Not all counseling careers require degrees. In fact, certain personal, educational, or professional experiences can be enough to qualify you to work as a peer, life skills, drug and alcohol counselor, and more.
Getting Started As a Counselor Without a Degree
Not every career position in the realm of counseling requires a degree. There are counseling positions requiring a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate level degree. But there are also many counseling positions that are open to people based on their personal, educational, or professional experiences.
The 3 Most Common Counseling Jobs That Don’t Require Degrees
Here are the three most common counseling positions that do not require a college degree. Keep in mind, though, some may have specific education requirements and certifications.
1. Peer Counselor
A peer counselor is someone who has experienced a mental health condition or other challenge. They use their personal experience to provide support and guidance to others who are going through similar experiences.
Peer counselors can work in a variety of settings, such as mental health clinics, hospitals, schools, and community organizations. They typically provide one-on-one or group counseling sessions. They may also lead workshops or support groups, or provide crisis intervention services. Peer counselors may work to advocate for the needs of people with mental health conditions, and raise awareness about mental health issues.
To become a peer counselor, you typically need to have some personal experience with a mental health condition or other challenge. You may also need to complete some training, although the specific requirements vary depending on the setting where you want to work. Some settings may require peer counselors to have a high school diploma or GED, while others may require a college degree.
2. Life Skills Counselor
A life skills counselor helps people address personal and professional issues. They help them develop and practice the skills they need to live independently and successfully in society. These skills can include things like money management, time management, communication skills, problem-solving skills, decision-making skills, job search skills, social skills, self-care skills, and more. In addition, life skills counselors provide support and encouragement, connect clients with other resources in the community, and help them set and achieve goals.
To qualify as a life skills counselor without a college degree, you will need to have experience working in a related field.
Another way to get started would be to work as a paraprofessional in a school, or as a counselor aide in a mental health clinic. This will give you the experience to move into a position as a life skills counselor.
Some states may also require life skills counselors to be licensed or certified.
3. Drug and Alcohol Counselor
An alcohol and drug counselor (ADC) is a mental health professional who helps people who are struggling with alcohol or drug addiction. ADCs work with individuals, families, and groups to provide support, education, and guidance. They help clients to understand their addiction, develop coping mechanisms, and create a recovery plan.
Alcohol and drug counselors work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, mental health clinics, rehabilitation centers, and private practices. They may also work with law enforcement agencies or the court system.
To become an alcohol and drug counselor without a college degree typically requires experience working in a related field, such as working as a paraprofessional in a mental health clinic, or as a counselor aide in a rehabilitation center.
Some states require certifications such as the Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) credential from the National Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC). To get certified, you typically need to have some personal experience with alcohol or drug addiction. You’ll also need to complete some training. Some states also require a degree.
Researching Available Certification Options
If the counseling position you seek requires certification, the good news is that many colleges, universities, and professional institutions offer online certifications for counselors without degrees.
The time required for acquiring a certification can range from a few days to a year.
You also can research certification programs on your state government’s Department of Health website.
After reviewing your options for certification programs, determine which one best suits your schedule, finances, and professional goals.
Getting Work Experience
In addition to completing a certification program, it’s also immensely helpful to gain related work experience in an entry-level role in a related field. This could be working as a receptionist or office assistant in a mental health clinic, or working as a home health aide for the disabled or elderly.
Applying for Entry-Level Positions
Be sure to include your certification and additional professional experiences in your cover letter and resume before you apply for an entry-level counseling position through your state government, social service agencies, or nonprofit organizations.