by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying Trauma Counseling covers A Program That Focuses On Understanding Elements Of Traumatic Exposure, Trauma-Sensitive Care, And Crisis Intervention. Includes Instruction In Disaster Response, Grief And Loss Counseling, Crisis Intervention And Management, Trauma Counseling, Neurobiology Of Trauma, Ptsd And Combat-Related Trauma, Relational Trauma And Treatment Of Trauma-Related Disorders. Read on to learn the essential details every trauma counseling major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering trauma counseling programs.
Across the country, trauma counseling is a popular field of study, with 161 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Trauma Counseling Schools ranking analyzes these 12 schools to determine the best overall colleges for trauma counseling students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of trauma counseling programs later in this article.
Studies in Trauma Counseling emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations trauma counseling graduates commonly enter.
Skills emphasized by a trauma counseling program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a trauma counseling major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several trauma counseling degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 8 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 153 |
People currently working in careers related to trauma counseling tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 89.3% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 7.1% |
| First professional degree | 3.6% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in trauma counseling careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in trauma counseling can lead to many career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to trauma counseling.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to trauma counseling.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Mental Health Counselors | 246,978 | 2.8% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of trauma counseling graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $46,066 |
| 4 years | $46,824 |
| 5 years | $52,641 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for trauma counseling graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers trauma counseling grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Mental Health Counselors | $72,983 |
With 12 different trauma counseling programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased trauma counseling school rankings to help you.
Students interested in trauma counseling, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
