Guidance and School Counseling Degrees

View online teaching programs currently accepting applicants for 2024.

There are multiple options for online guidance counseling or school counseling degrees. School counselors are an important part of any school, and although they are not teachers per-say, they are equally as important in any early education, elementary, middle, or high school. School counselors do need to have the proper education and licensure.

Review of top School Counseling degrees, Updated for 2024

Some individuals earn a bachelor's degree to obtain entry-level positions in counseling settings. Additionally, bachelor degree programs can also pave the way into graduate counseling programs.

Alabama State University Bachelors in Psychology program

An example of this can be found in the Bachelor of Science in Psychology program offered at Alabama State University.

Alabama State University's program offers concentrations in clinical psychologists; cognitive and perceptual psychologists; community psychologists; counseling psychologists; developmental psychologists; educational psychologists; rehabilitation psychologists; and school psychologists, among others.

Some 4-year counseling degrees include courses in general psychology; abnormal psychology; theories of personality; and applied behavior analysis, such as a psychology baccalaureate program with four concentrations and a required internship. Both of these programs prepare students for various careers involving counseling and also prepare the student for graduate studies.

View more 100% online teaching programs currently accepting applicants.

Angelo State University's Counseling Masters programs

Internships and clinical experiences are a big part of counseling and psychology programs, and the counseling psychology master's degree program at Angelo State University is no exception. This 48-credit program has a thesis or non-thesis option, a practicum courses, and coursework in marriage and family counseling; psychological assessment; cognitive behavior therapy; and counseling theories.

Graduates are prepared to work as licensed professional counselors in rehabilitation settings, vocational counseling, private practice, mental health centers, and hospitals. This is just one of many colleges offering master degree counseling programs.

Doctorate Degrees in Counseling

Counseling degrees at the doctoral degree level are generally chosen by individuals who seek careers in research, in academia or just want the highest level of education and salary for their careers. A doctoral degree candidate must have a master degree in the field already. This 76-credit program requires the student to complete core psychology coursework, a supervised practicum, a 2,000 hour supervised internship, and a dissertation.

State Licensure and Certification for Counselors

States often vary in their requirements regarding licensure and certification; however, most states require counselors be state-licensed and/or certified in almost all counseling professions. To obtain licensure, counselors typically must pass a state-approved exam, have a master’s degree and complete from 2,000 to 4,000 hours of supervised clinical experience. They must also complete continuing education credits to maintain their certification/licensure. The master degree programs will typically require that student already have a bachelor’s degree.

Counseling degrees can also be earned online. Many colleges offer counseling or psychology programs through distance learning.

Counseling Career Options

Depending on their areas of interest and study, graduates of counseling programs may find many career opportunities open to them once they become licensed. School and career counselors help students work with behavior problems; help students determine career goals; provide students with information on important issues that can affect their learning; refer students and family members to outsider sources when necessary.

The type of counselor you want to become will play a big part in the type of counseling degree you’ll pursue. Counselors are found in many types of businesses. The most common types of counselors are school and careers counselors, rehabilitation counselors, substance abuse and behavioral disorders counselors. mental health counselors, and marriage and family therapists.

Regardless of what type of counselor you’d like to become, you’re probably going to need a master’s degree in psychology, counselling or a similar field, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Counselors like substance abuse and behavioral disorders counselors may be hired with just a bachelor’s, but a master’s degree is more commonly required and preferred by employers. A counselor with a master’s degree will have more job opportunities and can provide more services to their clients with less supervision.

Substance abuse and behavioral disorders counselor provide services and counseling to victims of drug or alcohol abuse or those with behavioral problems. Mental health counselors and marriage and family therapists work with patients who suffer from mental or emotional issues and provide family and relationship counseling. Rehabilitation counselors help disabled or sick people deal with their issues and lead as normal and productive lives as possible.

Guidance counselors work in a bit of a different capacity, advising students on which path their education and career should take them, but they also overlap into all of the aforementioned areas of behavioral, special needs, and substance abuse.