Earning an advanced degree in counseling will prepare you to serve as a professional counselor in a setting of your choice. Depending on your focus, you might work in a school, hospital, nursing center, prison, social service organization, religious institution, or employment agency. You could also choose to set up a private counseling practice. Depending on your area of expertise, you might find yourself counseling individuals, ... couples and families, or groups
Most accredited master degree programs for counseling require 48 to 60 semester hours of study. These hours may include clinical training. Your coursework will vary depending on the type of counseling you plan to practice, but it is likely to include some core classes that focus on human development, social and cultural diversity, relationships, research, and professional ethics.
Postgraduate work is important for most prospective counselors. In fact, while specific requirements vary by state or area of specialty, a master degree is often required if you want to become a licensed counselor.
Demand for licensed counselors is growing especially in select fields. Mental health counselors are increasingly being sought out for treatments traditionally provided by psychiatrists or psychologists. There is also growing recognition of niche specialties such as marriage and family counseling. In addition, a larger elderly population with higher-than-average incidents of injuries and disabilities has spurred demand for rehabilitation and geriatric counselors.
To practice certain types of counseling you may need additional training or may need to fulfill other criteria. Addiction counselors, for instance, must complete an internship. In some states guidance counselors working in schools must have their teaching certification. Prospective psychology counselors may need to complete a research project. Before you begin your graduate studies, you should be sure you understand the requirements for your specialty. This will help you prepare in case you need to apply for certification or continue your studies.
Beyond earning your master degree and meeting licensing requirements, you may also choose to be certified by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC). The NBCC offers voluntary national certification. This is unrelated to state licensing, but if you earn your national certification, you may be excused from having to take your state's certification exam. The NBCC also offers three specialty certifications (for mental health counseling, school counseling, and addictions counseling).
Once you have your graduate degree along with licensing and certification, your schooling is likely not over. As a counselor, you may need to earn a doctorate degree to advance in your field, or you may be required to partake in ongoing professional development to maintain your certificate and/or license.
Get your fix of the latest news
and commentary, insight and advice about online education, careers,
technology and learning, and more from
the
Read the
