You may be wondering how to become a guidance counselor as you consider your career options in life. Perhaps you had a high school guidance counselor who made a big impact in your life, and you want to do the same for others. Whatever your reasons for wanting to become a guidance counselor, it is a good choice that can be very rewarding both financially and personally. You will be able to help students determine what their strengths, skills and interests are so that they can make the appropriate choices in terms of higher education, job training and career options.
The first step of how to become a guidance counselor is to get a bachelor’s degree that includes courses in important areas such as communications, psychology and the social sciences. There are few limits on the particular undergraduate courses needed to become a high school guidance counselor, so there’s some room for personal preference when choosing your major. Most states, though, will also require that you complete a master’s degree in a program such as education, secondary school counseling or a related subject. It’s a good idea to get some career information from a local college to determine what your educational path will need to be in order to make your career goals happen.
Once you have your degree, you will need to become licensed and obtain a teaching certificate to become a guidance counselor. The guidance counselor license will require some continuing education credits, and the teacher certification requirements will vary by state, with most states also requiring a few years of teaching experience before stepping into the role of counselor.
As a high school guidance counselor you will have duties such as administering aptitude tests, conducting interviews and meeting with students for counseling sessions. You may even get to work side by side with students as they apply for college and seek out scholarships and financial aid. The average salary for high school guidance counselors is around $42,000 with full benefits, and with more experience this will continue to increase over time. It is a good idea to visit with a guidance counselor in your area and ask them about how to become a guidance counselor. They can give you personal insight and specific information about the requirements in your area.
Institutions offering quality School Counseling Programs include University of Phoenix, and Argosy University.
Find the perfect Psychology School or School Counseling College today and start your path to a rewarding career.
Author Resource:
To know more about Top Psychology Schools and Psychology colleges visit http://psychologyschoolsu.com
![[Valid RSS feed]](http://www.look4articles.com/images/icon_Rss.png "XML Feed For RSS"){kind=icon}
Category Rss Feed
Print This Article
Add To Favorites
![[Valid RSS feed]](http://www.look4articles.com/images/rss.jpg "XML Feed For RSS")