Building a career is an integral part of life that can provide financial stability and personal growth. It requires dedication and strategic planning. Start by doing a self-assessment and narrowing your career options. Research industries, talk to professionals, and take on internships. Compare your current situation to the dream job you want and plan how to get there. Use goal-setting techniques like SMART goals.
Coursework
The best online school counseling programs will provide a rigorous curriculum with practical experience. Ideally, you will gain field experience in your community, working with students of different ages and backgrounds to develop professional skills to help them succeed in their career paths. Accredited school counselor degree online uses a synchronous learning model to unite students worldwide to collaborate on assignments. Its curriculum includes courses on human development, research methods in counselor education, group counseling for school counselors, counseling theory and techniques, and more.
In addition, the program emphasizes practical experiences by providing degree-seekers with a 100-hour practicum and a 600-hour internship. These field experiences can help prepare you for licensure as a school counselor.
Internships
Students who pursue an online school counseling degree are often required to complete internships or practicums as part of their fieldwork training. It can vary based on the field of study and the requirements set forth by credentialing organizations. Internships provide valuable experience in the real world that cannot be replicated in a classroom or textbook. They also allow students to see if a particular career path or niche captures their passion, allowing them to change course before becoming fully enmeshed in a field that no longer excites them. As such, finding suitable internships is critical to a successful career. Speak with instructors, former students, and the career center at your university for advice on how to find an internship that best fits your academic and professional objectives. They can point you toward opportunities that meet your school’s internship standards for skills development and employee safety, which are more likely to lead to academic credit.
Accreditation
Choosing an accredited online school counseling program can make all the difference in your future. A master’s degree in this field focuses on relevant challenges facing schools today and teaches aspiring counselors how to work with students, teachers, parents, and other community members to ensure student success. Many of these programs also teach students how to navigate ethical and legal restrictions that apply to their profession. Accreditation is a significant factor in whether you can qualify for scholarships. If you choose to transfer colleges, it simplifies the application process and makes credit transfers easier. In addition, a degree from an accredited university can help you prepare for state licensure exams commonly required to become a licensed counselor. You can check a school’s accreditation status by contacting the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or consulting the Department of Education’s list of recognized accrediting organizations. In particular, some employers and licensing boards prefer a counseling degree from an institution with national or programmatic accreditation from the Council for Counseling and Related Educational Programs.
Career Opportunities
In addition to learning about the most relevant issues affecting today’s students, graduates of a CACREP-accredited program can be confident that they have mastered the academic skills necessary to become successful school counselors. It includes a firm grasp of the ethical and legal issues they will face in their careers. School counseling degree holders can work in public and private schools nationwide upon graduation. They may also pursue opportunities in related fields, such as marriage therapy, mental health counseling, or community service management. A Master’s in School Counseling lays the foundation for a rewarding career that can help shape the lives of young people and make them better, brighter, happier, more confident versions of themselves. Discover what Southeastern Oklahoma State University offers with their MA in School Counseling online program to become an essential part of their journeys.
