How to Become a Counselor in South Dakota
The job outlook for counselors in South Dakota is projected to grow by 31% between 2020 and 2030. A career path with exceptional growth potential awaits those interested in becoming a counselor in South Dakota.
The numbers tell a compelling story. South Dakota’s age-adjusted suicide rate stands at 23.3% compared to the national average of 14.1%. These statistics highlight the critical need for qualified mental health professionals. The state’s unique landscape, with nearly 43% of residents living in rural areas, creates distinct challenges and opportunities for aspiring mental health counselors in this region.
Professional counselors, numbering over 2,700, work throughout South Dakota earning an average annual salary of approximately $57,894. The path to joining this profession requires completing specific educational requirements. Candidates must accumulate 2,000 hours of supervised experience and pass the National Counselor Examination to become an LPC candidate.
In this piece, we’ll explore each step from student to licensed professional counselor in South Dakota. Our goal is to provide all the information you need to begin a rewarding career in this growing field.
Education Requirements in South Dakota
South Dakota has specific educational requirements for licensed counselors. The state’s Department of Social Services mandates a master’s degree in counseling from an accredited institution. Your degree must include at least 48 credit hours of coursework. Students from quarter-based programs need 72 quarter credit hours.
Licensed counselors must graduate from universities with accreditation from recognized bodies like the Higher Learning Commission or similar regional organizations. The counseling program should meet one of these requirements:
- CACREP (Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs) approval
- Graduate-level coursework that covers specific core content areas
The program must include these core content areas:
- Counseling theory and techniques
- Human growth and development
- Social and cultural foundations
- Group dynamics and processes
- Lifestyle and career development
- Individual appraisal methods
- Research and evaluation
- Professional ethics and legal considerations
Your program requires both practicum and internship components. The practicum needs at least 100 supervised hours, with 40 hours of direct client service. The internship must provide at least 600 hours of on-the-job experience under a licensed professional counselor or mental health therapist. This includes a minimum of 240 hours working directly with clients.
South Dakota lets you complete missing requirements if your graduate degree has fewer than 48 credit hours or lacks certain elements. You can complete up to 12 semester credits after graduation to meet these academic requirements.
School counseling certification in South Dakota offers two paths. You can complete a specialized preschool through grade 12 school counselor preparation program. The alternative path requires a master’s degree in counseling, passing the state test with 159 or higher, and working under a qualified mentor school counselor for one year.
These educational requirements lay the groundwork to become a counselor in South Dakota.
5 Top Counseling Programs in South Dakota
South Dakota’s accredited counseling programs help students become licensed professional counselors. These programs teach specialized counseling skills and meet the state licensing board’s educational requirements.
- South Dakota State University has a Master of Science in Counseling and Human Resource Development with four specializations: Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Marriage and Family Counseling, Rehabilitation Counseling, and School Counseling. Students need 60 credit hours to graduate. The Clinical Mental Health Counseling program’s graduates have achieved a 100% job placement rate when looking for work. The program boasts an 88% completion rate and 72% of students pass the Licensed Professional Counselor exam.
- University of South Dakota provides Master of Arts degrees in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling K-12. Students get complete coursework and hands-on training to earn their professional license. The university also offers advanced doctoral programs in Counseling & Psychology in Education.
- Northern State University has CACREP-accredited 60-credit Master of Science in Education degrees. Students can specialize in Clinical Mental Health Counseling or School Counseling. The program’s HyFlex learning system lets students attend 75% of classes through synchronous HyFlex and 25% through asynchronous options. NSU’s CACREP accreditation lasts until October 2025.
- Sinte Gleska University near Mission offers culture-focused counseling programs. Their Master of Arts in Human Service includes concentrations in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (55 credits) and School Counseling (49 credits). These programs help students meet state licensure requirements.
- Kairos University (formerly Sioux Falls Seminary) offers a 63-credit Master of Arts in Counseling and an MA in Marriage and Family Therapy. Students complete 10 credits of supervised work experience at the university’s counseling services.
CACREP accreditation is a great advantage for these programs. Students from CACREP-accredited programs typically score higher on national counselor exams. They can get state licensing more easily and might skip certain post-graduation supervised field work requirements.
Internship and Other Requirements
Getting your counselor’s license in South Dakota requires supervised training after completing your master’s degree. You’ll need to submit a Plan of Supervision application with a non-refundable $100 fee before counting any hours toward licensure.
The path to full licensure has two main training phases:
Academic Training Components: Your counseling program must include a practicum and internship. The practicum needs at least 100 supervised hours with 40 hours minimum in direct client service under faculty supervision. The internship requires at least 600 hours, including 240 hours of direct client service. A licensed professional counselor or mental health therapist must supervise this work.
Post-Graduate Requirements: You’ll need additional hands-on experience after graduation to become fully licensed. LPC candidates must complete:
- 1,000 hours minimum of direct client contact
- 100 hours minimum of supervision with a board-approved supervisor
- One hour of supervision for every 20 hours of direct client contact
Your supervision must include at least five hours of each activity:
- Case presentations and staffing
- Direct observation (in-person or recorded sessions)
- Co-counseling with your supervisor
- Review of your recordkeeping
There are some limits to consider. Only 400 of your direct client contact hours can come through electronic means. Group supervision can only account for 50 of your required supervision hours.
You can count up to 100 hours of personal counseling or therapy toward direct client contact requirements. This counseling must come from a professional counselor, certified social worker, psychologist, or psychiatrist—but not your approved supervisor.
