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| Education Required |  | All States require school counselors to hold a State school counseling certification and to have completed at least some graduate course work; most require the completion of a master’s degree. Some States require public school counselors to have both counseling and teaching certificates and to have had some teaching experience before receiving certification. For counselors based outside of schools, 48 States and the District of Columbia have some form of counselor licensure that governs their practice of counseling. Requirements typically include the completion of a master’s degree in counseling, the accumulation of 2 years or 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience beyond the master’s degree level, the passage of a State-recognized exam, adherence to ethical codes and standards, and the completion of annual continuing education requirements.
Graduate programs in career, community, gerontological, mental health, school, student affairs, and marriage and family counseling are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). While completion of a CACREP-accredited program is not necessary to become a counselor, it makes it easier to fulfill the requirements for State licensing. Another organization, the Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE), accredits graduate programs in rehabilitation counseling.
Accredited master’s degree programs include a minimum of 2 years of full-time study, including 600 hours of supervised clinical internship experience.
A bachelor's degree often qualifies a person to work as a counseling aide, rehabilitation aide, or social service worker.
Experience in employment counseling, job development, psychology, education, or social work is helpful. Some states require counselors in public employment offices to have a master's degree; others accept a bachelor's degree with appropriate counseling courses.
Clinical mental health counselors usually have a master's degree in mental health counseling, in another area of counseling, or in psychology or social work.
Some employers provide training for newly hired counselors. Many have work-study programs so that those employed counselors can earn graduate degrees. Counselors must participate in graduate studies, workshops, and personal studies to maintain their certificates and licenses.
Prospects for advancement vary by counseling field. Counselors can become supervisors or administrators in their agencies. Some counselors move into research, consulting, or college teaching, or go into private or group practice. |
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| Recommended High School Courses | | Social Studies, Biology, Mathematics, English, Communications |
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| Postsecondary Instructional Programs | | Psychology, Education and Training, Therapy and Counseling, Customer and Personal Service, Education and Training |
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| Certification and Licensing | | In 2006, 49 states and the District of Columbia had some form of counselor credentialing, licensure, certification, or registry legislation governing practice outside schools. Requirements typically include the completion of a master’s degree in counseling, the accumulation of 2 years or 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience beyond the master’s degree level, the passage of a State-recognized exam, adherence to ethical codes and standards, and the satisfaction of annual continuing education requirements.
Counselors must be aware of educational and training requirements that are often very detailed and that vary by area and by counseling specialty. Prospective counselors should check with state and local governments, employers, and national voluntary certification organizations in order to determine which requirements apply.
The Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification offers voluntary national certification for rehabilitation counselors. Many State and local governments and other employers Generally, to receive certification as a clinical mental health counselor, a counselor must have a master's degree in counseling, 2 years of postmaster's experience, a period of supervised clinical experience, a taped sample of clinical work, and a passing grade on a written examination. To maintain their certification, counselors must successfully retake the certification exam or complete 100 credit hours of acceptable continuing education every 5 years. |
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