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Primary counselor education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a primary counselor. Primary counselors usually study psychology, social work, or mental health counseling. 58% of primary counselors hold a bachelor's degree, and 24% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 1,866 real primary counselor resumes to see exactly what primary counselor education sections show.
The most common colleges for primary counselors are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.
There are also many online primary counselor courses to help get the education required to be a primary counselor.
There are certain primary counselor certifications that you should consider. These primary counselor certifications include Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADC) and Pastoral Counseling Certification.
What education do you need to become a primary counselor?
What degree do you need to be a primary counselor?
- Bachelor's, 58%
- Master's, 24%
- Associate, 12%
- High School Diploma, 2%
- Other Degrees, 4%
What should I major in to become a primary counselor?
- Psychology, 28%
- Social Work, 15%
- Human Services, 7%
- Other Majors, 42%
Most common colleges for primary counselors
| Primary counselor common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Phoenix | 10.05% |
| Walden University | 7.94% |
| University of Alabama at Birmingham | 6.35% |
| Pennsylvania State University | 6.35% |
| Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey | 6.35% |
Best majors for primary counselors
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psychology | 27.7% |
| 2 | Social Work | 15.5% |
| 3 | Mental Health Counseling | 7.6% |
| 4 | Human Services | 7.0% |
| 5 | Criminal Justice | 6.4% |
Best colleges for primary counselors
The best colleges for primary counselors are Northwestern University, Johns Hopkins University, and Washington University in St Louis.
A primary 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 primary 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 primary counselors.
1. Hunter College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,182
Enrollment
16,205
2. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Enrollment
31,503
3. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
4. California State University - Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,942
Enrollment
13,871
5. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$8,987
Enrollment
18,946
6. California State University - Fullerton
Fullerton, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,886
Enrollment
34,637
7. University of Washington
Seattle, WA • Private
In-state tuition
$11,207
Enrollment
30,905
8. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$53,948
Enrollment
17,238
9. New York University
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$51,828
Enrollment
26,339
10. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
20 best online courses for primary counselors
Advertising disclosure
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2. Health After Cancer: Cancer Survivorship for Primary Care
This course presents basic principles of cancer survivorship to primary-care physicians. Developed by a team of experts in caring for cancer survivors, and narrated by a primary-care physician, this course provides practical tips and tools that can be easily integrated into medical practice. You will learn about the complex physical and psychosocial needs and concerns of the growing number of cancer survivors, along with the key role that primary care physicians have in guiding these patients...
3. Addiction & Mental Health (Dual Diagnosis) Integrative 12hrs
Substance Abuse & Mental Health Interventions: Drug & Alcohol Addiction & Mental Health - Integrative Holistic Approach...
4. [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!...
5. Addiction & Mental Health - Chemically Speaking Two (2hrs)
Substance Abuse & Mental Health Interventions - Understand Drug & Alcohol Addiction & Mental Health. How to help people...
6. Crisis Intervention Seminar
The emphasis is on the development of fundamental clinical skills in the area of crisis intervention...
7. Abnormal Behavior & Clinical Psychology (Certificate)
Guiding students into the field of mental health services for either personal and/or professional development...
8. Managing mental health issues in the workplace
Learn how to support your own mental health and wellbeing and that of your staff...
9. Professional Anger & Aggression Counselling Diploma
Fully Accredited Diploma Course For Powerful Counselling Techniques For Anger & Aggression Management...
10. Professional Certification in Counseling - Fully Accredited
Become Professional Counselor (Counsellor)...
11. Counselling clients affected by the COVID-19 pandemic
Learn step by step, highly practical and rapid learning. Useful during and after the pandemic. CBT-REBT based...
12. Certified Spiritual Counselor & Psychology EmpathACCREDITED
Use a humanistic, soul care approach using strategy, positive psychology, emotional/impulse responses & natural empathy...
13. Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT): The Complete Course
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)...
14. Anger Management & Conflict Resolution Program - (4 hours)
How to manage anger and ensure it does not explode into rage. Enhance your life by building quality relationships...
15. Workplace Mental Health: A Manager's Ultimate Guide
How to manage mental health in the workplace to boost productivity and be the best boss!...
16. Couples Counselling using Systemic Family Therapy
Help people build stronger relationships and marriages by learning couples counselling skills...
17. 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...
18. Specialized Certificate Course in Psychological Counseling
The course develops your Practical Counseling Skills and Therapeutic Competencies...
19. Mental Health Ambassador Certificate
Be a leader in improving society's mental health and learn to provide mental health first aid...
20. 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)...
Top 10 most affordable universities for primary counselors
The most affordable schools for primary counselors 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 primary 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 primary counselors.
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. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,410
Cost of attendance
20,456
6. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
7. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
8. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
9. California State University - Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,942
Cost of attendance
14,469
10. Florida International University
Miami, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,556
Cost of attendance
19,434
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for primary counselors
The hardest universities for primary counselors to get into are Northwestern University, Johns Hopkins University, and Washington University in St Louis.
Some great schools for primary 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 primary 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. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,506
4. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
5. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
6. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
7. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
8. Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA • Private
Admissions rate
28%
SAT average
1,429
9. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,466
10. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for primary counselors
The easiest schools for primary counselors to get into are Notre Dame de Namur University, mount saint mary's university, and wayland baptist university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a primary 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 primary 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. Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, TX • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
1,003
4. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
5. Kean University
Union, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
991
6. Ottawa University
Ottawa, KS • Private
Admissions rate
78%
SAT average
1,024
7. Nyack College
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
999
8. University of North Texas at Dallas
Dallas, TX • Private
Admissions rate
83%
SAT average
992
9. Life University
Marietta, GA • Private
Admissions rate
94%
SAT average
979
10. Waynesburg University
Waynesburg, PA • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,080
Average primary counselor salary by education level
| Primary counselor education level | Primary counselor salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $50,828 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $41,379 |
Primary 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