Career Change - NEED YOUR HELP

I am currently a computer programmer but am considering getting a masters degree to change my career to counseling. I have some questions for any counselors that could help me:
- I'm planning on getting a master's degree from Liberty University (liberty.edu). If anyone is familiar with it do you recommend it? If not, what would you recommend and why. I live in Michigan.
- One conern I have is how different counseling is from computer programming as far as transferable skills. I'd like to know what I can offer in an interview as skills I already have.
- Being I'm now 37 what can I expect as the prospects of finding an entry level position in counseling once I graduate in about 4 years? Will I still have a chance.
- Could you give me an idea of what an average day is like for you? What you do other than just counseling a patient.
Any other advice you can give me would be greatly appreciated!

Hmm... well, when I looked at clinical programs, I was pretty dissatisfied with Liberty's offerings to be honest. It seemed to be an underdeveloped program with nothing particularly appealing about it, to be honest.
As far as work goes, an MA-level counselor is going to be limited in scope. You will likely hit a pretty low salary ceiling (e.g., $40-50k/yr at best). You will also need to obtain masters-level licensure as a counselor. Do you have a specific population you hope to work with?

I changed careers, sort of, from computer programming. that is, i got laid off and went to grad school in a different field. but although I mostly enjoyed getting my BS CS, i didn't much like being a professional programmer so I probably would have done it anyway.

I say "sort of" because although I'm a grad student now, a lot of what I do still involves data processing that is a lot easier since I have the skills (databases, programming and concepts). It's a huge advantage over other people in my program.

What about programming do you want to get away from? I remember it being very isolating and lonely, and often frustrating with business demands. but it paid good and programming makes you feel powerful.

e_sort,
It can be lonely. The biggest thing about it is I don't feel lasting worth to it for me. I feel useful when I'm able to help people in a direct and tangable way. Teaching is one way I've found this but it didn't quite fit exactly. Counseling appears to offer more of this.
Yes, the pay is good I'm just not sure I want to do this type of work for the rest of my life. You sound like you have a pretty good understanding about what the field is like so you probably understand when I say the demands are burning me out. Thanks for your input!

apumic,
So would you recommend getting a doctorate directly instead of a masters? Would I still need the additional licenses you mentioned for a masters if I had a doctorate? What is the pay level for a doctorate?
I think I would like to help adolecents and adults mainly but children would okay too. Is that what you meant by a specific population?

Liberty's good. I wonder why you wouldn't go to a college closer to your home though. They all cost about the same except for the big guns. Staying in your home State gives you a discount.

If you don't have the Christian education and want it, that's fine. I took some CEUs from Liberty after I moved back home to FL and had changed from education to counseling through two other schools. If you aren't used to being around Christians, if you aren't active in your home church and living cleanly, then attending Liberty will be doubly difficult. It can be exciting though.

No matter where you go, don't believe everything they teach you.

Liberty's program will ALLOW you to seek licensure from your home State (wherever you plan to work.) It isn't a given, sanctioned by the APA. But it's coursework is accepted.

You can counsel until you fall asleep or die in the chair in your office in session. I mean a ripe old age. (But if you're Christian, you know the rapture is about to occur any day so that won't matter?)

Liberty also has...oh what IS the current term ... online courses...you know. You would still have to attend and do the clinicals though.

Good wishes!

One of the things to consider if you're going to become a counselor or therapist is whether the program is accredited by the professional body (either APA or the counseling one) and whether that is a requirement in your state. There are a number of states which require schools to be approved, as well as specific courses and you need to know Michigan's rules while looking at all schools. If not, you may have a MA but be unable to get licensed, get the required internship, or practice. This has happened to a number of people I know who were pursuing their psychology degrees online so take the time to check with your state boards and look into state schools. I know Michigan had a great counseling program at Oakland U -- going to a local state school might really help address these problems.

Have you ever considered being a life coach? Perhaps a way to combine both your computer work and your desire to help others.

Good luck in whatever you choose.

To Ellen Ritter,

How are insurance reimburisments for a "life coach"? Or is it all out of pocket?

Transferrable skills: Listening to what another person needs; satisfaction in providing help; critical thinking; problem solving; patience...

Can you say why counselling appeals to you?

Currently there isn't insurance reimbursement for life coaching so it's out of pocket (and often a lot less then therapists) although there are some medical and insurance groups who are beginning to include life coaches in their wellness programs so who knows whether this will change.

In some ways, given how medically oriented care has become, it makes sense that coaching isn't covered as it really doesn't focus on illness but on helping people create their best lives, to become more fulfilled, happy, etc. so whether we value that may be the question.