Educational Consultant Certification and Career
Educational consultants help students and parents with their higher education choices. Continue reading to learn about career info and certification options for educational consultants.
What You Need to Know
As an educational consultant, you can work with parents and students to help them understand the college admissions process. You may assist students in finding a college that fits their needs or answer questions about school programs or financial aid policies. You may travel extensively to acquire knowledge of colleges and schools throughout the country.
<table border="1"><tr><td><b>Classes</b></td><td> Sponsored by the College Board</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Certification</b></td><td> Awarded by the American Institute of Certified Educational Planners (AICEP), must be renewed every five years</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Training Options</b></td><td> Financial aid issues, educational consulting ethics, student needs assessment, resources and tools for educational consultants, and business promotion</td></tr>
</table><h3 id="section---HowCanIObtainCertification">How Can I Obtain Certification?</h3><p>Educational consultant certification may be obtained through the American Institute of Certified Educational Planners (AICEP). Certification is available for high school and college counselors and independent educational consultants. Although there is no professional requirement for certification, it may demonstrate your professional expertise and level of training in helping parents and students to choose a school.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatDoINeedToDoToMaintainCertification">What Do I Need to Do To Maintain Certification?</h3><p>To maintain your AICEP certification, you must become re-certified every five years. Re-certification requires a specified number of college and school visits each year, involvement in professional activities and continuing education classes sponsored by the College Board. The requirements for certification typically involve in-person study and experiences.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatAreTheRequirements">What are the Requirements?</h3><p>The AICEP requires you to hold a master's degree, provide professional references, demonstrate work experience in the field, show involvement in professional activities and be currently employed at least part-time as a college or high school counselor or educational consultant. You must also pass an essay exam covering the topics of professional and institutional knowledge. This test is administered at proctored locations and at major association meetings.
</p><h3 id="section---WhoOffersContinuingEducation">Who Offers Continuing Education?</h3><p>You can find continuing education training through the Independent Educational Consultants Association or through other professional associations such as the National Association for College Admission Counseling, the Higher Education Consultants Association or the National Association of Independent Schools. Classes, workshops and conferences are available in many locations several times each year throughout the country.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatIsTheCareerOutlookForEducationalConsultants">What Is the Career Outlook for Educational Consultants?</h3><p>The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported employment of 336,000 for school and career counselors as of 2021. This profession was projected to grow at a rate of 10% between 2021-2031. Demand for school counselors is expected to grow due to increased enrollment in schools, universities and career counseling centers. These professionals made an average of $60,510 per year as of 2021, according to the BLS.</p>