Criminal Justice Career Profile: Youth Care Counselor

Lindsey — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 22:08:32 +0000

Youth care counselors typically work in schools, from elementary to college. Their role is to help students understand and learn to deal with social, behavioral, family and personal problems. A youth care counselor is tasked with providing children with the tools they need to deal with existing or potential problems. This might entail providing special services such as alcohol and drug prevention programs and conflict resolution classes; as well as grief support and suicide counseling. It is also the youth counselor’s duty to identify cases of domestic abuse and other family problems that can affect a student’s development. Choosing a criminal justice career in youth counseling means you will be called upon to work with children and teenagers and their families, but also with school staff, social workers, groups and individuals.

Why Earn a Criminal Justice Degree from Westwood College[1]?

A degree is required to work as a youth care counselor, and requirements for licensure vary by state. Enrolling in a criminal justice degree program, like that offered at Westwood College is a must if you wish to be successful in your criminal justice career and seek advancement. Our School of Justice program will prepare you for these next steps in your career. A criminal justice degree will support you on the path for a rewarding career where you will act as a positive role model to make a difference in people’s lives. We will teach you about human growth and development, social and cultural diversity, relationships and professional development, so you can handle every situation with confidence and experience.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for counselors is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through 2016[2]. The BLS also estimates that demand for youth counselors in elementary schools is expected to increase due to more states requiring counselors at that level. Expansion of the responsibilities of school counselors, such as becoming more involved in crisis and preventive counseling should also lead to increases in their employment. Job prospects for school counselors should be good as more people retire, and opportunities are most abundant in rural and urban areas.

Earnings and Benefits

Depending on the employer and specific concentration, youth care counselors can expect to earn between $35,000 and $60,000 a year[3]. With the proper education, which can be obtained by getting a criminal justice degree, a youth care counselor who is determined, talented and ambitious can expect to see those earnings grow considerably following promotions or change of concentration. Successful youth care counselors can earn in excess of $75,000 a year[4]. Job prospects vary greatly based on the occupational specialty.

[1] State and local restrictions may apply. Additional training may be required.

[2] Job growth varies by location and occupational specialty, for more information visit the Job Outlook section at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos067.htm

[3] Sourced from bls.gov figures from May 2006. Median annual earnings of wage and salary educational, vocational and school counselors were $47,530. The middle 50% fit the range shown.

[4] The highest 10% of educational, vocational and school counselors in May 2006 earned more than $75,920.

Westwood College Online - Westwood College - School of Criminal Justice » Uncategorized

Criminal Justice Career Profile: Youth Care Counselor