How Do You Become a Guidance Counselor?
Guidance counselors are trained to provide educational and vocational advice for children. The minimum education requirement for a licensed guidance counselor is a master's degree. Guidance counselors also work with students who have special needs. Individuals with an interest in guidance counseling careers must be passionate about helping others. Graduates from a program in guidance counseling must maintain their professional credentials by taking continuing education and professional development courses.
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Education
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Graduate guidance counseling programs are housed in education departments; the courses are designed to prepare students for their licensure requirements. Graduates from a guidance counseling program earn their Master of Education or M.Ed. degrees. Depending on the program, students who already hold graduate degrees in relevant fields may be eligible to work towards a Certificate of Advanced Study credential in guidance counseling. Guidance counseling programs offer classroom and hands-on training, which includes fieldwork and school-based supervised training.
Curriculum
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Guidance counselors receive a comprehensive instruction in theoretical and practical courses that combine topics in psychology and education. Students develop the necessary skills in counseling and assessment. Guidance counseling programs offer practical training to students through local partner schools. Specialized course highlights in counseling include prevention and group counseling, ethical school counseling, psychological testing and counseling diverse populations. Eligible candidates for guidance counseling programs must have a bachelor's degree in relevant fields of study and demonstrate a commitment to the field of education.
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Licensure and Certification
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Guidance counselors seeking employment at public schools must satisfy state-specific requirements. Most states require guidance counselors to take advanced degree courses in human growth and development, group and individual counseling, research and program evaluation and supervised internships. The American School Counselor Association provides a list of state-specific licensing criteria for guidance counselors. Certificates are awarded to graduate students who hold master's degrees in education or psychology related fields. Certification students who complete their required coursework are eligible to take the school counselor certification exam.
Continuing Education
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Licensed guidance counselors must maintain their licensure by taking continuing education courses every five to six years. Re-certification applicants must take continuing education courses at a regionally accredited institution. Guidance counselors who participate in professional development activities are eligible to receive continuing education course credits. Continuing education and professional development credits must be completed prior to the expiry date of a counselor's license. Professional development credits for guidance counselors include annual or state conferences, site-based training or webinars and online professional development workshops.
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