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Degrees and Schools
Master's degree programs in educational counseling are frequently offered through university departments of education, human services, or psychology. Some employers offer tuition reimbursement to assist counselors with getting their graduate degree, and / or train newly hired counselors. The American Counseling Association's Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) requires educational counseling degree programs to meet rigorous criteria -- therefore, many employers prefer graduates from schools with this accreditation.
Coursework
When graduate students study educational psychology, they spend around 55 hours taking courses in:
- Counseling techniques
- Human growth and development
- Career development
- Relationships
- Group work
- Social and cultural diversity
- Testing and assessment
- Program evaluation and research
- Professional identity and ethics
They also gain clinical experience through supervised internships.
Online Classes and Programs
Most online learning opportunities in educational psychology are offered as part of campus-based college or university traditional master's programs, since supervised clinical experience is a requirement in accredited programs.
Employment Requirements
A master's degree is required in order to be a licensed counselor in most states. Other requirements for licensure vary by state, but often include a certification exam. In some states, counselors who choose to be certified by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) as a National Certified Counselor are exempt from taking a state certification exam.
How to Evaluate Schools
When comparing master's degree programs, aspiring educational counselors should consider asking these questions:
- Research - What kind of research is being done by professors in the program? Are professors and current students active in presenting research at conferences?
- Accreditation - Is the program accredited by the CACREP?
- Practical experience - How is the supervised clinical experience structured, and what do current students have to say about it? Is there a testing / assessment center, and if so, is it equipped with the latest tools?
- Financial aid - What kind of financial aid does the program offer? What research grants are available?
- Career search - What employment assistance is provided to graduating students? What are previous graduates doing now?
Educational Counselor Job Description
When students of any age struggle with issues that affect their school or career, educational counselors work with them to help them resolve the issues. They advise and evaluate their clients using counseling sessions, tests to assess interests and aptitude, interviews, and other methods. They also provide educational experiences through career information and alcohol / drug abuse prevention programs.
Most commonly, students who come to educational counselors struggle with getting good grades, indecision or unhappiness about their career, getting along other students and teachers, alcohol or drug problems, anger issues, domestic abuse situations, mental health disorders and other disabilities, and recovery from traumatic events. Sometimes it is necessary for the educational counselor to recognize a problem that is not being acknowledged and support intervention with the student or family members.
Educational counselors collaborate with teachers, school administrators, school psychologists, parents, medical professionals, and social workers to recommend, plan and implement programs designed to help students succeed. They may work one-on-one with students, in a small group, or with an entire class.
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