What Should I Major in to Become a Guidance Counselor?
Guidance counselors can major in fields of study like psychology, counseling, education and human services. Depending upon where a counselor works, guidance counselors may also be required to enroll in a teacher education program in addition to taking courses related to counseling.
Degree Programs for Guidance Counselors
Education Options and Requirements
Degree programs for guidance counselors are typically found in psychology, education and human services departments at colleges and universities. Important coursework includes psychology, public speaking, education, mathematics and statistics.
The type of training guidance counselors need can vary by state as well as by work setting. Counselors working in public schools need a master's degree. Public school counselors must be licensed as well. Guidance counselors at private schools, however, generally do not need a license. Enrolling in a teacher education program may be beneficial or even necessary for students interested in counseling careers at private schools.
Licensure
All public school guidance counselors must be licensed. Some guidance counselors may be required to hold a state school counseling certification and complete at least some coursework at the graduate level prior to becoming licensed. Others are required to have a certificate in counseling and teaching and have some teaching experience prior to becoming licensed. Students generally must complete continuing education credits in order to maintain licensure.
Job Outlook and Salary Information
Employment opportunities were predicted to grow by 14% from 2008 to 2018, according to the the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.bls.gov). Job increases will be due to the fact that increasing numbers of elementary schools are now required to hire counselors. Expanding roles of counselors may also add to the growth. These roles may include drug and alcohol abuse counseling, suicide counseling and crisis intervention. According to PayScale.com, salaries for guidance counselors in 2010 were between $35,793 and $55,131.
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5 Popular Schools
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be 21 years of age or older and have completed some college or 24 years of age or older and a high school graduate for a Bachelor's degree
- Masters degree applicants must have a Bachelors degree
- Doctorate degree applicants must have a Masters degree
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
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Bachelor
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- BS in Child Development - Child & Adolescent Studies
- BS in Child Development - Family Health and Wellness
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
- Arizona (6 campuses)
- Colorado (3)
- Florida (6)
- Hawaii (2)
- Indiana (1)
- Missouri (3)
- New Mexico (2)
- Nevada (2)
- Tennessee (1)
- Utah (3)
Online and Classroom-Based Programs
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
- Bachelor
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Applicants must have an Bachelor's degree or higher.
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
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Bachelor
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- BS in Early Childhood Education (Birth - 5 Years)
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
- Bachelor
Other Schools:
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School locations:
- Nevada (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at University of Nevada include:
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- Graduate: Doctorate, First Professional Degree, Master
- Non-Degree: Coursework
- Post Degree Certificate: Postbaccalaureate Certificate
- Undergraduate: Bachelor
- Education
- Counseling and Guidance
- Curriculum and Instruction
- Educational Administration and Supervision
- Special Education
- Teacher Education for Specific Levels and Methods
- Teacher Education for Specific Subject Areas
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School locations:
- West Virginia (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at Marshall University include:
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- Graduate: Doctorate, First Professional Degree, Master
- Post Degree Certificate: Post Master's Certificate
- Undergraduate: Associate, Bachelor
- Education
- Counseling and Guidance
- Educational Administration and Supervision
- Special Education
- Teacher Education for Specific Levels and Methods
- Teacher Education for Specific Subject Areas
Other Related Schools:
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School locations:
- Iowa (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at Iowa State University include:
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- Graduate: Doctorate, First Professional Degree, Master
- Undergraduate: Bachelor
- Education
- Counseling and Guidance
- Curriculum and Instruction
- Educational Administration and Supervision
- Educational Evaluation and Research
- ESL Teaching
- Philosophical Foundations of Education
- Special Education
- Teacher Education for Specific Levels and Methods
- Teacher Education for Specific Subject Areas
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School locations:
- Michigan (3 campuses)
Areas of study you may find at University of Michigan include:
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- Graduate: Doctorate, Master
- Undergraduate: Bachelor
- Education
- Teacher Education for Specific Levels and Methods
- Teacher Education for Specific Subject Areas
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School locations:
- Florida (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at University of South Florida include:
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- Graduate: Doctorate, First Professional Degree, Master
- Undergraduate: Associate, Bachelor
- Education
- Counseling and Guidance
- Curriculum and Instruction
- Educational Administration and Supervision
- ESL Teaching
- Library Science and Related Professions
- Special Education
- Teacher Education for Specific Levels and Methods
- Teacher Education for Specific Subject Areas
