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Undergraduate Counseling Programs

UNDERGRADUATE COUNSELING PROGRAMS

Preparing as an Undergraduate for a Counseling Graduate Program and Career

Having a clear and well-designed plan from the very beginning of your schooling is ideal for eventually embarking upon a professional counseling role.

The individuals who decide to enter the counseling field often have undergraduate majors in many different fields. There is not just one major that is acceptable. Ideally, if you know early in your undergraduate career that you want to go into counseling, there is a primary focus that can greatly enhance you as a candidate.

A Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology is the logical choice for an undergraduate degree leading to a future career as a counselor.

Here is a good place to start to learn about relevant programs: http://study.com/undergraduate_schools_of_counseling_and_psychology.html

PROGRAM PREREQUISITES

Seek out different information on websites for different programs. Look for prerequisites that need to be accomplished. Often, specialty counseling programs will require particular classes. Ask questions from the admissions departments. Counseling programs that include a specialty in a creative arts therapy field may require arts, performance, or studio classes. Counseling psychology programs often require lots of psychology courses. Take as many as you can.

In many states, in order to become a school counselor, you must have a teaching background.  Some schools show preference to candidates who have backgrounds in education or a related social service field.

ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

Master’s programs in counseling often set a minimum undergraduate GPA of between 2.7 and 3.0. You are more likely to be given consideration for acceptance if you’ve gained valuable experience since graduating, as well.

If you’ve taken any graduate courses, you will usually be expected to have a GPA of at least 3.0. Sometimes candidates have the option of enrolling in a few graduate courses before formal admission to the Master’s program. This has proven a benefit to many students in which they can really “get their feet wet” before formally beginning.

Most of the graduate counseling programs require candidates to take a formal admissions test such as the GRE. Many schools utilize a combination of factors for determining the quality of candidates based on both test scores and GPA. The schools are looking for well-rounded students who are truly devoted to working as professional counselors.

EXPERIENCE IN THE FIELD

Another key advantage to obtaining a degree in human services or social sciences is that you are better positioned for internships and paid employment in the field before graduate school. This can greatly enhance your resume when you actually apply.

You should take a look at your state’s Department of Mental Health office for volunteer or paid employment options. Another good resource is your state or local division of Mental Health America.

One helpful recommendation is to join HOSA-Future Health Professionals. Formerly known as Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA), this organization is a national career and technical student organization endorsed by the U.S. Department of Education and the Health Science Technology Education Division of ACTE. HOSA is composed of secondary and postsecondary/collegiate students. Headquartered in Southlake, Texas, HOSA is the very well established student organization that prepares students to enter the healthcare field. One key advantage to this group is being able to explore various health professions while developing your speaking and interpersonal skills. Secondly, one is able to make personal and professional connections that last a lifetime!

ACE THE APPLICATION!

Make sure that you are involved in work experience (either paid or volunteer) that is directly related to the degree program. Make lasting professional relationships and cultivate them for references. Graduate programs will usually ask for three references from those who can attest to what you will truly bring to the profession.

You will more than likely be asked to write an essay or personal statement. You will want to convey great communication skills, a keen insight into the profession, and dedication to helping people.

If all goes well in the application process up until this point, the next step would be to meet them face-to-face for an interview. You’ve got this!

Source :  http://counselor-education.com/undergraduate-counseling-programs/

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Counseling Certifications

Professional Counseling Certifications

The Importance of Certification

Certified Counselors are mental health professionals who have usually not only passed rigorous exams, but have voluntarily gone beyond the average to achieve excellence in certification.

Many counselors choose to pursue certification through third party (nongovernmental) agencies. All states use third party examinations as part of the licensing process for professional counseling. Third party examinations are often used for school counseling, as well.

• The National Certified Counselor (NCC) credential can be prestigious to those who attain it. The NCC certification is a voluntary certification that goes beyond the legal requirements for licensure. NCCs have shown their dedication to their profession and to providing the best services possible.
• NCCs are held to an enforceable Code of Ethics, which delineates ethical counseling practice. NBCC (National Board for Certified Counselors) provides an established process for dealing with concerns and taking disciplinary actions.
• NCCs must complete regular continuing education in order to maintain their certification. This ensures that NCCs are up to date on developments and best practices in the profession, so that they can provide you with consistently high-quality service.
• NCCs are able show their areas of expertise with NBCC specialty certifications: the Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CCMHC), Master Addictions Counselor (MAC) and National Certified School Counselor (NCSC). These certifications show that a counselor has met national standards for a specialty practice, including additional education and experience requirements and a specialty examination.

