Certification
National Certification
National Youth Counselor
National Youth Counselor Policy is being carried out based on the "Basic Youth Plan" for the specialization of youth counseling and improvement of youth counseling quality. A youth counselor is someone who has credentials and other qualifications in the area of youth counseling and is certified by the National Youth Committee as having 100 hours of training. Youth counselor has 3 grade levels and the Korea Youth Counseling Institute is commissioned to operate the examinations and training. In a variety of youth centers, youth counselors are performing phone counseling, personal counseling, group therapy, family therapy, parent counseling, psychological examinations of youths, parents, teachers and youth leaders on subjects such as careers, personality, education, sex education, school problems, relationships, youth crimes, drugs, violence, running away, and so on. For more information go to website: www.kyci.or.kr
School Counselor
In 2004, the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development recognized school violence as a problem and determined that a full-time specialist in guidance and counseling was needed in the schools. At that time, the newly revised 2004 Elementary and Secondary School Education Act (ESSEA), which included school counseling sections, had a major impact on the school counseling profession in South Korea. ESSEA provided federal funds to local school boards to develop school counseling services and to universities to train school counselors. School counseling has 2 grade levels and the Ministry of Education is commissioned to operate the examinations and training. School counselors advocate for students and work with other individuals and organizations to promote the academic, career, personal, and social development of children and youth. School counselors use interviews, counseling sessions, interest and aptitude assessment tests, and other methods to evaluate and advise students. They also operate career information centers and career education programs. For more information go to website: http://www.mest.go.kr/
Vocational Counselor
To become certified, vocational counselors usually must pass a written national examination. Vocational counseling has 2 grade levels and the Human Resources Development Service of Korea is commissioned to operate the examinations and training. Vocational counselors help people deal with the career and vocational problems. They evaluate the strengths and limitations of individuals, provide personal and vocational counseling, and arrange for vocational training and job placement. Vocational counselors also work toward increasing the client’s capacity to live independently. For more information go to website: www.q-net.or.kr
Certification by Counseling and Psychology Associations
Korean Counseling Psychology Association (KCPA)
The Board of the Korean Counseling Psychology Association recognizes professional achievement by awarding counseling psychologist certifications (2 grade levels: professional counseling psychologist & associate counseling psychologist). For more information go to website: http://www.krcpa.or.kr/
Korean Counseling Association (KCA)
The Board of the Korean Counseling Association recognizes professional achievement by awarding counselor certifications (3 grade levels: counseling supervisor, professional counselor, & associate counselor). For more information go to website: http://www.krcpa.or.kr/
Other Certification
Other counseling organizations also offer certification in particular counseling specialties. Usually, becoming certified is voluntary, but having solid and well regarded certification may enhance job prospects.