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Those who work in the counseling profession are highly trained individuals dedicated to helping people with their every-day problems. A guidance counselor in particular helps students in high school to understand themselves, their career and educational goals, and counsel them on any problems they might encounter during these typically tough years.

If you are interested in getting your guidance counselor degree, you will want to follow several steps in order to maximize your time and education. Although there might be some variation depending on the school you attend or whether you are attending part-time or full-time, these are the basic steps for getting your guidance counselor degree.

First, it is essential that you have your high school diploma. Without this, you cannot usually gain entry to a college or university, and you need to spend several years attaining higher degrees in order to get your guidance counselor degree.

Once you’ve graduated from high school, you must earn your bachelor’s degree. This is an undergraduate degree that will prepare you for the additional education required to become a high school guidance counselor. Although you can pursue any major program that interests you, there are some that will prepare you for your guidance counselor degree more than others. These courses include social science, psychology and communications.

The next step is to work towards your master’s degree. Most states require that guidance counselors have a master’s degree, or some form of graduate education. This level of education requires that you sharpen your focus much more than a bachelor degree. Typical courses suitable for a guidance counselor degree include education, counseling and other similar areas.

In order to practice at a public school, you usually must obtain a certificate or license at this point. Although this stage varies from state to state, most states require some form of counseling certification before you are allowed to work.

A teaching license is mandatory in some situations and in some states. In addition, regulations may stipulate that a counselor must have several years of teaching experience before he or she is able to work as a counselor.

Although each state has different regulations, you can become a guidance counselor in most cases with a bachelor degree, a master degree and some type of certificate. This career is extremely rewarding, and will equip you with the methodology necessary to help young adults deal with a transitory time in their lives.