Student Counseling and Personnel Services

About Student Counseling and Personnel Services College Programs

Student counseling and personnel services postsecondary academic programs are generally listed under departments at accredited colleges and universities.  The programs cover psychology, sociology, special needs, administration, guidance counseling and student emotional, mental and physical disabilities.

Types of Student Counseling and Personnel Services Diplomas, Certificates and Degrees

Undergraduate certificates, diplomas and degrees in student counseling and personnel services are  Certificate or Diploma in Leadership Studies, Associate’s degree in Leadership Studies and the Bachelor's degree of Science in Education Counseling.  More rigorous and comprehensive graduate level certifications and degrees are Graduate Certificate in Professional Studies in Psychiatric Vocational Rehabilitation, Graduate Certificate in Career Planning and Placement for Youth in Transition, Master's degree of Science in Education Counseling, Master’s of College Student Personnel, Master’s of Rehabilitation Counseling, Doctorate degree of Counseling Psychology or the Doctorate of Counselor Education.

A difference between collegiate certificate and diploma programs and traditional degrees are that diploma and certificate programs generally take considerably less time to complete.  For example, you can finish a certificate or diploma program in as little as six months, reason being that the programs focus on the technical aspect of student counseling and personnel services.  Traditional college and university degrees, on the other hand, take between two and eight years to complete, depending on whether you attend college or university full-time or part-time.  These programs require you to complete electives (e.g. physical education, arts, religion).

Ways to Complete Student Counseling and Personnel Services Academic Programs

Online and classroom student counseling and personnel services program options are also available.  In today’s busy work environment, it can be stress relieving to know that you can complete student counseling and personnel services programs on your own schedule.  Generally all you need is a computer, Internet access and a telephone to complete the programs at an online college. 

Some colleges and universities use tele-seminars, webinars, videos and tele-conferencing to connect professors with their students.  Others use private emails, blogs and chat rooms.  The costs of online and classroom student counseling and personnel services programs are comparable.  However, some colleges and universities charge a fee for students to access their online databases and systems.

Student Counseling and Personnel Services College Curriculum

Courses covered in student counseling and personnel services programs are:

• Basics in the counseling process
• Assessment in counseling
• Counseling theory and practice
• Group counseling
• Practicum in groups
• Human development
• Career counseling
• Psychology
• Sociology
• Developmental disorders
• Multicultural counseling
• Ethics and issues in counseling

Far Reaching Benefits of Completing Student Counseling and Personnel Services Programs

The numbers of postsecondary schools that realize the value of a certificate, diploma or degree must extend beyond paper and ink are increasing.  These colleges and universities know that you must gain more than an academic education when you major or minor in subjects like student counseling and personnel services.  They realize that you must earn skills and knowledge that will benefit you throughout your life, skills and knowledge that can also benefit your children and future generations in your family.  Therefore, top postsecondary schools ensure that when you enroll in a student counseling and personnel services program you gain:

• Ability to understand and connect with youth
• Appreciation for people from diverse backgrounds
• Understanding of human psychology
• Awareness of educational tools, analysis and resources
• Effective communication styles
• Active listening skills
• Ability to coach and guide others without being intrusive or demanding

Job Prospects for Student Counseling and Personnel Services

Jobs for student counselors are expected to grow by 14 percent from 2008 through 2018 according to the United States Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics. Counselors who work with substance abuse programs are expected to see a 21 percent job increase.  If student counselors go on to work at mental health facilities they are expected to see job growth at 24 percent.  Furthermore, the top 10 percent of school counselors earned more than $82,330 as of May 2008 according to the Bureau.