Comparing emotinal intelligence levels of guidance practitionars in terms of their university degree

The purpose of this study was to examine whether there is a significant difference between the emotional intelligence levels of guidance practitioners who have a degree in psychological counseling and guidance and those who have a degree in a major other than psychological counseling and guidance. The study sample composed of 162 guidance practitioners who were working in state schools in Antalya in 2011-2012 academic year, 54.9% of participants were female and 45.1% of participants were male. The data for the study was collected by using Bar-On Emotional Quotient Inventory which was developed by Bar-On (1997) and adapted to Turkish by Mumcuoğlu (2002). According to the t-test results, there were significant differences in emotional intelligence levels between psychological counseling and guidance graduates and other program graduates. Psychological counseling and guidance graduates scored higher in all subscales of emotional intelligence (emotional self-awareness, assertiveness, self-regard, self-actualization, independence, empathy, social responsibility, interpersonal relationships, reality testing, flexibility, problem solving, stress tolerance, impulse control, optimism, and happiness) than other program graduates. These findings point out the importance of appointment criteria in appointing guidance practitioner to guidance and counseling services in the schools.