Guidance counselor degree programs are
available fully online in the form of Master of Science or Master of
Arts in Education degrees with concentrations in school counseling.
Graduate programs provide advanced theoretical and practical knowledge
in the counseling of students in elementary and secondary education
environments.
Online Guidance Counselor Degree Programs Overview
Master's degree programs in guidance counseling provide educators
with enhanced skills for dealing with students in school and community
environments. Students use data analysis, research and social science
theories to address issues such as crisis intervention, life planning
and educational development. Most programs are accredited by the Council
for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs
(CACREP) to ensure they are compliant for most state requirements.
Applicants typically must hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited
college or university. Many institutions require students to have
completed prerequisite coursework in areas such as sociology and
psychology. Some schools may require students to be licensed educators
in order to be enrolled into a degree program. A number of programs are
offered completely online; however, some include a mix of distance
education and on-campus classes. Online courses are viewed using online
learning management systems, such as Blackboard, where students can
interact with their professors and fellow students via message boards
and chat rooms. A practicum or field experience is generally required to
complete the curriculum.
Common Online Courses
Master's students examine current issues in school counseling. They
gain advanced knowledge of the philosophies and theories that guide the
counseling of students in elementary and secondary schools.
Fundamentals of School Counseling Course
Students are introduced to the roles and responsibilities of the
guidance counselor in the K-12 environment. They analyze current trends
in school counseling and are tasked with developing strategies to
enhance and improve school settings. Topics of discussion include
community and institutional factors in a student's school and family
life.
Child and Adolescent Counseling Course
In this online course, students focus on developing skills used to
intervene on behalf of children with developmental, behavioral and
educational issues. Emphasis is placed on theoretical and practical
understanding of accepted principles of child psychotherapy.
Field Experience in School Guidance Counseling Course
Students are assigned a professor and professional mentor for this
experience. Under their supervision, students practice individual and
group counseling methods in a school setting.
Graduates of a master's degree program are qualified for guidance
counseling positions in elementary and secondary schools. Guidance
counselors in secondary schools earned a median salary of $48,933 in
September 2010, as reported by
Payscale.com.
Continuing Education
Experienced guidance counselors can gain greater perspectives and
learn new skills from online professional development programs such as
the ones offered by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA).
Courses are available in topics including legal and ethical issues,
classroom guidance and methods for assisting children who are dealing
with change and crisis. These classes are delivered via live and
archived webinars and downloadable video formats.
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