Online Colleges that Offer Education Counseling: How to Choose

Education counseling degrees are usually intended for those who will work as school counselors for students in kindergarten through twelfth grade. Though preparatory bachelor's degrees and graduate certificates for counselors may be available, prospective counselors must normally complete a master's degree to gain licensure.

How to Choose an Online School for Education Counseling

Program Availability and Focus

Education counseling degrees are commonly available in online, hybrid and traditional formats, but usually only at the master's degree level. Normally, education counseling degrees focus on training school counselors who will work with students at the kindergarten through high school levels. Some schools offer resources specifically for those who will work with a particular age group. Programs may also be found for those who wish to serve as counselors in higher education.

Licensure and Degree Level

Licensing requirements for education counselors vary from state to state, but normally to gain licensure, counselors must attend a master's degree program. For this reason, very few bachelor's or lower level degrees specifically for education counselors are available. A few graduate certificates in education counseling can be found in an online format from select institutions, but these are normally intended for paraprofessionals or counselor's assistants and not for counselors themselves.

Online Degree Programs for Education Counseling

Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Counseling

Bachelor's degrees in psychology and counseling are not normally intended specifically for education counselors and serve as undergraduate degrees for those who will enter a number of different professions. However, they can offer excellent preparation for a career in educatoin counseling. Students take classes in counseling, cultural studies, human development, psychology and similar subjects. Online bachelor's degree programs in psychology and counseling are more likely to be for traditional students studying at an accelerated pace or those who wish to study at a normal pace, with a regular class schedule. Fewer opportunities are available for part-time students.

Graduate Certificate in Counselor Education

Graduate certificates for counselors are usually general degrees for those who wish to work for professional counselors, perhaps as a stepping stone to becoming counselors themselves, and may not be designed specifically for education counseling. Graduate certificate programs in counseling often teach subjects such as cross-cultural counseling, counseling theories and human development. Graduate certificates for counselors are often designed with a flexible schedule for working professionals and may only have a single class end date rather than a set term schedule.

Master of Science in School Counseling

Master's degrees in counseling are usually specifically designed for students who will go on to counseling careers in K-12 education, though they may be applicable to higher education counseling as well. Students study common counseling topics in depth and often study abnormal psychology, counseling theories and counselor ethics. Students may also need to complete practicums and internships in order to graduate, which means these degrees are often hybrid programs that may provide students with the opportunity to complete their practical education requirements at a facility near where they live.