Do colleges have guidance counselors? If so, what degree will I need?

College Majors
1

Also, what level of degree (masters, ph.d.) will I need?

2

Colleges have advisors. My son’s engineering advisor has a degree in theology.

You can probably get a job like that with any degree but perhaps need to be involved with the school in a work fashion - such as in a department office, in admissions.

You might google your major and academic advisor at a college, find a name, and google them and see their background.

My nephew was a middle school teacher and he’s in the poli sci department at a flagship as an advisor.

Good luck.

1 Like
3

Community colleges have guidance counselors; those jobs tend to require an MA or MEd in educational counseling. Often they get paid better than the academic instructors at CC’s.

At four-year schools, the advising tends to be more split between faculty and people in administrative jobs with specific academic departments.

1 Like
4

Both of my kid’s had advisors who were faculty members (professors).

1 Like
5

Funny you say that. I didn’t think of that. At Bama my son has an advisor. That’s his job. I know at AZ too.

At Charleston my daughter has two advisors. Both profs.

I wonder if it matters the school size or major size.

1 Like
6

Colleges have advising regarding academic matters. Typical topics:

  1. For students who have declared a major, course selection and sequencing to complete the major and degree.
  2. For undeclared students, course selection and sequencing to explore possible majors.
  3. For community college students intending to transfer, course selection and sequencing to prepare for transfer to targeted four year schools and for the desired major(s).
1 Like
7

My D’s advisors are also professors. The only exception was freshmen year when her advisor was the associate dean. She had her Masters degree from the university.

1 Like
8

“Advisors” at colleges and universities come in many different flavors

There are DUAs = Departmental Undergraduate Advisors - provide advice for undergrads interested in the particular academic department’s offerings. Usually a professor.

DGA = Department Graduate Advisor - same but grad level. Usually also a professor.

UA = undergraduate advisor, but covers a broader area including distributional requirements, etc. May or may not overlap with Dean for both academic and disciplinary concerns. Usually a professional administrator, but can be a prof.

Freshman advisor. Some schools assign an additional advisor to guide the first years. Could be anything from a grad student to a Dean/administrator or a professor.

Residential advisor. Some schools have specific advisors assigned to different residential “Colleges” within the broader school. Again, can overlap with Deans, Heads of House (FKA House “Masters,” etc.)

and on, and on…

1 Like
9

Former academic advisor here (undergrad enrollment ~7k). Students had two types of advising:

  1. An academic success coach who helped with choosing a major, registration issues, meeting degree requirements, helping students navigate appropriate specific help when needed (disability services, career counseling, etc.) These folks had master’s degrees in areas such as Human Behavior, Educational Counseling, etc.

  2. Students also had a faculty advisor (a professor in their major) who helped with department-specific issues.

2 Likes
10

Would you happen to know if a MA in Psychology will be acceptable (or do they only want, or does this depend on the Community College)?

11

I recommend that you search through LikedIn for people working at colleges who have the job title of “counselor”, and see what education and previous job experience they have.

In general, this is a good idea for any career that interests you. If you are feeling particularly daring, you could reach out to a few via LinkedIn and ask to talk with them about how they ended up in that position.

Good luck - having a position in mind that interests you is great!

1 Like
12

Colleges definitely each do this differently.

Some have full time advisors by departments or majors who help with course selection, internships, and career counseling.

Others have professors in their majors/minors.

And some have separate advising departments and career counselors.

Look at current job postings to see what they are looking for and how the positions are structured. Most would want a masters level, but may not be particular about what it is in others may be narrowly focused on training.

1 Like
13

It is for at least some jobs. I searched Indeed for “community college counselor” and pulled up a listing in one of my local community college districts, and it said “Master’s degree in counseling, rehabilitation counseling, clinical psychology, counseling psychology, guidance counseling, educational counseling, social work, career development OR the equivalent.” You can do the same and look at a larger sample, to see whether this holds true as a rule.

2 Likes