Educational Counseling Degree Overview

Educational counselors provide individuals and groups with career and educational counseling.In school settings, they work with students with academic and social development problems and those with special needs.School counselors help students evaluate their abilities, interests and talents in order to develop realistic academic and career goals.They use interviews, counseling sessions, and interest and aptitude assessment tests to evaluate and advise students.

School counselors at the elementary level observe younger children in the classroom and during play activities and confer with their teachers and parents to evaluate the children�s strengths, problems, or special needs.At the secondary level, they advise students regarding college majors, admission requirements, entrance exams, financial aid, technical schools and apprenticeship programs.They help students develop job search skills, such as writing resumes and practicing for interviews.

School counselors at all levels help students understand and deal with social, behavioral, and personal problems.They provide special services, including alcohol and drug prevention programs and classes in conflict resolution.

Education, Training & Degrees

All states require school counselors to hold a state school counseling certificate and to have completed at least some graduate courses.Most require a Master�s degree.(A Bachelor�s certificate often qualifies an individual to work as a counseling aide.)Accredited Master�s degree programs require 48 to 60 semester hours of study, including a period of supervised clinical experience in counseling. Some states require public school counselors to have both counseling and teaching certificates and to have had some teaching experience.Counselors must be aware of educational and training requirements that are often very detailed and that vary by area and by specialty.Students should check with state and local governments to determine which requirements apply to them.

Educational Counseling programs in colleges and universities are usually found in departments of education or psychology.Courses are grouped into eight areas:human growth and development, social and cultural diversity, relationships, group work, career development, assessment, research, and professional identity.

Career Opportunities

According to the U. S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), overall employment of counselors is expected to grow faster than the average for other occupations.The number of job openings that arise should exceed the number of graduates of counseling programs, and many jobs should open up with numerous counselors retiring or leaving the profession.

Employment of school counselors is expected to rise with increases in student enrollment at postsecondary schools and colleges.Also, more states are directing elementary schools to hire counselors.Increased job responsibilities should also lead to increases in employment.Counselors are becoming more involved in crisis and preventive counseling and are helping students with issues such as drug and alcohol abuse and suicide.

Individuals interested in counseling should have a strong desire to help other people and should have the ability to inspire respect, trust and confidence.They must follow the code of ethics associated with their respective certifications.If this sounds like something you'd like to do, check out the opportunities in Educational Counseling!

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