Counseling - Bachelors

Education prerequisites for each counseling program vary based on occupational specialty and State licensure and certification requirements.  A master's counseling degree, from an accredited counseling college, is usually required to be licensed as a counselor.  Some states require counselors in public employment to have a master's counseling degree from an accredited counseling school; others accept a bachelor's degree, from an accredited counseling school, in conjunction with completion of the appropriate counseling programs.  Counselor education programs in colleges and universities are often found in departments of education or psychology.  Some counseling programs, within counseling school, include college student affairs, clinical mental health counseling, education, agency or community counseling, marriage and family therapy, substance abuse counseling, rehabilitation counseling, career counseling, and related fields.  Counseling programs are often grouped into eight principal areas.  In an accredited master's counseling degree program, 48 to 60 semester hours of graduate study, including a period of superintended clinical experience in counseling, are required.  Often counselors must participate in graduate counseling programs within a counseling school, personal studies, and workshops to retain their certificates and licenses.