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A
counseling degree allows students to work in the field of helping
people with psychological development and personal issues.
Counseling school helps to train students in applying health
principles and strategies for various clients. A career as a counselor
often involves applying principles that encourage positive mental
health, development, and controlling both cognitive and affective
behaviors. Counselors may work in public or private mental health
practices, and specialization in the field helps to further advance
their career.
Job Description and
Responsibilities with a Career in Counseling
A career in
counseling offers candidates a chance to work one on one with people
to help them cope with a variety of life struggles. General
responsibilities includes:
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Providing
guidance and advice for specific life circumstance
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Role playing and
encouraging dialogue from each client
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Advising people
who are struggling with self-esteem issues
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Offering career
planning and life management advice
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Performing tests
and evaluations
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Using non-medical
psychotherapy techniques
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Helping to
resolve conflict within interpersonal relationships
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Encouraging
positive mental health disciplines
Counselors are
commonly involved with a wide range of clients and helping people
cope with many life stages, transitions, and circumstances. Common
specializations include:
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Anxiety
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Sexual abuse
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Substance abuse
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Relationship
issues
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Emotional
disorders
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Mental disorders
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Domestic violence
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Eating disorders
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Career changes
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Job stress
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Aging issues
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Death and
grievance
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Athletic
pressures
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Self-esteem
problems
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Adolescent issues
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Career planning
or life management
Skills Needed for a
Successful Career in Counseling
Counselors learn
how to work with a variety of people and personalities, and must be
flexible to accommodate the needs of each client. Skills needed for
a successful career include:
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Strong
communication skills
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High levels of
enthusiasm
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A high level of
patience
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Self-reliance
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Self motivation
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High amount of
physical energy
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Effective stress
management
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Ability to travel
Career Options with
a Counseling Degree
A counseling degree offers candidates a variety of options for
their career. After completing training, a candidate choose to pursue a master program in counseling
to further their education. Careers in counseling may lead to
positions as:
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Educational, vocational, and school counselors
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Employment
counselors
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Rehabilitation counselors
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Mental
health counselors
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Substance
abuse and behavioral disorder counselors
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Marriage
and family therapists
Counselors are trained to help people at all stages of life.
Educational counselors work in a school setting to offer career
information, job search skills, and helping to place student sin the
workforce. They may also be available to discuss family problems or
drug abuse problems that are affecting a student's work at school
and overall health. Rehabilitation counselors help people deal with
social and personal effects of disabilities. They help people learn
how to live independently. Mental health counselors work with both
individuals and families to help achieve optimum mental health.
Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors address the needs
of those addicted to drugs, and can help with recovery from
addiction. Marriage and family therapists help to resolve emotional
conflicts and increase positive communication amongst family
members.
Counseling Degree
Requirements
A counseling degree
requires students to obtain at least an undergraduate education,
along with certification. A master's degree is typically required
for licensing and certification, and earning a counseling degree
online is an efficient way to complete an educational program in the
field. A master program 'can increase career options
and is often more specialized than a standard 4-year degree.
Undergraduate programs are grouped into eight key areas of study
such as:
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Social and
cultural diversity
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Human growth and
development
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Relationships
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Research and
program evaluation
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Professional
identity
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Group work
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Career
development
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Assessment
There are many
opportunities for completing graduate studies, and pursuing a
counseling degree online is an attractive option for many students.
A variety of universities and colleges offer a master degree in
counseling or undergraduate studies through an online program. These are especially valuable for students who may
be working full time and require a flexible schedule. Classes for a
master degree often include:
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Intervention,
Consultation, and Program Development
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Career Counseling
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Introduction to
Group Counseling
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Laboratory in
Counseling
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Counseling
Techniques
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Multicultural
Counseling
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Life Span
Development
The highest level
of achievement is found at the doctoral
level. This requires a doctoral dissertation and is often extremely
specialized. It requires extensive research in the field, and can be
a part of an ongoing counseling school program. Doctoral programs
generally are not completed as part of an online counseling degree
program, but they may be available in a correspondence format.
Certification and
licensure programs are available for those interested in a
counseling career. Forty-six states in the U.S. and the District of
Columbia have established a program, but certification is voluntary.
A prospective counselor may chose to obtain certification for a
specialized course of study, and this is often combined with a
counseling and teaching certificate.
The National Board
for Certified Counselors (NBCC) grants a general certificate to
counselors who complete a master program. The National
Certified Counselor (NCC) status is granted to those who complete
the graduate degree program and finish at least two years of field
work. For counselors who are pursuing mental health counseling,
three national organizations offer certification. These include the
Certified Mental Health Counselor (CMHC), Certified Clinical Mental
Health Counselor (NACCMHC), and Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC).
State requirements vary by state, but to maintain NCC status, a
counselor must complete at least 100 hours of continuing education
every five years. A portion of the requirements to apply for
certification may be completed as part of an online counseling
degree program.
Employment Prospects with a Counseling Degree
After extensive training and certification, candidates can choose
to advance their career by specializing in a particular
field. Counselors can also become supervisors or administrators in
their agency, or start a private or group practice. Employment of
counselors is expected to grow faster than average through 2014.
School counselors in particular are in high demand, along with
vocational and career counselors as more people become aware of
services available. The need for rehabilitation counselors is
expected to increase with the advances in medical technology in the
oncoming years.
Median annual earnings of educational, vocational and school
counselors were $45,570 in 2004. Earnings vary depending on specialization and amount of
certification achieved. Counselors who choose to open their own
practice have the highest earnings, as well as those employed in
group practices. Related occupations include:
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Physical therapists
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Registered nurses
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Social workers
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Teachers
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Clergy-members
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Sports psychologists
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