Online school counseling degrees open a gateway to the world of the education system and enable psychological professionals to make a positive impact on the lives of children at the K-12 level.
A school counselor influences a child’s life in many ways, including helping them discover academic- and career-oriented goals, and navigate social development on the path to adulthood. School counselors work with students, their families, teachers and administrators to set a course for success.
Pursuing online school counseling degrees allows candidates time and freedom to develop ideas and work toward graduation at an independent pace. It also opens the doors of networking so vital to job placement by requiring field experience and placing the student with practicing professionals, who can help mentor their careers while they complete their education.
Online School Counseling Degree Choices
If pursuing online school counseling degrees, it helps to know what is out there. As an initial requirement to work as a school counselor, you will need more than just a bachelor’s degree.
Most undergraduate coursework still takes place on campus though more course offerings are moving to the distance learning environment. Once you have procured a bachelor’s degree, it’s time to move into your field of specialty.
Online Master’s Degree for School Counseling
Online master’s degree programs for this field may include any one of the following:
• Master of Arts (MA)
• Master of Science (MS)
• Master of Education (M.Ed.)
Most candidates, who wish to pursue a career in school counseling, opt for the Master of Education program, which better familiarizes one with the learning environment of the K-12 student as well as the behavioral, emotional, or mental issues that a child may face in his academic career.
As most states require teaching certification and classroom experience for the individual wishing to become a school counselor, the M.Ed. program makes more sense because it covers the licensure and testing requirements that one must face before earning eligibility for employment.
While a MS or MA degree is also accepted in the educational field, one may still have to submit to PRAXIS testing and earn a teaching certificate, so it is advantageous to take care of these requirements ahead of time with the M.Ed. program.
Online Doctorate Programs for School Counselors
Earning your doctorate online is the next step once you have attained a master’s degree. Throughout the course of a lifetime, a doctoral graduate will earn 45% more than colleagues with a master’s degree, placing them at the top of their field in both prestige and salary. Degree plans for the doctoral candidate include:
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) or Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)
• Doctor of Education (EdD)
A PhD and a PsyD have very few differences between them. They represent the highest level of expertise in the field of psychology, and make the candidate more marketable throughout the psychology and counseling communities.
However, it is the EdD specialty that most school counselors pursue because of the emphasis that it places on the educational environment.
In both cases, a teaching certificate and classroom experience may still be required, but successful completion of a doctorate program opens every door of opportunity for a school counselor, even allowing eligibility for a school administrator position.
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