University adds online masters degree in career counseling

University adds online masters degree in career counseling

Capella University, an accredited online education provider, has recently announced the launch of an online masters degree in career counseling. The program will be part of the university's new Harold Abel School of Social and Behavioral Sciences.

Designed around counseling education standards, the degree offering will help students develop the knowledge, skills and best practices needed to help clients develop career plans.

"Our MS in Career Counseling program includes online course work, residencies and clinical experiences, allowing students to gain both practical and theoretical knowledge of the field," said Jody Neuman-Aamlie, interim dean of the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences.

"It also provides our students the opportunity to learn how to conduct career counseling in both face-to-face and online settings," she added.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that overall employment of counselors is expected to increase by 18 percent over the next decade, which is faster than the average for all occupations.

According to the 2009 Sloan Survey, approximately 4.6 million students were enrolled in at least one online course in the fall of 2008.

By Mark Danson