Specialty certifications can often indicate expertise in counseling disciplines that are often not recognized separately by state licensing boards.

MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING

In some states, the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination is used as part of the licensing process for clinical counselors. Counselors in other states may choose to take it as part of the certification process for the Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor credential.

REHABILITATION COUNSELING

The Commission on Rehabilitation Counseling Certification grants a national credential to rehabilitation counselors. The best path to ensure eligibility is to attend a CORE-accredited program in rehabilitation counseling. Other programs can be considered acceptable if coursework and experience requirements are met. Candidates will eventually take an examination.

SCHOOL COUNSELING

School counselors have two certification options. “National Board certification” is through the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. In order to pursue this certification, a school counselor must have acquired three years’ experience working under license. NBPTS certifications implement a portfolio review process to determine that an applicant has a high level of proficiency.

The other option for school counselors is through certification via the National Board for Certified Counselors. This option will involve taking a school counseling examination. In order to receive the school counseling credential through the NBCC, a counselor must also hold NCC status. This route is exclusive to school counselors who have completed a graduate counseling program of at least 48 semester hours.

CACREP-accreditation (http://www.cacrep.org/) can be important to a counselor who is seeking NBCC credentials. If a school counselor attended a CACREP-accredited program, s/he will not need to meet post-graduate supervision requirements set by the NBCC.

ADDICTION COUNSELING

The NBCC offers the Master Addiction Counselor (MAC) credential in collaboration with the International Association of Addiction and Offenders Counselors.

There are many organizations that will certify individuals with less than a Master’s degree to work with people with addictions. The process will vary from state to state due to varying standards among states for people who work with drug or alcohol offenders in state agencies. MAC certification is a more advanced level of substance abuse certification.

Master Addictions Counselors must meet all standards for the NCC credential, plus some others, as well. These counselors must demonstrate that their graduate counseling education consisted of 12 semester hours in addictions or that they had 500 CE hours in the field. The counselors need at least two years of post-Master’s supervised experience in the addiction arena. Total experience of three years is usually required.

EXPRESSIVE ARTS COUNSELING THERAPIES

Some counselors attend programs that combine counseling with expressive arts therapies. Art therapy specialists become eligible for the Registered Art Therapist (ATR) credential through a combination of qualifying education and supervised experience. Board certification for a Registered Art Therapist is an additional step and requires an exam.

Music therapists are certified through the Certification Board for Music Therapists.

Dance therapists are certified through the Dance/Movement Therapy Certification Board.

PASTORAL COUNSELING

The American Association of Pastoral Counselors (http://www.aapc.org/) offers certification for Pastoral Counseling. There are several certification categories available. The American Association of Pastoral Counselors provides a full roster of counselor licensing boards throughout the U.S. To review the roster, please click here.

For information on licensure relevant to clergy and pastoral counselors, it’s best to contact your state’s counselor licensing board directly.

Source :  http://counselor-education.com/counseling-certifications/

Professional Counselor Licensing Education

TYPES OF LICENSED COUNSELORS

Most counseling professions require at least the minimum education of a Master’s degree, post degree supervised clinical experience, and passing of the National Counselor Examination (or an equivalent exam recognized by the state in which you might be practicing). All states, including the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, require licensure for Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC’s).

Licensed Professional Counselors are trained professionals devoted to helping individuals, and families, in need. Licensed counselors often work with people suffering from mental health and behavioral, or emotional, issues. There are many other areas in which counselors are needed that go beyond traditional emotional, or behavioral, problems. Various types of counselors are available to help you work through issues in life, such as: difficult personal decisions, career planning, challenging relationships, and other hurdles.

Listed below are many different types of licensed counselors that are trained to help, and guide,  individuals and families in need. Make sure to click on the counseling career specialty that interests you in order to learn more and find out what it takes to earn an education in that field.

• Mental Health Counselors
• Marriage and Family Therapists
• Addiction and Substance Abuse Counselors
• Rehabilitation Counselors
• Transformational Counselors
• Spiritual Counselors
• Geriatric Counselors
• Veterans Counselors
• Child Pediatric Counselors
• Child Abuse Counselors
• School Counselors
• Community Mental Health Counselors
• Suicide Counselors
• Depression Counselors
• Grief Counselors
• Domestic Violence Counselors
• Board Certified Behavior Analysts

Source :  http://counselor-education.com/