4143 Educational Counsellors
Educational counsellors advise current and prospective students on educational issues, career planning and personal development, and co-ordinate the provision of counselling services to students, parents, teachers, faculty and staff.
academic counsellor
educational counsellor
guidance counsellor
school counsellor
student counsellor
SId
108
VCHBLS
202101
L1
7+,
8+,
R
Main Characteristics
Occupations in this group are characterized by the following aptitudes, interests and worker functions as they relate to main duties:
- General learning ability to counsel students regarding issues such as course and program selection, time tables and scheduling, school adjustment, attendance problems, study skills and career planning
- Verbal ability to consult with teachers and parents or faculty and other professionals such as psychologists, speech therapists and social workers regarding students, and with administrators and community agencies regarding programs and referrals
- Social interest in mentoring in order to counsel students on personal and social issues such as substance abuse, depression, sexuality, eating disorders, anxiety, self-esteem, family problems, relationship and interpersonal skills, and anger management; and in crisis situations such as dealing with the death of a friend or family member, suicidal tendencies and abuse situations
- Innovative interest in co-ordinating information to provide counselling and information services to students, parents, teachers, faculty and staff on matters related to student orientation, career or vocational issues, professional development, co-op and school-to-work transition programs, and interaction with other educational institutions
- Directive interest in administering and interpreting standardized intelligence, personality, vocational, aptitude and interest tests, and in supervising peer counselling programs in school settings; may supervise field experience for graduate students in counselling; may teach regular classes
Vision
2Near vision
Colour Discrimination
0Not relevant
Hearing
2Verbal interaction
Body Position
1Sitting
Limb Co-ordination
0Not relevant
Strength
1Limited
Location
L1Regulated inside climate
Education/Training
7+,
8+,
R
- A bachelor's degree in social sciences or education is required for counsellors in school settings.
- A master's degree in counselling or a related field such as educational psychology, developmental psychology or social work is usually required.
- Academic counsellors in post-secondary settings require an undergraduate degree and may require a graduate degree. A particular academic specialization may also be required.
- A teacher's certificate from the province of employment and some teaching experience is usually required for counsellors in school settings.
- In Quebec, membership in the professional association is mandatory for counsellors in school settings.
- Educational counsellors in colleges and universities may require licensing with a provincial regulatory body governing psychologists, guidance counsellors, or social workers.
Colleges
Correctional facilities
Elementary schools
Government agencies
School boards
Secondary schools
Technical institutes
Universities
Family, Marriage and Other Related Counsellors (4153)
School psychologists (in 4151 Psychologists)
Secondary School Teachers (4141)
Social Workers (4152)
Elementary school counsellors generally provide more social and personal counselling than the vocational and academic counselling provided by high school counsellors.
Educational counsellors in colleges, universities and other settings may specialize in academic counselling, personal or social issues/problems counselling or career/vocational counselling.