Thanks to all of you who have taken the time to contribute your knowledge and opinions on this matter! As far as I am gathering at this point, I need a:

1. Masters in Psych with a specialization in School Counseling OR an M.Ed in School Counseling

AND

2. Possibly, a Teaching Certificate to make me more "hireable" abroad.

My sister told me the counselor at the international school where she works in Japan has only a 9-12 month licensure aside from his BA. I have not received an email back from him yet for clarification on this, but does anyone know what this could be? Might he just be referring to certain M.Ed in School Counseling programs that are accelerated?

Also, I am curious as to where you all are writing from? I am most interested in living and working in Europe (I worked on a project there in the past and have spent a considerable amount of time traveling across the continent.) For whatever reason, however, I have gotten the impression from the few people I've spoken to that it is more difficult to find employment as an international school teacher or counselor there. Does anyone have any opinion or experience on this? (I am also very interested in working in Central and South America if anyone has comments on those regions).

Finally, I am also wondering if any of you international school counselors have considered practicing clinically as a therapist (or if any of you knows someone in this situation...). A potential longer-term goal of mine could be to practice as a clinical psychologist. How should this end-goal affect the educational path I take now? In other words, can I prepare myself to be a school counselor without pigeon-holing myself into that field, should I want to gain more education and become a therapist years down the road?

Thank you for your opinions!

EUExplorer wrote:
> I don't fully agree with Shadowjack on this one. You do not need a teaching
> certificate to be an international school counselor/ college counselor / or
> even a school psychologist and the vast majority with whom I have worked
> don't have a teaching certificate. And I don't believe it even makes you
> more competitive in terms of getting a job.

EUExplorer, firstly I sincerely thank you for taking the time to share your opinion -- I value it very much!

I'd like to know what countries or area of the world you find this to be the case (where a teaching cert is not necessary). My sister got a job last year at an international school in Japan and said she really found it to be an indispensable asset in the job search. Of course, this could be the particular school where she was hired, perhaps a Japanese thing -- I don't know. Where has it been your experience that the teaching cert is not crucial?

Thanks for your clear breakdown of career and educational paths (I would fall into the Category A that you describe). Also thank you for posting the handbook -- I will be going through that more carefully shortly!

Hello All,

I currently hold a Bachelors Degree in Sociology but have long had an interest in continuing my education in psychology. The lifestyle and benefits of working in an international school have also long appealed to me (my sister and two of my best friends work in international schools). While I don't see myself working as a teacher necessarily, I think the role of international school guidance counselor/psychologist would be a great fit and put me on track for my longer-term goals.

Could anyone advise me as to the best educational path to qualify me for this role? I know that having a teaching certification is important in making me "hireable" to international schools. But what about in terms of certifications in psychology/counseling itself?

Your advice would be much valued and appreciated!

Best Regards,

Emily