a critical period of risk. As of October 2020, ERPO laws have been enacted by nineteen states and the District of Columbia and while some aspects differ by state, the general process for applying...
7. [Accredited] Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) Counselor
Learn DBT in depth, start conducting sessions with ready to use templates, and set up counseling practice within weeks!...
8. Addiction & Mental Health (Dual Diagnosis) Integrative 12hrs
Substance Abuse & Mental Health Interventions: Drug & Alcohol Addiction & Mental Health - Integrative Holistic Approach...
9. Health in Complex Humanitarian Emergencies
The Center for Humanitarian Emergencies is a partnership between CDC's Emergency Response and Recovery Branch and the Rollins School of Public Health that drives global collaboration, research and evidence based training to improve the lives and well-being of populations impacted by humanitarian emergencies. - Center for Humanitarian Emergencies: http://www.che.emory.edu/ - CDC's Emergency Response and Recovery Branch: http://www.cdc.gov/globalhealth/healthprotection/errb/index.html This course...
10. How to foster conversation in Facebook community groups
In this guided project, you will learn about Facebook community groups and how to build effective communities, learn how to create your own community group, learn how improve your group engagement, learn how to create meaningful conversation in your community group and how to avoid mistakes. By the end of this project, you will have learned about the importance of using community groups, build your own community group, and make your group powerful to increase engagement...
11. Addiction & Mental Health - Chemically Speaking Two (2hrs)
Substance Abuse & Mental Health Interventions - Understand Drug & Alcohol Addiction & Mental Health. How to help people...
12. Fire Safety and Prevention Planning
Become an expert in understanding Fire Safety and Prevention Planning for your workplaces and organizations...
13. Mental Health First Aid Skills -
This course is designed to provide the tools and knowledge for learners to help and support those experiencing MH issues...
14. Certified Spiritual Counselor & Psychology EmpathACCREDITED
Use a humanistic, soul care approach using strategy, positive psychology, emotional/impulse responses & natural empathy...
15. Professional Certification in Counseling - Fully Accredited
Become Professional Counselor (Counsellor)...
16. Fundamentals of Business Crisis Management
Be in control when the going gets tough...
17. Couples Counselling using Systemic Family Therapy
Help people build stronger relationships and marriages by learning couples counselling skills...
18. Mental Health and Wellness Professional (MHW) Diploma Course
Discover a flexible and comprehensive way of understanding mental health as a Certified Mental Health Professional (MHP)...
19. Mental Health Ambassador Certificate
Be a leader in improving society's mental health and learn to provide mental health first aid...
20. Solution-Focused Brief Therapy
Learn SFBT skills for creative conversations and better outcomes. With video of live sessions...
Top 10 most affordable universities for crisis counselors
The most affordable schools for crisis counselors are Baruch College of the City University of New York, hunter college of the city university of new york, and california state university - long beach.
If the best universities for crisis counselors 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 crisis counselors.
1. Baruch College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,262
Cost of attendance
14,046
2. Hunter College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,182
Cost of attendance
13,998
3. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
4. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
5. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
6. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
7. California State University - Fullerton
Fullerton, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,886
Cost of attendance
17,645
8. Florida International University
Miami, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,556
Cost of attendance
19,434
9. Minot State University
Minot, ND • Private
In-state tuition
$7,064
Cost of attendance
15,576
10. California State University - Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,942
Cost of attendance
14,469
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for crisis counselors
The hardest universities for crisis counselors to get into are Northwestern University, Johns Hopkins University, and University of Pennsylvania.
Some great schools for crisis counselors 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 crisis counselors 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. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
2. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
3. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
4. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,506
5. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
6. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
7. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
8. Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA • Private
Admissions rate
28%
SAT average
1,429
9. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
10. Fordham University
Bronx, NY • Private
Admissions rate
46%
SAT average
1,354
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for crisis counselors
The easiest schools for crisis counselors to get into are Notre Dame de Namur University, mount saint mary's university, and barry university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a crisis counselor 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 crisis counselors.
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. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
4. Kean University
Union, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
991
5. Nyack College
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
999
6. Life University
Marietta, GA • Private
Admissions rate
94%
SAT average
979
7. Texas Woman's University
Denton, TX • Private
Admissions rate
87%
SAT average
1,059
8. College of New Rochelle, The
New Rochelle, NY • Private
Admissions rate
83%
SAT average
982
9. Ottawa University
Ottawa, KS • Private
Admissions rate
78%
SAT average
1,024
10. Rosemont College
Rosemont, PA • Private
Admissions rate
89%
SAT average
1,026
Average crisis counselor salary by education level
| Crisis counselor education level | Crisis counselor salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $56,151 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $47,849 |
Crisis counselor education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common community and social services questions.
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025