Online Guidance Counselor Degree Programs

If you are just starting out and are interested in a career as a school counselor, you may pursue an associate's degree in counseling online before completing a bachelor's degree in psychology. Most states require counselors to have a master's degree, in addition to licensure and certification. Some states require counselors in public employment to have a master's degree; others accept a bachelor's degree with appropriate counseling courses such as these, which are found in online continuing education or certificate programs:

An online AA degree is a great way to begin your degree program while continuing to work. You can complete your basic coursework, such as writing, biology and math classes online in a 1- or 2-year program. You can then go on to finish a bachelor's degree program in psychology or counseling.

To become a counselor, you will need to choose between a bachelor of science (BS) or a bachelor of arts (BA) degree in counseling. A BS focuses more on courses such as human growth and development, research methods, abnormal psychology and physiological psychology, whereas a BA may focus on sociological and cultural aspects of psychology and human development as well. You can earn both degrees online, and some online counseling degree programs even offer a combination of the bachelor's and master's degree programs in counseling, which will decrease the time you'll need to get your degree.

Psychologists or private counselors can enhance their careers or change career paths by pursuing a second master's degree with an emphasis in school or career counseling. An online degree may work best for you, because you can continue to work while earning a 1- or 2-year master's degree in a specialized field such as vocational rehabilitation or elementary and secondary educational counseling.

While earning an online counseling PhD, you will choose a specialty, such as child psychology, family psychology, organization psychology or health psychology. Within a specialty, a PhD holder may elect to pursue research, education, clinical practice or consultation.

Some of the coursework that you will encounter in an online PhD program may include the following:

• Principles and practices of vocational rehabilitation
• Career development for women
• Foundations of testing
• Disabilities and career rehabilitation
• Cultural psychology and education
• Racial identity in vocational rehabilitation
• Group counseling

You will also be required to complete a dissertation and licensure examination before practicing. Depending on the state you live in, ongoing continuing education may be required to continue to practice as a career or guidance counselor. Many of these courses are available online as well.

_{*2005, American School Counselor Association (ASCA)}