Career Counseling Certificate Programs and Job Facts

<h3 id="section---WhatYouNeedToKnow">What You Need to Know</h3> <p>Career counselors assist and guide students or clients as they decide on which vocation to pursue. Education requirements vary depending on the state and the individual employer, but a bachelor's degree is normally the minimum education level required. </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><td><b>Programs</b></td><td> Often offered as graduate-level certificate programs; 1-2 years in duration; both classroom-based, hybrid and online programs available; some require a master's degree</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Mean Salary (2021)*</b></td><td> $63,090 (<i>For all school and career counselors</i>)</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Job Outlook (2021-2031)*</b></td><td> 10% (<i>For all school and career counselors</i>)</td></tr> </table><p><i>Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i> </p> <h3 id="section---WhatKindOfCertificateProgramsAreAvailable">What Kind of Certificate Programs Are Available?</h3> <p>Certificate programs in career counseling are generally available at the graduate level and are usually designed for school counselors. These are flexible programs that you can complete in 1-2 years with classroom or online courses. You'll learn different counseling techniques focusing on career-oriented mentoring. You can enroll in most of these programs with a bachelor's degree, though some may require a master's degree for admission. In addition to an internship or supervised counseling requirement, your coursework could cover the following areas: </p> <ul><li>Career program design </li><li>Career evaluation </li><li>Counseling and career education methodology </li><li>Educational psychology </li></ul><h3 id="section---WhatWouldIDoAsACareerCounselor">What Would I Do as a Career Counselor?</h3> <p>As a career counselor, you could work in schools, universities, career-assistance firms and employment search centers helping clients or students with career-oriented tasks, such as assessing career skills, building resumes and applying for jobs. You'd guide young adults to determine their career interests or help clients who are experiencing a stressful career transition. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the employment of career counselors was expected to increase 8% from 2019-2029, much faster than the national average (<i>www.bls.gov</i>). </p> <h3 id="section---HowMuchWouldIMake">How Much Would I Make?</h3> <p>According to the BLS, the mean annual salary for school and career counselors was $63,090 as of May 2021. However, your income can vary based on where you work. The BLS reports, in descending order, the top-paying states for career counselors as California, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Washington, and Maryland, with mean annual wages ranging from $72,730 to $81,590 respectively. </p> <h3 id="section---WhatDoINeedForEmployment">What Do I Need For Employment?</h3> <p>Requirements for career counseling positions vary by state and employer. If you want to offer vocational counseling in a school environment, you'll usually need specific training and state licensure. Some government agencies also require that you obtain a certain level of education and licensure. To work in private industry, you might want to consider earning at least a bachelor's degree and a career counseling graduate certificate to increase your employment potential.</p>