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What is a Child Counselor?
If you care deeply about helping young people and want to become a child counselor in Mississippi, you're on a complex but important path. The first step to a fulfilling career is getting a child counseling degree in Mississippi, many of which are available from online and on-campus programs. You'll learn a lot in Mississippi counseling programs designed for understanding child mental health. To truly make a difference in children's lives, especially those facing tough times, getting your Mississippi child therapy certification is a necessity. You might earn just a counseling degree, complete a degree focused on child counseling, or even earn a credential as a registered play therapist (RPT).
Essential Child Psychology and Development Studies
Choosing a career in child counseling means diving deep into specific study areas. These areas include child psychology and development. If you're thinking about getting a degree in child psychology, it's vital to know the basics. These basics will help you become skilled in helping young clients. Requirements include psychology theories, child development courses, child behavior, and more.
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Understanding human growth and development is central to child counseling. This knowledge is emphasized in specific courses. Knowing about developmental milestones helps you recognize when children are growing normally or facing challenges.
Your studies will also cover the social and cultural factors that affect child psychology. These courses show how a child's surroundings influence their growth, behavior, and how they handle difficulties in life.
Learning about child behavior and play therapy can also help those aiming to complete child psychology degrees. Play therapy can allow children to express and work through emotions in a way that's natural and led by them.
Online Educational Pathways to a Child Counseling Degree in Mississippi
The path to becoming a child therapist in Mississippi begins with a strong education. As you complete the required education, your degrees will help you move you closer to being a child counseling pro.
Online Associate Degree in Counseling or Psychology (AS)
An associate degree in psychology, counseling, or even social work can open doors into the counseling world. In Mississippi, this degree can help you learn mental health basics and introduce important subjects for your future studies. These degrees usually take two years to complete and many lead into bachelor’s degrees.
Online Bachelor’s Degree in Child Counseling (BS)
With a bachelor's degree, your focus on counseling and psychology will become sharper. You might even be able to take some courses that focus specifically on children’s behavior, development, and psychology. This degree really starts to ready you for the complex job of helping children with their mental health. However, it’s important to note that you will not be able to work as a counselor without a master’s. It takes four years to complete a full-time bachelor's degree unless you find an accelerated program.
National Rankings - Top 25 online bachelors in counselingOnline Master’s Degree in Child Counseling (MS)
More advanced training comes with a master’s degree, a required degree for those who want to go into a counseling career. This is also the perfect time to specialize and focus in on child counseling. You can choose from a variety of Mississippi's top master's programs. These programs usually take around two years to complete, though times can vary between programs. Specializations can include child counseling, counseling education, child behavior therapists, marriage and family therapists, mental health counselors, a school counseling program, and related educational programs that will allow graduates to become licensed professional counselors.
National Rankings - Top 25 online masters in counselingOnline PhD in Child Counseling (PhD)
Getting a PhD in child counseling will mean that you’ve reached the top level of study. With this degree, you can do deep research and add new ideas to the therapy world. It's for those who want to lead and innovate in child therapy. It can take anywhere from three to seven years to complete these programs, depending on the time you devote to your studies and the program you choose.
Our Financial Aid GuideMississippi's Requirements for Child Counselor Licensure and Certification
If you want to be a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Mississippi, it's important to know about Mississippi counseling licensure requirements. We'll explain the key steps to get your license. This ensures your training in licensed child counselor training meets the Mississippi Board’s standards to work as a licensed professional counselor (LPC).
A key step is finishing a therapist master’s program focused on counseling, which must be from an accredited school. Not just for the best education, but also because it is required for licensure, you much be sure to choose a counselor education program that has CACREP accreditation, ensuring that it meets top standards in the industry.
After your schooling, you must gain practical experience. Mississippi counseling licensure requirements call for 3,000 hours of supervised experience, with 1,200 hours of direct counseling practice.
Next, passing the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination (NCMHCE) is crucial. After passing, you should keep learning to stay current in your field and maintain your license. You need 24 hours of continuing education every two years, showing your ongoing commitment to your profession.
Furthermore, getting specialty counseling certifications can improve your skills and widen your reach.
These certifications can also make you better at helping children and their families.
- Complete a CACREP-accredited therapist master’s program
- Gain 3,000 hours of supervised experience in the field
- Directly counsel for a minimum of 1,200 hours
- Pass the NCMHCE for LPC board Mississippi approval
- Engage in ongoing professional development and education
- Pursue specialty counseling certifications for additional expertise
Mastering Clinical Practicum and Internships in Mississippi
To succeed in child counseling in Mississippi, you need strong academic scores and practical experience. Key steps include doing a clinical practicum and internships to prep for a mental health counseling license. Mississippi requires many supervised clinical hours for a license. These hands-on experiences meet strict mental health counseling standards. It's not just a requirement but a deep dive to sharpen your therapy skills and mental health support.
