Your Guide to Top CAREER Counselor Training in Kansas: Courses and Certifications

Are you aiming to become a career counselor in Kansas? This guide lays out the crucial steps for career counselor training in Kansas, delivering direct information on accredited educational programs, licensure procedures, and certification exams. With actionable insights, you’ll learn how to navigate the path from education to practice, ensuring you meet Kansas’s professional standards for a fulfilling career in counseling.

How to Become a Career Counselor in Kansas

The path to becoming a counselor in Kansas begins with a solid academic foundation. The fundamental requirement is acquiring a master’s degree in counseling, a stepping stone to becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC). Graduating from an accredited master’s degree program is a mandatory step in this journey, as it ensures that the curriculum meets the necessary educational standards.

Obtaining licensure not only permits you to practice counseling in Kansas, but also paves the way for career advancement, especially for career counselors. This is where the importance of obtaining a master’s degree and licensure shines, as they equip you with the qualifications to work within a variety of settings.

Education Prerequisites

Before you can enroll in a master’s degree in counseling, there’s a prerequisite to fulfill – a bachelor’s degree. This requirement paves the way for your admission into a master’s degree in counseling graduate program.

The good news is that there isn’t a rigid specification for the field of your bachelor’s degree. As long as it’s in a related field, it can pave the way for your admission into a counseling graduate program. This flexibility allows you to explore different disciplines at the undergraduate level while keeping your options open for a counseling career.

Master’s Degree Program Options

Upon completion of your undergraduate education, you can then enter the realm of graduate studies. Kansas offers a variety of accredited master’s degree programs in counseling. For instance, Emporia State University offers an accredited Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling, which is ideal for individuals aiming to become career counselors. This program not only offers comprehensive course credits but also includes 900 clock hours of supervised field experience.

If you wish to explore different specializations, Ottawa University provides a Master of Arts in Counseling degree. The program offers unique areas of focus such as Expressive Arts Therapy, Gerocounseling, and Treatment of Trauma, Abuse & Deprivation, catering to diverse career counseling interests.

Licensure Requirements for Career Counselors in Kansas

Upon finishing your master’s degree in counseling, pursuing licensure is the subsequent step. To become either a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) in Kansas, you must complete a graduate degree in counseling encompassing at least 60 semester credits from a regionally accredited institution. These credits should include coursework covering various areas including:

counseling theory
group dynamics
human growth
professional orientation
15 credits focused on the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders

To further progress from an LPC to an LCPC, counselors in Kansas must complete additional graduate-level training in the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders and gain clinical experience under the supervision of an LCPC. Licensed counselors in Kansas are bound by a code of ethics and must complete continuing education credits to maintain high professional standards.

Supervised Clinical Experience

Beyond academic credentials, Kansas mandates that aspiring counselors accumulate 4,000 hours of supervised experience for licensure. This includes 1,500 hours dealing directly with clients, which allows you to gain firsthand experience in the field.

For those seeking to become LCPCs, there is an additional requirement of 15 credits of coursework focusing on diagnosis and assessments as well as a supervised clinical practicum including a minimum of 350 hours of direct client contact. This process may extend your program to a third year, but it enriches your practical skills and prepares you for the transition from LPC to LCPC, which includes completing these 4,000 hours over two years.

National Counselor Examination (NCE)

The journey towards licensure as a professional counselor in Kansas also necessitates passing certain examinations. The National Counselor Examination (NCE) is mandatory for those seeking licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). This 200-question multiple-choice test is a crucial part of the licensing examination requirements in Kansas.

For those aiming to become Licensed Clinical Professional Counselors (LCPC), the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE) is a requirement. Passing this exam validates your ability to:

diagnose and treat mental disorders
assess client needs and develop treatment plans
provide counseling services to individuals, groups, and families
evaluate the effectiveness of counseling interventions
adhere to ethical and legal standards in counseling practice

These skills are essential for achieving LCPC licensure.

Specialized Training and Certifications

Beyond the basic requirements, there are avenues for licensed professional counselors in Kansas to enhance their expertise through specialized training and certifications. One such certification is the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor Examination (CRCE), which is acknowledged by some states and can be beneficial for career counselors seeking licensure.

Another certification that can boost your credentials is the Certified Career Counselor (CCC) credential. This certification is designed for individuals with an advanced degree in counselor education or a closely related field, and it focuses on the integration of counseling and career development. Certified counselors with this credential demonstrate their expertise in the field.

Focus on Career Development

Focusing on career development is vital for career counselors. Practical experience gained through continuing education and clinical practice can provide valuable insights into the field. For instance, Career Advantage, started in 2003 in Lawrence, Kansas, offers career development and job search services, and later developed a specialized service for the golf course management industry.

The owner of Career Advantage, Erin Wolfram, has a Master of Science degree in counseling psychology and has experience in career coaching, teaching career development, and supervising career course instructors. This example demonstrates how focusing on career development can help counselors provide customized career services, including resume and cover letter development, interviewing preparation, networking, professional etiquette, and personal branding.

