Online High School Guidance Counselor Courses and Classes Overview

Courses that train individuals to become high school guidance counselors cover the techniques used to advise young students on academic, social and emotional issues. Though most programs aren't specific to a grade or educational level, they do offer coursework geared to high school, teens and life planning.

Overview of Distance Learning High School Guidance Counselor Courses

Courses in high school guidance counseling are typically offered through graduate-level degree programs. The work focuses on counseling both for academics and students' well-being. Colleges and universities offering the master's degrees often list them under school counseling or guidance and school counseling. Many online school counseling programs offer courses addressing the needs of all K-12 students, though elective coursework and internships specifically on adolescence and secondary education can be taken as well. Some school counseling programs can also be a first step toward licensure.

Course Requirements

Schools that offer distance education in school counseling give varying hardware and software requirements, but generally suggest students have access to a recently updated computer and Internet, preferably high-speed. Colleges typically provide an online portal system for students to log in, check their assignments, submit their work and correspond with their instructors and classmates. Coursework can often be completed asynchronously - meaning at the student's convenience - though assignments and tests must be completed by certain deadlines.

List of Popular Distance Learning High School Guidance Counselor Courses

Introduction to School Counseling Course

Students learn the basics of the counseling field, including counseling ethics and history, along with the issues, philosophies and basic techniques used in the discipline. The course explores common topics like counseling standards, developmental education and the role of school community members from administrator to parent.

Counseling for Adolescents Course

The course covers key theories of childhood psychology with particular attention to adolescence. Students explore the stages of child development and the best and appropriate counseling practices for each developmental stage.

Career Counseling Course

Students gain broad knowledge of academic advising, career development and vocational training. They learn assessment skills and methods for life planning.

Testing and Assessing Course

The course introduces students to various forms of standardized testing, including common techniques and applicable testing methods. Students also learn about the research and statistics behind testing as well as exploring the factors that affect valid outcomes.