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The Role of Onsite Residencies
Onsite residencies are crucial for grasping child counseling and various therapeutic techniques. They offer hands-on learning that classes can't match. At places like the University of Mississippi, experts guide you through interactive training, honing your clinical skills.
Mastering clinical mental health counseling through practicums, supervision, and residencies strengthens your counseling skills and prepares you to receive full licensure. This essential experience helps you fulfill your goal of improving children's mental health.
Potential Career Options and Salaries for Child Counseling Graduates
Completing a degree preparing for a career in child therapy gives you many skills. And it can lead to a variety of jobs in Mississippi where you can help kids. Degrees from Mississippi schools can prepare you for work in education, healthcare, and social services. Here are just a few of the options you might have access to during or after your academic career.
Special Education Teacher (Secondary School)
Job description: As a special education teacher, you help kids with unique learning needs. You need to know a lot about child mental health, which can come from a degree in child counseling. However, there are also other requirements you’ll have to consider if you plan to shift into education after your bachelor’s degree. Your job in this field would be key to making school supportive for these students.
Requirements:
- Bachelor's degree
- Teach academic, social, and life skills to secondary school students with learning, emotional, or physical disabilities
- Assess students’ skills and determine their educational needs
- Adapt general lessons to meet students’ needs
- Develop Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for each student
Median Salary: $74,670Â
Behavioral Disorder Counselor
Job description: As a behavioral disorder counselor, you’ll focus on kids with emotional and behavioral issues. Your work helps children and teens deal with life better, though you might also see adult clients with this title.
Requirements:
- Master's degree, Growth Potential 18% (Much faster than average)
- Evaluate clients’ mental and physical health, addiction, or problematic behavior and assess their readiness for treatment
- Develop, recommend, and review treatment goals and plans with clients and their families
- Assist clients in developing skills and behaviors necessary to recover from their addiction or modify their behavior
- Work with clients to identify behaviors or situations that interfere with their recovery
Median Salary: $60,080
Child, Family, and School Social Worker
Job description: In social work, you can work with children, families, and schools. Under this specific title, your job is to help families and children find access to and use social services. You also fight for the best education for needy kids.
Requirements:
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree
- Provide social services and assistance to improve the social and psychological functioning of children and their families and to maximize the family well-being and the academic functioning of children
- Help protect students, other children, and their families in vulnerable situations, and provide support and assistance to those who need it
- Work with students and parents, including to intervene in instances of substance abuse, physical or mental abuse, and other situations that put students at risk
- Offer support and education for school staff to help them improve their understanding of the cultural, societal, economical, or other factors that can impact students’ educational work and behavioral tendencies
Median Salary: $59,190
Psychiatrist
Job description: If you're drawn to child therapy and willing to get advanced training, you might want to consider psychiatry. This role is all about treating young people's mental health, but it includes the ability to prescribe medications when necessary. Psychiatrists work with other health and mental health professionals to give thorough care. This career needs a lot of dedication and understanding.
Requirements:
- Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO)
- Diagnose, treat, and help prevent mental disorders
- Review patient medical histories
- Prescribe suitable medications and establish treatment plans
- Monitor the progression of patients' health following treatmentÂ
Median Salary: $256,930
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the steps to become a child counselor in Mississippi?
To become a child counselor in Mississippi, you’ll start with a bachelor’s degree and then earn a master's in counseling, psychology, social work, etc. Next, you must complete supervised clinical hours and pass a national licensing exam. Finally, apply for licensure through the LPC Board of Mississippi. And don't forget ongoing education for biennial license renewal.
Are there specific child psychology and development studies required for child counseling in Mississippi?
Yes, those aiming to specialize in child counseling need specific courses. They must study human growth, social foundations, and child behavior techniques.
How do clinical practicum and internships factor into becoming a licensed child counselor?
Clinical practicums and internships are key for real-world experience. They help meet the supervised clinical hours needed for licensure. Activities may include leading play therapy sessions, engaging in onsite residencies, and more.
Can I complete my child counseling degree online in Mississippi?
Yes, Mississippi offers online degrees in child counseling and similar fields. While practicums and internships need in-person attendance, much of the coursework is available online.
Is CACREP accreditation important for counseling programs in Mississippi?
CACREP accreditation signifies a quality counseling education. While not mandatory in all states, Mississippi requires that graduates come from CACREP-accredited programs. These programs meet rigorous training standards for counselors.