If you’re aiming to work in the mental health field, or already have a job with an undergraduate qualification, it’s always a good time to consider furthering your studies. Postgraduate courses can be great for learning new skills and broadening employment opportunities.
For example, a postgraduate study like an accredited online masters in mental health counseling can enhance earning potential and job prospects. The course can also prepare you for the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) exam, which is invaluable for a career in mental health.
Mental health-related jobs that require a master’s qualification, like a licensed professional counselor, are some of the fastest-growing occupations in the United States. For example, general mental health counselors are expected to grow at least 18% in the coming decade.
So, if you’re feeling underappreciated in your current role, or looking to further your career—now is the time to look into a Master’s in Mental Health. We’ve listed signs to look out for, signaling it might be time to further your studies and the steps to take.
Signs it’s time to take the next step
Even in a fast-growing field like mental health, an undergraduate degree can only take you so far in your career. So, let’s talk about the telltale signs it might be time to open back up the textbooks and go back to studying.
1. You’re Feeling Underutilized
Feeling underutilized or underappreciated in the workplace is common across all industries—even in rewarding fields like healthcare. In a recent study, one-third of the respondents felt like they weren’t reaching their full potential in the workplace and their positions.
It’s common to work in the mental health sector with just an undergraduate degree, however, that also means you’re limited in helping your patients. Postgraduate studies can make a massive difference in unlocking more job responsibilities and the degree to which you can assist people in need.
For example, the difference could be being able to diagnose and treat clients, rather than just talking them through their issues and referring them to someone else.
2. Experiencing Burnout
Burnout and emotional fatigue are extremely common among mental health service providers, like counselors. Recent studies have found that between 21 and 61 percent of mental health practitioners are experiencing burnout or emotional fatigue.
If you’re experiencing burnout in your current role but don’t want to leave the mental health sector, postgraduate studies is a great opportunity. If you have a master’s qualification under your belt, you’ll be able to work in a diverse range of positions compared to when you only have an undergraduate degree.
For example, furthering your studies can help if you want a change of scene from a client-facing job. If you want to go into the research side of mental health, you’ll have to pursue postgraduate courses.
3. Wanting Better Job Opportunities
Working in the same job or being limited to being able to only apply for certain roles can be frustrating. If you’re wanting a more diverse range of opportunities, further studying can be the key that unlocks new doors for you.
If earning potential and pay are important to you, then considering a master’s is a must. Along with experience, the more qualifications and credentials you have will help with negotiating for a better salary.
Jobs that require a postgraduate qualification also typically have a higher starting rate than roles that only require an undergraduate degree.
4. Personal Growth
Furthering your studies doesn’t have to be only about your career and professional growth. Pursuing postgraduate studies can also be for your own personal development and the feeling of achievement.
Studying for a master’s in mental health can even teach you skills that you can apply in your everyday life, too. These skills, like communication, empathy, and resilience, can be applied to situations in your personal life.
5. Looking to Expand Your Skill Set
Sometimes, a job can only take you so far when it comes to learning new skills. If you’ve been in the same position for years, it can be limiting if you’re looking to expand your skill set.
Although companies sometimes offer programs or professional development classes, it’s not always an option. So, if you want to grow as a mental health service provider, and it doesn’t seem possible in your current role, considering a master’s in mental health is a good opportunity.
6. Wanting a Challenge
Wanting to challenge yourself if you’ve been working in the same position for years is normal. If you’re itching for a life filled with thought-provoking challenges and problem-solving obstacles to overcome, it’s time to consider continuing your studies.
Postgraduate studies in mental health are more challenging than their undergraduate counterparts. You’ll get to explore the different methodologies and research in-depth instead of just studying the foundational knowledge.
If you have a master’s qualification, it’ll open up more challenging employment opportunities, too. You’ll be able to take on roles working with higher-need clients and in challenging settings, like hospitals or the emergency department.
Preparing Yourself
When considering postgraduate studies, it’s important to prepare yourself. Jumping back into studying isn’t a walk in the park for everyone, especially if it’s been a few years since you’ve hit those textbooks.
Along with considering how studying will fit into your everyday life, especially if you’re already working—we recommend thinking about the following factors, too.
Admission Requirements
The admission requirements for a postgraduate study, like a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling, will depend on the tertiary institution. The most common requirements typically include:
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
- Minimum GPA of 3.0 (some institutions will consider applicants with a 2.75 GPA).
- Professional letters of recommendation.
- Transcripts from previous institutions you’ve attended.
Most institutions also require you to write a personal statement and conduct an interview as part of the enrollment process. They can be great ways to express why you’re passionate about mental health and deserve to be in the postgraduate program.
Study Flexibility
Since the pandemic and the rise of the internet, more educational institutions are flexible when it comes to studying options. So, when preparing yourself for a postgraduate course, consider whether online or external options are important to you.
If you’re someone who values work-life balance, there are accredited institutions that offer online master’s programs. For some students, online learning has also been proven to be more beneficial for their studying.
