Formal Education

• Education requirements vary by state and by the area of specialty. Most counseling jobs require at least a master's degree, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Before obtaining a master's, aspiring counselors must complete a bachelor's degree program, preferably in a related field such as psychology, sociology or education. Students should develop a solid background in the principles of human growth and development, counseling, behavioral psychology, statistics, group dynamics and other relevant subject areas. A bachelor's degree usually takes four years to complete, while the master's degree generally takes two years and includes a major research project. Master's degrees require between 48 and 60 credit hours and significant supervised clinical experience.
  
  

Experience

• Counselors work closely with people in a clinical setting and therefore need as much experience as possible working in this environment. Prospective counselors should gain experience by volunteering, working or interning in counseling centers, schools and other places where their services are needed. They should gain experience working with clients with a range of ages, backgrounds and crises. Having experience working with both individuals and groups is also useful. Many counselors acquire professional experience while pursuing their undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.
  
  

Certification and Licensing

• All counselors must be licensed to work in the state they plan to work in. Licensing requirements differ depending on the state and the type of counseling. Most licenses require a master's degree, 3,000 hours or two years of postgraduate supervised clinical experience and successful completion of a state-approved licensing exam. In order to maintain the license counselors usually have to complete additional continuing education courses every few years. Both the National Board for Certified Counselors and the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification offer voluntary certification to counselors who fulfill their requirements (see Resources). Counselors who hold specialized advanced certificates can expect to earn more money and have greater career options.
  
  

Skills and Personal Qualities

• The job of a counselor can be quite challenging, and it's not the right career for everyone. Counselors should be patient, caring individuals committed to helping others who may be struggling with emotional problems. They should be able to relate to a wide range of people and inspire confidence and trust in the individuals they treat. This can be a stressful job, so counselors should ideally have a high threshold for stress.