Information on Master’s Degree Programs in College Counseling
Majors Overview August 17, 2015This article talks about master’s degree programs in college counseling and their education requirements, coursework, job and wage outlook, and continuing education choices.
Master’s Programs in College Counseling
Students keen on gaining knowledge about providing creative leadership, nurturing multicultural awareness and fostering innovative learning environments could benefit from enrolling in a Master of Science (M.S.) in Counseling program with a specialization in college counseling. Those who wish to work with students from diverse backgrounds, including minority and disabled students, may benefit from the coursework tailored to suit their needs. Students should ensure that the programs they choose have accreditation from the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs (CACREP). Graduates who seek more career choices may opt to enroll in doctoral degree programs.
Education Requirements
Admission criteria typically require incoming students to hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited school, in addition to submitting GRE scores and prior college transcripts.
Coursework
Program coursework consists of about 42 credit hours of supervised fieldwork in a student affairs office, classroom instruction, a capstone project, and a graduate assistantship. In the capstone project, students are normally required to complete and present a professional portfolio. Core coursework may cover topic areas such as:
•Foundations of higher education
•Adult education and development
•Diversity in student affairs practice
•Introductory college student affairs
•Ethical and legal and issues in college student affairs
Job and Wage Outlook
In 2012, educational, vocational, school and guidance counselors brought in an average annual wage of $53,610 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). Over the 2010 – 2020 decade, school and career counselors are expected to see a twelve percent average job growth (BLS).
Continuing Education Choices
Program graduates who seek to further their education can choose from many professional development and continuing education courses offered by education associations and organizations. These organizations include the National Association for College Admission Counseling, the American College Counseling Association, and the Independent Educational Consultants Association. Program graduates may also opt to enroll into doctorate degrees in college counseling among other related academic categories.
