What work can you do and be happy? Associate degrees in counseling are available through community colleges and some online programs; the typical time required for completion is 2 years.
Although the years required for completion vary according to the school and attendance options, a B. Degree holders need not stay in the counseling field; many business entities hire those with counseling degrees to work in a variety of departments. Entry-level positions in the business world include: human resource assistant, insurance sales, advertising representative, travel and hospitality liaison, communications facilitator and client advocate; in short, anything that involves the complexities of human interaction.
Degree related placements can include: psychiatric technician, mental health technician, social work technician, human service worker, life-skills instructor, case management assistant, vocational rehabilitation assistant, government social services worker and non-profit worker. The list is far from exhaustive, and each hiring entity will have its own title for available positions. With a B. Volunteering or interning for a desired employer is always a wise move to make during the undergraduate years.
Robert C. Smith B. He dreamed of living in New York, working for a world-famous hotel in guest relations. Coursework typically explores theory and research in psychotherapy, experimental design, assessment of personality and psychopathology, mental health law, and advanced statistics. Students conduct research projects under the supervision and guidance of faculty members, culminating in a dissertation defense.
Some programs also include a clinical or practicum component. Professionals with a Ph. Certificate programs in counseling and psychology are available at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Students can earn certificates independently or in conjunction with a degree.
Certificate programs generally require credits and take less than one year to complete. Students can pursue certificate programs in specific areas of study, such as clinical mental health counseling, school counseling, and addictions counseling. Certificate programs can help counselors and psychologists advance in their current focus area or transition to a new specialization.
For example, a psychologist with a degree in addictions counseling who wants to transition to school counseling may pursue a certificate in the latter.
A certificate does not usually satisfy employment requirements, but the additional credential can lead to career advancement and increased earning potential.
Certificate programs require fewer credits than degrees and therefore have shorter completion times. Students can earn a certificate in less than a year, while degrees typically require at least two years. In addition to major coursework, degrees require general education classes, while certificates only involve training specific to the area of study.
However, a certificate cannot serve as a substitute for a degree. Counselors must also pass a state-recognized exam and complete annual continuing education classes.
Licensing and certification guidelines for mental health counselors vary by state; be sure to check the guidelines for the region in which you plan to study. Information about requirements for each state is available from the National Board for Certified Counselors. Licensing and certification guidelines for counseling psychologists vary by state; be sure to check the guidelines for the region in which you plan to study. Depending upon your level of dedication, the education necessary to work as a mental health counselor can take the following time to complete:.
Course outlines differ for each school, so check for information on the differences and how they pertain to your goals in earning your degree.
Attending an accredited school may allow you to apply for financial aid, whether the school you select is a traditional classroom or an online program. Broken down by state, the top five median annual salaries in the field stack up this way:. There are three basic options:. Most counselors begin their career with a bachelor's degree in counseling or psychology. Designated undergraduate degrees or majors in counseling are uncommon, but they do exist.
These include normal and abnormal psychology, developmental psychology, and social science research methods. Coursework also covers social and educational policy, and trauma and crisis intervention techniques. Below is a breakdown of some typical undergraduate classes offered in counseling, along with the topics and skills that are covered in each:. Explores how research is designed, conducted and analyzed, for use in creating counseling programs. Offers an overview of the various factors and forces that form the basis of individual personality at different developmental stages.
Looks at the history of various programs designed to address social issues, and their ultimate effectiveness. Surveys proper in-the-field practices for individual cases in social work and counseling. MS degrees typically focus more on clinical experience working as a counselor, while MA degrees are geared more toward research.
Explores the theories and assessments of various addiction models, the pharmacological basis of addiction, and various treatment methods, from the perspective of individual, family and group counseling. For example, a doctor of education EdD degree in counseling is helpful for counselors who want to pursue an administrative position in educational counseling. Both are useful to those who aspire to teach or conduct in-depth research at the college or university level.
Prepares students for clinical counseling using the medical school practitioner-scholar model, emphasizing the direct application of theory in supervised clinical settings. As such, the kind of coursework associated with each can vary greatly. Following is a look at the general aims and requirements of each degree:. The inherent flexibility of online programs can be a bonus in such situations. When searching online degrees, consider the following:. Make sure the program is approved by the National Accreditation Agency, as well as by any other relevant state authorities.
Most reputable online programs will supply a list of faculty credentials, which can be a decisive factor. Make sure the program includes the types of courses that will suit your area of interest in counseling. An excellent resource for gaining insight into online degree programs in school counseling are professional association websites linked to the American School Counselor Association, the Society of Counseling Psychology, the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapists, and the American Counseling Association.
A good counselor must first be a good listener, someone who can actively engage, empathize and pick up on pertinent social cues. School counselors in particular must develop critical-thinking skills to help students plan academic and career goals. School counselors may employ testing and social science assessment methods, but they also have to develop an intuitive sense of what works on a case-by-case basis.
Each state has its own requirements for certification, which can be found at the relevant state agency or by consulting the American School Counselor Association ASCA. Requirements often include completing certain coursework, passing a written exam, and obtaining work experience.
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