APA-Affiliated Master's-Level Counselors

Abstract

Previous literature about the master's degree has focused largely on clinical psychology training and practice. To complement this body of literature, we surveyed all APA-affiliated master's-degree holders who identified their specialty as counseling. Similar to Perlman's (1985a) survey in which APA-affiliated master's-level clinicians were compared with Division 12 (Clinical) members, we compared our master's sample with a Division 17 (Counseling) doctoral-level sample. The master's-level counselors spent a large portion of their professional time performing psychotherapy/personal counseling, were employed primarily in practice rather than academic settings, and viewed themselves primarily as practitioners. They generally were satisfied with their graduate training and careers, but many indicated they would not reenter the counseling specialty if their lives could be lived over. Contrary to the Division 17 sample, the master's-level counselors engaged in little research or teaching and typically did not identify with the academic role.