Information on Master’s Degree Programs in Educational Counseling
Majors Overview August 16, 2015This article talks about master’s degree programs in educational counseling and their coursework, job and wage outlook, and continuing education choices.
Master’s Programs in Educational Counseling
Students interested in working in diverse K-12 educational environments could benefit from enrolling into Master of Education (M.Ed.) programs in Educational Counseling. In every state, a school counselor needs a master’s degree in counseling to acquire licensure, and in some states, counselors need to have a teaching license.
Most master’s degree programs in educational counseling span 48 credit hours long and students need about two years to complete them. Specializations in school or community counseling are typically available. Classroom instruction is given in a variety of counseling practices and theories, apart from real-world experiences in an appropriate setting.
An educational counseling master’s degree program often involves the exploration of numerous counseling procedures, discipline theories, and crisis intervention methods. Time working alongside professional school counselors is in the program curriculum.
Coursework
Program coursework is normally devised to help students obtain certification and licensure relevant to their chosen area of study, such as secondary or elementary school counseling. Core coursework may cover topic areas such as:
•Principles and procedures for individual appraisals
•Counseling in a multicultural environment
•Professional ethics in counseling
•Counseling theories and methods
Job and Wage Outlook
Program graduates have to obtain licensure before they can work as a school counselor (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). In some states, public school counselors need to have a certain minimum amount of teaching experience to augment both teaching and counseling certificates. In 2012, educational, guidance, school, and vocational counseling jobs brought in an average annual wage of $53,610 (BLS). During that year, counselors in a university or college setting earned $46,630 per annum, on average while those in elementary and secondary schools banked about $60,560 (BLS).
Continuing Education Choices
Program graduates who seek continuing education many choose to pursue a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) or a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Education. Conventions, professional development classes, workshops, and seminars for educational counselors are available through the American School Counseling Association and the American Counseling Association, among other organizations.
