What You Should Know About This Degree
Fields similar to school counseling include psychology and teaching. While psychologists also learn about cognitive, emotional, and social development, they work with people of varying ages and are usually required to participate in a postdoctoral program. Like school counselors, teachers work in educational settings. However, they defer to counselors about academic, social, and emotional problems.
Students should look for CACREP-accredited or APA-accredited school counseling programs. These accreditations help validate the quality of your learning program.
There is a consistent need for more school counselors in the United States. The field has an above-average growth rate of 8%, and it is estimated that there will be over 360,000 school counselors employed by 2029.
The process to become a school counselor varies among states. In general, you should hold a master’s degree in counseling or a similar field and have a state-issued credential. Certain states may require you to obtain licensure or gain classroom teaching experience.
What’s Next?
Here are some questions to ask when researching online doctorate in school counseling programs:
- How long does it take to complete this online degree? Most online doctorate programs in school counseling take two years to complete. However, programs can take up to four years if you are a part-time student.
- Are courses offered synchronously or asynchronously? While all online programs let students meet remotely, they have different delivery options. Asynchronous courses allow students to access and complete coursework at times that are convenient to them, while synchronous courses have a set class schedule. Students with other time commitments may prefer the heightened flexibility of asynchronous programs.
As you look through the different online school counseling programs available, you should carefully monitor application deadlines and required materials. This information can generally be found on the school’s website.
Another factor to consider is cost. If you’re looking for financial assistance, take the time to research scholarships and employer tuition benefits. You should also be aware of application deadlines.