minimum of one year experience working in a field other than teaching or counselingCompletion of a course in Education and/or Psychology of the exceptional child worth two or more semester hoursCompletion of a master’s degree with a major in guidance and counseling from a college or university meeting approval of the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary EducationRecommendation for certification from the designated official of that college or university.Renewal of CertificationCertificates may be renewed each five years for persons meeting the following criteria:Two years experience in counseling at the secondary level during the previous five yearsCompletion of a Missouri Department of Education approved Professional Development Program that must include at least six semester hours of graduate credit appropriate for the counselor and attendance at a minimum of three professional workshops totaling fifteen clock hours.Because the role of the guidance counselor can be integral to high school students preparation for college, work, and life choices, it is important that the guidance counselor remain abreast of the latest skills and technology in the field. In order to do this, the guidance counselor must commit to lifetime education by attending classes, seminars, and workshops geared toward enhancing existing knowledge. SKILLS AND ABILITIESGuidance Counselors must understand that their job is as diverse as the student body of the school in which they are employed. Skills and abilities are not always concrete, tangible things. Often times it has to do with attitude (the counselor’s) and perception (people who deal with that counselor). Gloria King, Personnel Manager for the St. Louis Public Schools Board of Education, states that guidance counselors must be striking and command attention in interviews. She feels that a resume is a tool that anyone can use to their advantage because “there are ways to mak...
