Additional Information
Graduate-level counseling education programs in colleges and universities
usually are in departments of education or psychology. In an accredited program,
48 to 60 semester hours of graduate study, including a period of supervised
clinical experience in counseling, are required for a master's degree.
Many university and college counseling programs include bereavement counseling
as one component of the curricula. Schools offering courses in thanatology
-- the study of death -- are also good.
Counselor Alan Taplow says a variety of skill development workshops are
available to people who want to improve their skills in this area of counseling.
Bereavement counselors do not require any particular credentials or licensing.
However, counselors in general may be subject to licensing or credential requirements.
These requirements differ according to location or discipline, and may be
voluntary or mandatory.
In the U.S., many counselors elect to be certified by the National Board
for Certified Counselors (NBCC).
The Association for Death Education and Counseling (ADEC) is an international,
multidisciplinary organization providing training and voluntary certification
to people working in the field of bereavement counseling.