How to Become a Counselor in Ohio

Counselors can be licensed in Ohio at the master's degree level.

In Ohio, a person can become licensed or certified as a counselor at the master's degree level. A counselor must be licensed to receive the title professional counselor or certified to become a professional school counselor.

Instructions

1. Earn a bachelor's degree. The bachelor's degree does not have to be in the social sciences or education, but those areas of study may be helpful. Many counselors have bachelor's degrees in psychology, education or sociology.

2. Visit CACREP, Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs, to find an accredited counseling program in Ohio. For example, Ohio University, Youngstown State University and Wright State University offer graduate degrees in counseling.

3. Determine what school in Ohio has the program that is of interest. Many different areas of counseling are offered in Ohio graduate schools, including community counseling; school counseling; mental health counseling; and marital, family, and couples counseling.

4. Shadow a counselor or a volunteer at an agency to determine what area of counseling is of interest. Interview a counselor. Do research on the Internet. Contact someone at the graduate school to decide which program is the right fit.

5. Find out the graduate school application requirements. Most graduate schools want applicants to take the Graduate Record Examination, obtain letters of recommendation, write a statement of goals, and have a minimum grade point average from previous degrees.

6. Apply to the graduate school once all of the applicant requirements have been met. If accepted into the counseling program, spend at least two years full time (longer if part time) working on the degree. An internship is required of all counseling students. Know that the internship in counseling is generally unpaid and can take two semesters.

7. Take a graduation exit exam. Students will be advised by their professors and academic adviser based on the specialty they have chosen. Each counseling specialty has its own exam.

8. Apply for licensure or certification if needed. School counselors must become certified to work in the school system. Mental health counselors must be licensed to become a licensed professional counselor. School counselors need to contact the Ohio Department of Education to receive proper paperwork to proceed with certification. Counselors who want professional licensure to practice counseling should contact the Ohio State Government Counselor Licensure Board. Contact the academic adviser of the graduate school for help with paperwork.

References

• CACREP, Ohio Counseling Schools
• Ohio State Gov, Counselor Licensing
• Ohio Department of Education, Entry Level Counselors