ABSTRACT
The increasing demand for professional counselors in the Malaysian public and private sectors has encouraged many Malaysian universities to offer various counselor training programs. Some of the universities offering either undergraduate, graduate or postgraduate programs are University of Malaya (UM), the National University of Malaysia (UKM), Islamic Science University of Malaysia (USIM), University Putra Malaysia (UPM) and Sultan Idris Education University (UPSI), just to name a few. The offering of any degree in counseling in Malaysia requires accreditation from Malaysian Board of Counselors and is regulated by the CounselorsAct 580 (1998). Therefore it is undeniable that the teaching and learning of all these programs are set at the highest standards. However, the full package to become a competent counselor must include knowledge, skills, personal characteristics and other competencies. Although unsaid, being emotionally intelligent is an added value for the counseling professionals. According to Goleman (1995) although cognitive ability opens doors for individuals to enter a particular setting, emotional intelligence will play a greater part in determining the individual’s success in that setting. Goleman (1996) believes that emotional competencies are twice as important in contributing to excellence compared to pure intellect and expertise.
