Wednesday, January 15, 2003 |
Counselors earn designationsCounselors Janice McLeory of Rising Starr Middle, Tere Goodwin of Sandy Creek High and Amor Kok, exceptional children, have successfully passed a national licensure exam which certifies them as an Associate Licensed Professional Counselor (ALPC). Having passed the exam, the counselors can now apply for the designation of National Certified School Counselor through the National Board for Certified Counselors, Inc., the largest national counselor credentialing organization in the United States. In addition to receiving a passing score on the exam, national certification requirements include a graduate degree in counseling from a regionally accredited institution and supervised post-master's counseling experience. Additional requirements include specific coursework in the fundamentals of school counseling, academic field experience and two years post-master's experience as a school counselor. Passing the examination for licensure and national board certification is no easy task. It is a comprehensive and difficult test that deals with theory as well as practical issues in the counseling profession. The importance of holding licensure and national certification is twofold, according to Kok. The process alone to earn the designations requires counselors to sharpen and refine their skills making them more proficient at their jobs. It also compels them to keep abreast of new research and intervention practices since their credentials are reevaluated every three years. "As we become more accountable as educators, it is important for us to keep up with the demands of our environment," said Kok. "As school counselors, we are exposed to a lot more clinical issues in the school setting even though our jobs are strictly school counseling and guidance and not to act as therapists. Licensure and national certification enhances our knowledge and enables us to be better partners in the community." Although licensure and certification are not required for school counselors, Goodwin adds that it reinforces the commitment and knowledge that counselors have of their profession. "For the school and community, it means substantiated qualification over and above minimum standards for school counselors," Goodwin said. "It is proof positive that counselors with these credentials are knowledgeable and securely qualified to do their jobs."
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