The education and training for those who wish to pursue counseling degrees vary with each state and the specialty chosen. In most cases, a master’s degree is needed to become a licensed professional counselor. Those who wish to pursue this career should inquire within their state governments and national certification boards in order to find out which requirements may apply.

Requirements

Education requirements also vary depending on the counseling specialty. Counseling programs available at universities are located in the departments of psychology, education and human services. The fields of study include, elementary or secondary school counseling, geriatric counseling, college student affairs, substance abuse and addiction counseling, education, marriage and family therapy, rehabilitation counseling, clinical mental health counseling, career counseling and agency/community counseling. Counseling degrees are as varied as the different counseling career choices.

Counseling schools are often concentrated in core areas. These include social and cultural diversity, relationships, human growth and development, group work, research and program evaluation career development, assessment, and ethics. In accredited master’s degree programs, approximately 48-60 hours of master’s level courses, along with supervised clinical work is required to become a counselor.

Training

Many employers will offer training for new counselors. There are others that offer a leave of absence or assistance with tuition to complete graduate counseling degrees. In many cases, counselors must be enrolled in graduate level studies, personal studies, and workshops in order to renew their certifications and their licenses.

Licensing

The requirements differ with each state, occupation specialty and job setting. Most states require that school counselors have a state certified school counseling degree, and to have completed some level of graduate work. Many states require that school counselors have a license. This involves the completion of education credits through counseling programs. Other states outline that public school counselors must have completed degrees in counseling and teaching certifications from counseling programs, as well as experience as a teacher.

For counselors who are not based at a school, 49 states and the District of Columbia have some form of counseling license requirement in the field of counseling. Additionally, all states and the District of Columbia require a license for marriage and family therapists. Necessary requirements for counselors and marriage and family therapists include, completing a master’s degree in counseling through one of the accredited counseling schools, 2 years or 3,000 hours of supervised clinical work past the master’s level, passing the state exam, staying within the ethics codes and standards, and completing all annual education credits. Counselors working in a particular specialty may face different licensing requirements. For instance, a career counselor employed within a private practice may require a license, but a counselor employed at a college career center might not need to have one. In addition, behavior disorder counselors and substance abuse counselors are usually overseen by a different state board or agency than other types of counselors.

The criteria for their licenses can vary, and in some instances, these types of counselors may need just a high school diploma and certification. Those who are interested in counseling must check with their state about the specific requirements needed for the counseling specialty that they are interested in pursuing.

Prospective Counselors

People who may be pursuing a counseling career and considering attending any of the counseling schools should enjoy helping others and be able to promote respect, trust and self-confidence. Also, they should have the ability to work alone or with a team. They must follow the ethics code required by their licenses.

Some counselors pursue a certification by the National Board for Certified Counselors. This board awards a general practice credential of National Certified Counselor so that they may work in areas beyond their own regions. In some states, counselors who complete and pass the national exam are exempt from having to complete a state certification exam. The board makes specialty certifications available in school, mental health, clinical, and addiction counseling. To renew the certification, counselors must pass the certification exam or take 100 hours of continuing education every five years.

Many counseling organizations offer certificates in counseling specialties. Becoming certified is voluntary, but getting certification helps to improve employment prospects.

Counseling Degree Statistics

The following is a distribution of counseling degrees in 2009, provided by the Bureau of Labor and Statistics:

Educational, vocational, and school counselors: 275,800

Rehabilitation counselors: 129,500

Mental health counselors: 113,300

Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors: 86,100

Marriage and family therapists: 27,300

Employment is expected to grow faster than average in the career of counseling. In coming years, it has been predicted that there will be more counseling jobs than graduates, especially in rural areas. This is due to a greater need for counseling, and the recognition that counselors have recently been getting as trained, effective professionals that are needed in communities.