Though some people use the terms “guidance counseling” and “school counseling” interchangeably, often, a school counselor has much broader duties. This includes evaluating students’ educational abilities, assessing students for mental disorders, training teachers in the latest educational theory, working with parents to create a home environment that supports education, and many other academic, social, and emotionally-based activities.
In some situations, guidance counseling is simply that – helping students create their class schedule, meet graduation requirements, and determine what their next step in life will be, be that trade school, college, the military, and so forth.
Given that school counselors have so many duties, online school counseling programs are very broad-based. Students in these programs explore topics that range from educational research to psychology, interpersonal communication to psychological assessment, ethics to child development, and many topics in between.
Many programs have also devised coursework that trains school counselors to manage crisis situations as well.
Furthermore, since school counselors work not just with students, but also with parents, guardians, teachers, administrators, and other stakeholders, school counseling programs often include learning opportunities that develop students’ abilities to communicate effectively with different groups, improve empathy, and focus on organizational skills as well.
What Do You Learn in an Online School Counseling Program?
In an online school counseling program, you will learn a wide range of skills and knowledge related to the field of school counseling. Here’s an overview of what you can expect:
- Understanding of Child and Adolescent Development: You will delve into the psychological, social, and cognitive development of children and adolescents. This understanding will help you guide them through the various challenges they may face in their school life and personal development.
- Counseling Techniques: The program will equip you with a broad range of counseling techniques and strategies, including individual and group counseling, crisis intervention, and conflict resolution.
- Theoretical Foundations: You will learn the underlying theories of counseling and psychology, such as humanistic, cognitive-behavioral, and psychodynamic theories.
- Ethical and Legal Issues: This important component of your program will cover the legal rights and responsibilities of students, parents, and schools, as well as the professional ethical guidelines for school counselors.
- Diversity and Multicultural Counseling: In today’s diverse school environments, you will learn how to respect and accommodate the cultural, racial, and socioeconomic differences among students.
- Academic Development: You will study how to support academic development, including college and career counseling, study skills, and testing strategies.
- Assessment and Evaluation: The program will teach you how to conduct assessments, interpret results, and use this information to create effective intervention strategies and IEPs (Individualized Education Programs).
- Family and Community Collaboration: You will learn how to work with parents, teachers, and other community resources to support students’ success.
- Practicum and Internship Experience: Most programs include supervised experiences in school settings where you will apply your learning in real-world situations.
Every school counseling program is different and may emphasize different aspects of school counseling. So it’s important to carefully review the curriculum of any program you’re considering to make sure it aligns with your career goals.
What Can You Do With a School Counseling Program?
A school counseling degree opens up a range of interesting career paths, where you can truly make a difference in people’s lives. Let’s explore some of these exciting options:
- School Counselor: Naturally, the most direct role you could step into. Here, you’d support students of all ages in both public and private schools, helping them navigate through personal, academic, and developmental matters.
- Guidance Counselor: A slightly more specialized role, with a focus on aiding students in making decisions about their academic and career paths. You’d be their guide for college applications, vocational training, and discovering potential scholarships.
- College Counselor: In this position, you’d be based at a university or college, supporting students in adjusting to university life, deciding on courses and majors, and preparing for their post-graduation careers.
- Career Counselor: Perfect for those who want to assist individuals in discovering the right career paths. You could find yourself working in a variety of settings, from colleges and job centers to private practices.
- Rehabilitation Counselor: Here, you’d work with individuals coping with various disabilities, providing them with the counseling and support services they need to live independently.
- Child and Family Therapist: With some additional training and licensing, you could provide therapy to families and children in a clinical setting, addressing a range of issues.
- Education Consultant: A more strategic role, you’d partner with educational organizations, districts, or schools to help them improve their school counseling programs.
- Program Director or Coordinator: With some experience under your belt, you could move into managerial roles, overseeing counseling programs, supervising teams, and even influencing policy.
These are just a few examples of the many opportunities you could pursue with a school counseling degree. The specific roles you’re eligible for will depend on various factors, such as the level of your degree, any additional certifications, and your accumulated work experience.