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Career Guidance Counselor: Education and Job Training Requirements for Becoming a Career Guidance Counselor

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Published Aug 31, 2009

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Anyone interested in helping young people achieve their occupational goals might want to consider becoming a Career Guidance Counselor. The exact requirements for becoming a Career Guidance Counselor vary by state, but there is some overlap in most states' qualifications. This article explains the education and training needed to become a Career Guidance Counselor.

Career Guidance Counselor Career Summary

Career Guidance Counselors primarily work in high schools helping students effectively choose suitable occupations. They conduct interviews with students and administer career aptitude tests to get an idea of students' strengths and interests. Once they understand what the students enjoy and what their talents are, Career Guidance Counselors help them decide how to get the education required for their desired career. Aside from working in high schools, Career Guidance Counselors can also work for colleges or independent counseling agencies.

Education Required to Become a Career Guidance Counselor

Candidates need a master's degree in a field such as education or psychology to qualify for most Career Guidance Counselor positions. Some states allow people to work as Career Guidance Counselors after earning a bachelor's degree and completing some graduate coursework. It generally takes a minimum of six years to complete both the prerequisite bachelor's degree program and a master's degree. Some topics that Career Guidance Counselors need to study include general counseling methods and theory, education administration, educational theory and youth counseling.

Job Training and Licensure Required to be a Career Guidance Counselor

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, www.bls.gov, each state has unique licensure requirements for Career Guidance Counselors. Most states require Career Guidance Counselors who work in schools to have a master's degree and pass a state certification test. Many states also require Career Guidance Counselors to periodically complete new classes to make sure their knowledge remains current. In a few states, Career Guidance Counselors need to possess teaching and counseling certificates and must have experience teaching.

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