Counseling and Applied Psychological Science (Counseling Military Members and Veterans), BS
Would you enjoy helping those who are part of the military service community? Gain an integrative understanding of the impact of service on the well-being of military members, veterans and families. Prepare for growing employment opportunities to provide military community and family support.
Quick facts
Locations
Courses
or MAT 170 Precalculus
Additional facts
STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
International students (F1), this program is not eligible for the STEM-OPT extension.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Program description
The Bachelor of Science program in counseling and applied psychological science focuses on the promotion of psychological well-being. You learn basic counseling skills and techniques to complement a variety of social science and health majors, including psychology, public health, interdisciplinary studies, social work and the humanities.
The concentration in counseling military members and veterans provides you with foundational skills and knowledge that are critical in your work with veterans, military populations and military families. You take interdisciplinary courses to better understand the U.S. military, focusing on the specific psychosocial experiences of service members and the mental health needs of this population.
Graduates of this program are not license-eligible as professional counselors.
Why specialize in counseling military members and veterans at ASU?
In this program, you find genuine flexibility in how, when and where you complete this concentration, letting your education fit the rhythm of your life.
Additional details
You can take part in both virtual and in-person events across ASU. The Office for Veteran and Military Academic Engagement hosts panels, discussions, writing activities, and other gatherings throughout the year that connect directly to this concentration.
You can also tap into resources including the Office for Veterans and Military Academic Engagement, the Pat Tillman Veteran Center, the Veteran's Upward Bound Program, the Student Veterans Club, and the ASU Veterans Recruitment and Advocacy Team.
Courses
Explore a sample list of courses you may take in this program.
| Sample courses |
|---|
| CAP 120 Introduction to Counseling |
| CAP 220 Self in a Multicultural Society |
| CAP 240 Counseling Skills |
| CAP 290 Research Methods in Counseling and Psychology |
| CAP 310 Addictions I: Foundations and Basic Principles |
| CAP 320 Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy |
Course checksheet and curriculum archive
The curriculum checksheet displays this program's required courses and other requirements you must complete for graduation.
Current ASU students, see how your courses can apply to another major and find out how to change your major (opens in new window).
Already completed some college courses? Build on your success.
If you earned college credit outside ASU, our transfer tools map out your progress towards a degree and help you plan next steps.
See how your credits may apply (opens in new window)What you'll learn
The following learning outcomes highlight some of the knowledge and skills you'll develop to support your future success.
- Distinguish counseling skills used in service delivery through mock sessions and field work.
- Evaluate ethical judgment within a multicultural framework when working with patients/clients.
- Evaluate key aspects of military culture, structures, and systems that impact individuals' psychological well-being.
Admission requirements
Here are the admission and application details
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
First year (opens in new window) | Transfer (opens in new window) | International (opens in new window) | Readmission (opens in new window)
A current ASU student has no additional requirements for changing majors.
Students should visit the Change of Major form (opens in new window) for information about how to change a major to this program.
Explore expanded study opportunities
When you pursue concurrent degrees (also known as a “double major”), you earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. Working with your academic advisor, you can create your own concurrent degree combination. Some combinations are not possible due to high levels of overlap in curriculum.
To make a positive impact in the lives of others, students must understand the diverse sets of experiences, backgrounds and cultures that shape the people with whom they wish to work. When studying abroad, students have the opportunity to gain firsthand experience in a wide variety of cultures and communities. Global Education programs provide students with a distinct global perspective, enabling them to have an impact.
Paying for college
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimate
Build the career and future you want
Our graduates are prepared for a variety of career paths, including:
| Career | Growth | Median Salary | More Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Addictions Counselor | 18.4% | $59,350 | Learn more |
| Advocate | 7.4% | $45,930 | Learn more |
| Behavioral Health Specialist | 2.3% | $71,900 | Learn more |
| Community Health Worker | 12.7% | $51,850 | Learn more |
| Counselor (General) | 5.9% | $50,860 | Learn more |
| Mental Health Counselor | 18.4% | $59,350 | Learn more |
| Patient Advocate | 5.9% | $50,290 | Learn more |
| Rehabilitation Counselor | 2.2% | $46,850 | Learn more |
Example job titles and salaries listed are not necessarily entry level, and students should take into consideration how years of experience and geographical location may affect pay scales. Some jobs also may require advanced degrees, certifications or state-specific licensure.
Data obtained from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) under sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).
More about careers
Careers this counseling military members and veterans concentration prepares you for
Program graduates are prepared with an excellent foundation to enter graduate degree programs in disciplines such as counselor education, counseling psychology, clinical psychology, social work and family studies, counseling and related fields.
Graduates have strong opportunities in federal employment. The Department of Veterans Affairs employs nearly 400,000 civilians, and more than 4 million government jobs are posted each month, including more than 100,000 in Arizona. Job postings in the state are expected to grow nearly 6% over the next five years, with an average salary of $84,000.
While clinical practice requires a graduate degree and licensure, a bachelor's degree in psychology --- such as a degree in counseling and applied psychological science --- opens doors to many careers. Graduates often work as human resource specialists, educators, social service providers, or health and allied health technicians, earning a median annual salary of about $50,000.https://www.psychology.org/resources/jobs-with-a-bachelor-of-arts-in-psychology
Department of Defense postings reflect these trends, with more than 7,600 openings in education, family support, wellness and mental health. Jobs for substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counselors are projected to grow 17% from 2024 to 2034.https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/substance-abuse-behavioral-disorder-and-mental-health-counselors.htm
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Prospective students should fill out the Request for Information form.
School of Counseling and Counseling Psychology
|
SANCA 233
CISA@asu.edu
480-727-1526
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.









