How many years of college do I need to become a counselor?

Hi Esmie,

There are few undergraduate degrees specifically in school counseling, but degrees in education, psychology, sociology, and even business administration and management are generally considered to be adequate preparation for a master’s in counseling. The key as an undergraduate is to study areas across various disciplines that may have useful applications in the realm of school counseling, such as developmental psychology and the history and sociology of education.

With few exceptions, a master’s degree is required to be a school counselor. Although a master’s degree in a related field — psychology, sociology, education — can be considered adequate preparation for a career in counseling, it’s more common and preferable to complete a degree specific to school counseling.

School counseling is a multi-disciplinary pursuit, and requires a facility and comfort level with a number of targeted skills and methodologies. Coursework in school counseling typically includes classes in counseling techniques, academic development and social and behavioral issues, as well as the laws and ethics of counseling. Students pursuing employment as a college counselor will also complete courses in career guidance counseling, crisis intervention and trauma counseling.

A school counselor interacts with students, parents, teachers and other staff on a daily basis. Each day brings new challenges—and sometimes crises. As such, preparing to be an effective counselor requires more than just classroom learning. Most accredited master’s degrees in counseling include a practicum, or internship, as part of the core curriculum. This usually involves up to 600 hours of supervised fieldwork in schools and other professional settings. Licensure or certification is often contingent on completing an internship or practicum

All states require public-school counselors to hold an official, state-issued credential, although specifics vary from state to state. General requirements include completion of a master’s degree and an internship or practicum, as well as passing an exam. Some states also require a criminal background check as part of the credentialing process. Private schools may or may not be required by their states to employ only state-credentialed counselors. The American School Counselor Association lists specific requirements for each state.

In: http://www.learnhowtobecome.org/counselor/

Good luck!