Human Services Counseling vs. Psychology

When considering psychology vs. counseling degrees, it can be challenging to understand what differentiates them. Both degrees deal with the study of mental health techniques to better the lives of others, but there are some key differences to consider based on your specific interests and career goals. In this article, we will examine some of the differences between these programs and what type of students are best suited for each.

Counseling vs. Psychology Degrees

Degrees in psychology and counseling have many similarities, but there are important distinctions between the two when it comes to training and career goals. Students who seek psychology degrees generally have an interest in pursuing behavioral health in some capacity and study a variety of subjects to build a solid foundation of knowledge within the larger scientific discipline. Students who seek counseling degrees usually have the goal of getting the hands-on experience necessary to confidently pursue entry-level counseling or human services careers upon graduation.

While both degree types lead to rewarding opportunities in mental health, psychology tends to be a broader study of a scientific discipline, while counseling is a more targeted focus on a potential career path in human services.

Human Services Counseling

A degree in human services counseling gives students training in subject areas like case management, intervention techniques, social environments, sociology and even psychology. These are generally examined through the lens of counseling with a focus on practical application. Courses are designed to help students build skills in communication, professional writing and more to prepare them for entry-level roles in counseling and human services careers.

Concentration Options

Some human services counseling programs, like the one found at East Central University, offer concentrations that allow students to further tailor their degrees. ECU’s Bachelor of Arts in Human Services Counseling program offers two unique options: counseling and rehabilitation. The counseling concentration prepares students for counseling careers through the study of in-demand topics like intervention techniques and vocational testing, while the rehabilitation concentration focuses on disability and intervention techniques to prepare students for work as disability specialists.

Curriculum Content

There are certain courses a student might encounter in a human services counseling program they wouldn’t find in a psychology program. These are generally designed to give hands-on training. Below are a couple examples.

• Human Behavior and Social Environment: In human behavior and social environment courses, students study theoretical frameworks drawn from the biological, social and behavioral sciences to understand the life span and range of the social systems in which people live. A course like this might also cover the ways social systems promote or deter achievement of health and well-being.
• Interviewing Techniques: An interviewing techniques course helps students develop basic communication interviewing skills used in various human services fields. These courses familiarize students with communication theory as well as the stages, planning and styles of interviewing.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates of a human services counseling program will have demonstrated the ability to integrate human services counseling theory with practice and go on to work in a wide range of environments such as schools, courts and community health centers. Some other career examples include:

• Human services assistant
• Case manager
• Alcohol and drug addiction counselor

Regardless of the concentration option, human services counseling programs are designed to be pragmatic, hands-on options for students who want to work in the counseling field. They also provide a solid foundation for those who wish to continue their education by pursuing a degree in clinical mental health counseling. From helping those struggling with addictions to working in case management, there are no shortage of fulfilling options for graduates to work toward.

Psychology Degree

Those seeking degrees in psychology are usually interested in learning about the science of human behavior. These degrees provide a broad understanding of behavioral health and cover many topics like child psychology, professional communication, mental health testing, and more. Courses in psychology programs are designed to help students effectively communicate in professional settings, study how the mind works and apply mental health testing.

Curriculum Content

Psychology courses you wouldn’t find in a human services counseling program typically deal more with history and science. A degree in psychology will give students a solid foundation in the discipline so they can either start a career or continue their schooling upon graduation. A couple examples of standard psychology courses are:

• History and Systems of Psychology: In a history and systems of psychology course, students study distinct historical periods and learn about different principal fields of psychological thought. These courses emphasize the evolution of the scientific method and its application to behavior.
• Psychological Tests and Measurements: In a psychological tests and measurements course, students learn about testing principles and procedures with a special emphasis on intelligence tests, aptitude tests, achievement tests, interest inventories, developmental scales and group personality tests.

Learning Outcomes

Upon graduation from a psychology program, students will have developed a strong understanding of the history, science and practice of different forms of psychology. Graduates typically go into a wide range of disciplines. Some, like case management and mental health counseling, are similar to human services counseling outcomes. Others might include:

• Research Assistant
• Psychiatric technician
• Case Manager

Earning an undergrad degree in psychology is also a great way to further understand your interests and prepare for graduate school for more specific and targeted study. Learning about human behavior has many practical applications across disciplines, so it can be an ideal starting point for a longer educational trajectory.

Get Started in Mental Health Support Today

Regardless of whether you want to pursue a human services counseling or psychology degree program, you’re probably interested in helping people, providing them support and improving their lives. East Central University offers Bachelor of Science in Psychology – Behavioral Health and Bachelor of Arts in Human Services Counseling programs that are taught by experts and designed to give you the practical skills you need to make a difference. Take the next step in your career journey. Find out more today.