Education Requirements for a Counselor in Arizona
- In order to become a counselor in Arizona, aspiring counselors must earn an associate degree or a bachelor degree. An associate's degree allows individuals to enter work right away in a public school working as a paraprofessional. A bachelor's degree in counseling or psychology allows individuals to start work at a teaching level. Bachelor degree program courses include Group Counseling, Abnormal Personalities, Guidance for the Classroom Teacher, Grief Counseling, Introduction to counseling and Youth at Risk.
- Arizona requires that counselors earn a master's degree or higher from an accredited school. They must also complete a graduate program in counseling or guidance from an accredited school to qualify for the post-graduate work. According to the American School Counselors Association (ASCA), school counseling master's degree programs teach students about human growth and development, theories, individual counseling, group counseling, social and cultural foundations and general career development. The program also typically includes a supervised practicum and supervised internship.
- Individuals must have the experience necessary to become a counselor in Arizona. Three different avenues are open to complete these requirements. Individuals with two years or more of school guidance counseling experience may simply acquire verification and meet these requirements, which is ideal for teachers moving to Arizona from another state. Individuals may also meet these requirements by completing three years of verified teaching experience, or take in a supervised counseling practicum while in a counseling program at an accredited institution.
- Once all educational and experience requirements are met, counselors must have all official transcripts from post-secondary schooling sent to the Arizona Department of Education Certification office. Counselors must also send in their Arizona Fingerprint Clearance Card, which is obtained through the Arizona Department of Education by calling 602-223-2279. The Arizona Department of Education will need to be contacted one more time in order to request the application for certification in school counseling. An application fee will be required upon handing in the application. Certified counselors from out of state can have the Arizona Department of Education review their current certification to see if the requirements are met for Arizona certification. If so, the state will issue an Arizona school counseling certification, or other appropriate certification.
