The work environment for counselors varies depending on occupational specialty:

• School counselors work mostly in schools, in offices or classrooms
• Other counselors may work in private practice, community health organizations or hospitals

Work schedules for counselors depend on occupational specialty and work setting:

• Some school counselors work 9 to 10 month school year with a 2 to 3 month vacation, some are employed 11 months or full year, particularly those working in middle and high schools
• School counselors usually work the same hours as teachers
• School counselors may travel frequently to attend conferences and conventions
• College career planning and placement counselors work long and irregular hours during student recruiting periods
• Rehabilitation counselors usually work a 40 hour week
• Self employed counselors and those working in mental health and community agencies like substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors sometimes work evenings to counsel clients who work during the day
• Mental health, marriage and family therapists, both work flexible hours to accommodate families in crisis or working couples that need evening or weekend appointments

Education and training requirements for counselors:

• Are often detailed and vary by State and specialty
• A master’s degree is usually required to be licensed as a counselor
• Some states require counselors in public employment to have a master’s degree, others accept a bachelor’s degree with appropriate counseling courses

Counselor education programs of study include:

• College student affairs
• Elementary or secondary school counseling
• Education
• Gerontological counseling
• Marriage and family therapy
• Substance abuse counseling
• Rehabilitation counseling
• Agency or community counseling
• Clinical mental health counseling
• Career counseling

Courses often include:

• Human growth and development
• Social and cultural diversity
• Relationships
• Group work
• Career development
• Assessment
• Research and program evaluation
• Professional identity

An accredited master’s degree program includes:

• 48 to 60 semester hours of graduate study
• A period of supervised clinical experience in counseling

It is common for counselors to participate in graduate studies, workshops and personal studies to maintain certificates and licenses.

Continued in Part 4

Source:  Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09 Edition, Counselors, on the Internet

Written by:  Connie Limon  For more career description information visit http://smalldogs2.com/CareerDescriptions  For a variety of FREE reprint articles and special topic articles rarely found elsewhere visit Camelot Articles at http://www.camelotarticles.com

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