If I wanted to be a guidance counselor, what would I major in and how long would it take to get a degree??

Answer 1

Your undergraduate major could be in any subject but you should perhaps choose something like Math, Biology, Spanish, English, or History because that is a good lead-in to teaching (see next). Another good option is Psychology because the degree you need will be very psychologically based.

Next, get your teaching license. In some states this is just taking a test, but in other states you have to do a certificate or master's to be qualified to teach. You should have some subject matter experience so you are qualified to teach a subject taught in high schools.

Then, after you have been teaching for a couple of years, you can pick up a Master's in Counseling (certificate in Guidance Counseling) at night and during the summers. Then, you can get a job as a guidence counselor.

I understand that in some state a few years of teaching is required and in others it is just preferred. But it is routine that guidance counselors have some classroom experience.

Answer 2

You need a Master's degree to be a guidance counselor.

Your undergrad degree can be in any number of things (Psych, Education, Sociology, Anthopology, etc-- anything related to people or education would work), and then for grad school you major in School Guidance Counseling.

Undergrad is usually 4 years, plus 1 to 3 years for grad school.
And after all that, you need to take tests to get certified in your state.

Contrary to above, you do NOT need to be a teacher first. However, it may help with the job-finding "politics".

Answer 3

Like a high school guidance counselor, you would have to get a degree in secondary education and then specialize in counseling.

It shouldn't be longer than a 4 year program.