How to Become a Professional Counselor
- 1). Get a bachelor’s degree, preferably in a major such as human services, psychology, social work or sociology.
- 2). Choose a counseling specialty in which to pursue further education. These include educational, vocational and school counselors; rehabilitation counselors; mental health counselors; substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors; and marriage and family therapists.
- 3). Earn a master’s degree, which is the typical requirement for certification or licensing as a counselor, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. An accredited master’s degree program lasts between 48 to 60 semester hours, including an internship period.
- 4). Complete licensing requirements. These vary by state, specialty and workplace setting. Licensing requires a specified amount of completed education and an examination.
Source...