Online Degrees in School Guidance Counseling by Program Level

School guidance counselors are employed at all levels of the education system to assist students with personal and social development, academic achievement and career planning. Online degree programs in school guidance counseling are offered at the master's level and provide the training needed to prepare individuals for certification as school guidance counselors.

Program Overview for an Online Master's Degree in School Guidance Counseling

Online school guidance counseling programs prepare individuals to administer school counseling programs to advise and meet students' needs in collaboration with teachers, parents and other school personnel. The master's-level curriculum provides students with the knowledge and skills needed to meet the educational, social and personal needs of K-12 students by providing quality prevention, identification and counseling services. Areas of study include coping strategies, career planning, academic achievement, crisis management and disaster response. Graduates of an online master's program are prepared to pursue professional certification as a school guidance counselor.

Program Information

Typically requiring about two years to complete, an online master's program in school guidance counseling requires approximately 36-72 credits hours. The program is structured to include online coursework that is accompanied by supervised field experiences that may be completed in local schools. Most programs require students to complete a 100-hour practicum and a 600-hour internship under the direct supervision of a licensed school counselor and program faculty. Some school guidance programs may also require one or two short residency periods on-campus that can range from 4-6 days in length.

Common Online Coursework for a Master's Degree in School Guidance Counseling

Online coursework for this degree provides students with foundations in counseling principles, ethical practices and psychological theories. Study topics help prepare students to be successful in culturally, socially and geographically diverse educational settings.

Child and Adolescent Counseling Course

This course focuses on the counseling processes unique to the development and emotional growth of children and adolescents. Students gain a theoretical and practical understanding of the major theories in child psychotherapy. Emphasis is placed on cognitive, developmental, multicultural, behavioral and educational issues through a multidimensional view of intervention.

Life Planning and Career Development Course

Online instruction provides an overview of the many factors that can play a role in occupational choices and career development. Diversity issues, sources of information, assessment procedures and the impact of technology are all discussed.

Group Counseling Course

Through a variety of structured group training exercises, students learn to play an active role in the group counseling process. Topics covered include group climate, stages of development, resistance and transference.

Career and Certification Information

Although requirements may vary by state, most states require school guidance counselors to be certified. Counseling candidates are usually required to have a master's degree in school guidance counseling accompanied by practicum or internship experience. To maintain certification, counselors are typically required to complete a certain number of continuing education credits to refresh their skills and stay up-to-date with the latest trends and practices within the field. Some states require school guidance counselors working in the public school system to also be certified teachers with several years of teaching experience in addition to their counseling certification.
Qualified school guidance counselors are needed in a variety of educational settings, including public and private elementary, middle and secondary schools. Employment opportunities for school guidance counselors are projected by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to grow by 14% between 2008 and 2018 (www.bls.gov). According to the BLS, the median annual wage for vocational, educational and school guidance counselors was $52,550 as of May 2009.