Community Health Counseling: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Community Health Counseling equips professionals to bridge gaps between healthcare systems and underserved populations by fostering equitable access to essential services. This program cultivates expertise in navigating complex social and medical landscapes to empower communities through advocacy, education, and coordinated support.
- Public and Community Health: Focuses on improving population-wide well-being through preventive strategies, health surveillance, and community-based interventions.
- Human and Social Services: Explores the delivery, coordination, and ethical application of support systems designed to address socioeconomic and psychological challenges.
- Health Services Administration: Provides foundational knowledge in managing healthcare operations, resource allocation, and policy implementation within community settings.
- Group Counseling: Develops skills in facilitating therapeutic group dynamics to promote emotional resilience and collective problem-solving.
- Health Education: Emphasizes evidence-based methods for designing and delivering educational campaigns that drive healthy behaviors and informed decision-making.
- Group Advocacy: Trains professionals to mobilize communities around systemic issues, promoting social change through organized, strategic action.
- Cross-Cultural and Multilingual Communication: Builds competencies in culturally sensitive interaction and effective communication across diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds.
- Applicable Laws and Policies: Covers regulatory frameworks governing healthcare access, patient rights, privacy standards, and social service eligibility.
Community Health Counseling Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Community Health Counseling Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Community Health Counseling degrees, including Health Education Specialists and Community Health Workers. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 125,880 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Health Education Specialists 21-1091 | $63,000 | $42,210 - $112,900 | 65,150 | $30.29 |
| Community Health Workers 21-1094 | $51,030 | $37,930 - $78,560 | 60,730 | $24.54 |
Salary Comparison
Community Health Counseling Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $42,945 in Mississippi to $91,085 in District of Columbia—a 112% difference. The highest-paying states include District of Columbia, Maryland, and Georgia. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 125,880 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Community Health Counseling by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 100 institutions offering Community Health Counseling programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Community Health Counseling is found at James Madison University (JMU) (451 graduates), University of Arizona (107 graduates), Purdue University Global (101 graduates), University of Pennsylvania (Penn) (94 graduates), and Regent University (80 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 2,294 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Community Health Counseling programs
How much can I earn with a Community Health Counseling degree?
Salaries for Community Health Counseling graduates vary by role and location. Health Education Specialists earn a median of $63,000 annually, while Community Health Workers earn around $51,030. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in District of Columbia average $91,085 compared to $42,945 in Mississippi. Approximately 125,880 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Community Health Counseling programs?
Currently 104 accredited institutions offer Community Health Counseling degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include James Madison University (JMU) (451 graduates), University of Arizona (107 graduates), and Purdue University Global (101 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Community Health Counseling growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 1,376 in 2010 to a peak of 2,389 in 2020, before declining slightly to 2,298 in 2023-24. This represents a 67% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Community Health Counseling degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Health Education Specialists, Community Health Workers, . Related occupations employ approximately 125,880 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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