Religious courses may benefit counseling students

Religious courses may benefit counseling students

For many new counselors, getting a client to open up can prove to be a difficult task. As a result, some campus-based and online colleges are tweaking their master's-level offerings to help these professionals gain their patients' trust.

The B. H. Carroll Theological Institute is one of these schools, as administrators recently announced the launch of a new master's program in counseling, The Dallas Morning News reports. In addition to traditional topics that are addressed by graduate programs in this field, this course of study will integrate religious and theological teachings.

Counselors who complete similar programs may be able to relate to their clients' beliefs and, eventually, prove to be trustworthy confidants. In addition, these graduates could see improved career prospects, as they may be able to take jobs with various organizations, such as hospitals, counseling centers or churches.

Generally, master's degree holders who wish to enter the counseling field are expected to have a great deal of employment options in the future. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 100,000 new positions will be available in this industry over the next eight years.

By Stefanie Hughes