Certifications Beyond State Licensure

In addition to state licensure, there are national certifications that can enhance your qualifications. One such certification is the National Certified Counselor (NCC) credential. To obtain the NCC credential, you need to:

Verify an advanced degree
Document professional experience
Complete career counseling competencies
Pass a relevant competency assessment.

The NCC credential, issued by the national board, is recognized nationally and can help boost your career in counseling.

Exams such as the NCE, NCMHCE, CRCE, and ECCP are widely recognized across states for counselor licensure and can be part of the requirements for obtaining advanced certifications.

Choosing the Right Counseling Program

Selecting the appropriate counseling program is an important step in your journey to become a licensed professional counselor. In order to become a counselor in Kansas license holder, a candidate must complete a graduate degree in counseling that includes field experience, such as practicum or internships, and obtain a counseling license.

Programs like Ottawa University’s Master of Arts in Counseling program include core classes, concentration or elective courses, and field placement experience. However, the rise of online learning options like the accredited online Master of Science in Counseling offered by Fort Hays State University provides more flexibility and accessibility.

Accreditation Importance

Selecting an accredited program is crucial since it guarantees that the program adheres to universally recognized standards within the counseling profession. The Council on the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) is a recognized accrediting body.

Programs like those at Fort Hays State University are CACREP accredited and meet universal standards recognized within the counseling profession. This accreditation signifies a program’s adherence to established universal standards operative within the counseling field and is valued both by licensing boards and employers.

Field Placement Opportunities

Field placement opportunities in fields school counseling addiction are an integral part of counseling programs, providing hands-on experience essential for licensure and professional growth. These opportunities allow students to apply what they’ve learned in the classroom to real-world scenarios under clinical supervision.

Programs like Ottawa University’s Master of Arts in Counseling include a field placement component with 900 client contact hours. During this placement, students work in settings such as community behavioral health agencies or other mental health organizations, aligning their academic learning with practical counseling practice.

Career Outlook for Kansas Counselors

The future prospects for counselors in Kansas look bright, especially in the realm of substance abuse and behavioral disorder counseling. As a licensed professional counselor in Kansas, you can expect:

An average salary of $52,600
Substance abuse, mental health, and behavioral disorder counselors earning an average of $25.23 per hour
The highest-earning 10% in these fields can make upwards of $72,180 annually.

The location quotient for counseling in Kansas ranges from .4 to .8, indicating the level of demand and market saturation for counselors across the state. This suggests a healthy demand for counselors in Kansas, making this a desirable career choice.

Advancing Your Career as a Licensed Professional Counselor

After becoming a licensed professional counselor, there are numerous avenues available to further your career. Staying informed about the latest industry practices is crucial for those who want to become a counselor and excel in their profession.

Networking is another key component of professional development for counselors. It allows you to:

Build connections
Learn from peers in the field
Access resources such as advanced training, seminars, and continuing education tailored to career counselors

This can enhance your professional growth.

Continuing Education

To maintain your licensure as a professional counselor in Kansas, continuing education is mandatory. Licensed Professional Counselors need to complete 30 hours of continuing education every two years, including 3 hours of ethics and a minimum of 6 hours focused on the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders.

These continuing education hours can be fulfilled through a variety of formats such as webinars and conferences, which are accepted by the Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board. For those seeking to specialize in career development, at least 60 hours of continuing education in career development can be acquired, or a minimum of 600 hours of clinical experience in this specialization.

Professional Organizations

Membership in professional organizations such as the Kansas Counseling Association can offer invaluable advantages for counselors. These organizations provide continuing education opportunities, which are crucial for maintaining licensure and staying updated with the latest industry practices.

Additionally, networking is a major benefit of joining these organizations. Networking events such as webinars can facilitate connections within the field, providing opportunities for collaboration, knowledge sharing, and support.

Related Fields and Specializations

Although career counseling is a fulfilling profession, there are other related fields school counseling and specializations within counseling that may also pique your interest. For instance, school counseling is a relevant field, and programs like the Ed.S. degree at Kansas State University prepare school counselors for dual licensure in Kansas, including as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC).

Another growing area within counseling in Kansas is substance abuse and behavioral disorder counseling. According to labor statistics, this field is projected to experience an 18% growth from 2022 to 2032, with approximately 42,000 job openings expected each year over the next decade. This growth, largely due to workforce attrition such as career changes or retirements, presents a wealth of opportunities for counselors specializing in this area.

Steps to Enroll in a Career Counselor Training Program

There are several important steps involved in enrolling in a career counselor training program. Begin by researching your options and understanding the requirements of each program. Prospective counseling students at Ottawa University can utilize enrollment advisors to help plan their education path.

Financing your education is another crucial step. Aspiring LPCs and LCPCs in Kansas can access information on scholarships and loan repayment programs to support their education financial needs.