Career Guidance Counselor: Education and Job Training Requirements for Becoming a Career Guidance Counselor
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.
Featured School Choices:
-
Colorado Christian University
Colorado Christian University responds quickly to information requests through this site.
Suggested programs:
- Curriculum and Instruction, M.A. - Culturally and Linguistically Diverse
- Clinical Mental Health Counseling, M.A. - On Site Curriculum
- Clinical Mental Health Counseling, M.A. - Online Curriculum
- School Counseling, M.A.
- Clinical Mental Health Counseling, M.A. - Marriage & Family Therpy
-
Liberty University
Liberty University responds quickly to information requests through this site.
Suggested programs:
- MED: School Counseling
- MA: Human Services Counseling: General
- MA: Human Services Counseling: Life Coaching
- MA: Marriage & Family Therapy
- MA: Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CACREP)
More information about Liberty University
-
The Chicago School
The Chicago School responds quickly to information requests through this site.
Suggested programs:
- M.A. Counseling Psychology
- Graduate Certificate in Online Teaching and Learning
-
Purdue Global
Purdue Global responds quickly to information requests through this site.
Suggested programs:
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Postgraduate Certificate
- M.S. in Higher Education - Student Affairs
- Master of Science in Health Education
- MS in Educational Psychology
- M.S. in Higher Education - College Admin & Leadership
More information about Purdue Global
-
National University
National University responds quickly to information requests through this site.
Suggested programs:
- DMFT - Child and Adolescent Therapy
- EdD - Social Emotional Learning
- PhD - Child and Adolescent Therapy
- PhD - Couple Therapy
- PhD - General Family Therapy
-
Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology
Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology responds quickly to information requests through this site.
Suggested programs:
- Masters in Clinical Psychology (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist)