Is counseling the right career for you?

What does the counseling profession entail?

Professional Counselors are graduate-level (either master’s or doctoral degree) mental health service providers, trained to work with individuals, families, and groups in treating mental, behavioral, and emotional problems and disorders.

A Professional Counselor will possess a master’s or doctoral degree in one of the following areas:

  • Addiction Counseling
  • Career Counseling
  • Clinical Mental Health or Community Agency Counseling
  • Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling
  • School Counseling
  • Student Affairs and College Counseling
  • Gerontological Counseling, or
  • Counselor Education & Supervision

Becoming a Counselor

Education

  1. Obtain Bachelor’s Degree as a prerequisite, in a liberal arts major
  2. Obtain Master’s Degree in a counseling program

The national accrediting bodies for counseling programs include: Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs (CACREP) and Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE).

  • CACREP is an independent agency recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation to accredit master's degree programs in Counseling and related Education Programs.
    Review CACREP here.
  • CORE accredits graduate programs which provide academic preparation for a variety of professional rehabilitation counseling positions.
    Review CORE here.

 Experience

  1. Practicum
  2. Internships
These experiences will be outlined and included in your Counseling program to receive hands-on experience in the counseling profession.

License/Certification Process

After completion of graduate-level coursework, in order to find meaningful employment, professional counselors have the option(s) to become a National Certified Counselor (NCC), Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, and/or a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). 

The National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC) certification program recognizes counselors who have met predetermined standards in their training, experience and performance on the National Counselor Examination for Licensure and Certification (NCE), the most portable credentialing examination in counseling.  Read more.

The Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) is an independent, not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of individuals with disabilities.  CRCC sets the standard for quality rehabilitation counseling services through its internationally recognized certification program. Read more 

For more information regarding professional licensure and requirements contact your state board.

Considering a PhD

A doctorate is not necessary to practice; most practitioners are educated at the masters-level.

A doctorate is for professionals who want to become expert Researchers, Educators, Supervisors, or Consultants.

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  • Stay ahead of the educational learning curve
  • Advocate for the counseling care of tomorrow
  • Expand your networking connections

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Latest News

ACA 2013 Graduate Student Essay Competitions Winners

by Don Kenneally | Feb 22, 2013
The 2013 ACA Graduate Student Essay competition has come to a close and the 32 winning essayists have been chosen.

The 2013 ACA Graduate Student Essay competition has come to a close and the 32 winning essayists are identified below. The ACA Foundation is pleased to announce that a record 271 essays were contributed to the Future School Counselors Essay Competition (sponsored by the Roland and Dorothy Ross Trust) and the Graduate Student Essay Competition (sponsored by Gerald and Marianne Corey and Allen and Mary Bradford Ivey).

The ACA Foundation would like to recognize the very strong submissions received this year to the essay competitions and thank all essayists for their individual contribution. Essayists are encouraged to join the award winners and many other fellow students at the ACA Conference, March 21-24, 2013 in Cincinnati, Ohio.

ACA Foundation’s Gerald and Marianne Corey and Allen and Mary Bradford Ivey Graduate Student Essay Competition

Grand Prize Winner:  Jenna Meyerberg – Georgian Court University

Runners-up: (in alphabetical order)

  • Angela Bryner – Western Illinois University
  • Everett Painter – University of Tennessee – Knoxville
  • Emily Shields – University at Buffalo, State University of New York
  • Alissa Weinberger – New Mexico State University
  • Abigail Wengerd – Duquesne University

Honorable Mentions: (in alphabetical order)

  • Cara Blakes – University of Alabama at Birmingham
  • Liz Hickey – New Jersey City University
  • Eleni Honderich - College of William and Mary
  • Bonnie Kozminski – Capella  University
  • Summer Milton – Mid America Christian University
  • Michelle Monforton – Oakland University
  • Julia Olson – Regis University
  • Michele M. Pappert – Oakland University
  • Jose Bullecer Rebustes III – Kean University
  • Travis Watson – Slippery Rock University 

The Roland and Dorothy Ross Trust Graduate Student Essay for Future School Counselors

Grand Prize Winner:  Jessica A. Jackson - Loyola University

Runners-up: (in alphabetical order)

  • Mary Carideo – DePaul University
  • Elizabeth Drumm - Xavier University
  • Susan Gallagher - George Washington University
  • Ora C. Smith - Central Michigan University
  • Angeline T. P. Teoh – Regent University

Honorable Mentions: (in alphabetical order)

  • Emily Adams - Fairfield University
  • Oyundelger Enkhtur – Western Michigan University
  • Adam M. Hanson – Old Dominion University
  • Kristen Hauck – Virginia Tech - Falls Church
  • Lynn Heramis – Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
  • Angela Ness – Capella University
  • Rosalie Pleiman – University of Dayton
  • Chimela Soublet – Our Lady of Holy Cross College
  • Andrea Sulek – Eastern Michigan University
  • Bryn Thatcher – Bowling Green State University