The final step is applying for full licensure with a $225 fee. Your license needs renewal by November 30th in even-numbered years. This requires 40 hours of continuing education, with 4 hours focused on ethics training.
Examinations
Getting your counselor license in South Dakota requires you to pass specific national examinations. Each license type needs a different exam that you must complete at set points during your professional growth.
To become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), you need to pass the National Counselor Examination (NCE) before getting approval for your Plan of Supervision. This computer-based test has 200 multiple-choice questions that you must complete in four hours. The exam reviews your knowledge in eight core areas, such as human growth and development, social and cultural diversity, and counseling relationships.
The path to becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor-Mental Health (LPC-MH) requires passing the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination (NCMHCE). This exam differs from the NCE. It presents 11 case studies with 9-15 multiple-choice questions for each counseling phase. You get 4 hours and 15 minutes to complete this simulation-based test that checks your clinical problem-solving skills.
Future Licensed Marriage & Family Therapists (LMFT) must pass the Examination in Marital & Family Therapy (NMFTE) before they can submit their Plan of Supervision.
Here’s how to register for these exams:
- Contact the National Board for Certified Counselors directly
- Pay the $195 examination fee
- Submit official graduate transcripts with your application
You can take these exams in South Dakota at two locations: Sioux Falls and Rapid City. Testing outside the state is also possible. Once you receive eligibility confirmation (about a month after applying), schedule your exam through Applied Measurement Professionals.
The rules for retaking failed exams are clear. You must wait three months before trying again, and you get three attempts maximum. After three unsuccessful tries, reach out to the South Dakota Board to discuss your next steps.
Licensing Fees
Your counseling career’s financial planning in South Dakota needs careful consideration. The state’s licensing board, several years old, follows a well-laid-out fee schedule that covers the counseling licensure process at different stages.
You’ll need to start with a non-refundable $100 fee for your Plan of Supervision application. The full licensure requires $225 when you complete all requirements. The good news is that you can get this license fee refunded if your application doesn’t receive approval.
Licensed counselors from other states can transfer their credentials through endorsement by paying $100 plus the standard $225 license fee. The temporary endorsement pathway costs $100 for application, and you’ll need an extra $50 for the temporary license.
Your counselor credentials need regular financial upkeep. The license renewal happens by November 30th in even-numbered years and costs $225. Each renewal cycle requires 40 continuing education hours that must include at least 4 hours of ethics training.
The board offers an inactive license status at a reduced rate of $25. This helps you keep your credentials while taking a break from practice.
School counselor certification works differently. The Department of Education charges $60 for both original and renewal applications.
Different specialized counseling credentials come with their own renewal costs. The Board of Addiction and Prevention Professionals (BAPP) sets annual fees at $100 for Addiction Counselor Trainees. Certified Addiction Counselors pay $350 every two years, while Licensed Addiction Counselors need $400 biennially.
Note that examination fees add to these licensing costs. You pay these directly to the national examination company that administers your required tests. This becomes another part of your financial roadmap toward becoming a South Dakota counselor.
Counseling Salaries in South Dakota
Your counseling career path in South Dakota needs a clear understanding of compensation. A realistic view of salaries will help you chart your journey from student to licensed counselor.
Professional counselors in South Dakota earn about $50,960 per year on average. This number changes based on your specialty, location in the state, experience, and credentials.
The salary range for mental health counselors runs from $45,120 to $65,000 yearly. Counselors with LPC-MH certification often earn more. School counselors’ salaries range from $48,000 to $62,000 per year. These figures shift between rural and urban school districts.
Your practice location can really decide your earning potential. Counselors in cities like Sioux Falls and Rapid City earn 10-15% more than their rural counterparts. This means your choice of location could boost your income.
Your experience level ties directly to your pay. New counselors with less than two years of experience start at the lower end of the pay scale. Those with 5-10 years under their belt can earn 20-30% more. Seasoned counselors with over 15 years of experience or special certifications might earn $75,000 or more yearly.
South Dakota desperately needs mental health professionals, especially in rural areas. The state offers incentives like loan forgiveness programs. Qualified professionals can receive up to $10,000 yearly by working in shortage areas.
The future looks bright for counselor salaries statewide. A projected 31% growth in counseling positions by 2030 should keep pay competitive. This is especially true for counselors who work in high-need communities or focus on South Dakota’s specific mental health challenges.
Counseling Organizations in South Dakota
Professional organizations play a vital role in advancing your counseling career. These groups give you great resources, networking chances, and continuing education to help you grow as a counselor in South Dakota.
The South Dakota Counseling Association (SDCA) leads the way as the state’s main counseling organization. SDCA works as a state branch of the American Counseling Association and helps South Dakota counselors with advocacy, education, and professional growth. Their yearly conference lets you network and earn continuing education credits needed for your license.
Mental health specialists will find value in the South Dakota Mental Health Counselors Association (SDMHCA). This group works to advance mental health counseling through advocacy and development programs. LPC candidates can get specialized training and find mentors here.
The South Dakota School Counselor Association (SDSCA) caters to school counseling professionals’ needs. They provide targeted workshops, curriculum materials, and support specific to school settings.
The South Dakota Association for Addiction and Prevention Professionals (SDAAPP) helps substance abuse counselors grow. They offer specialized certification programs, ongoing education, and professional support.
Licensed counselors should think about joining these national organizations with South Dakota chapters:
- American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA)
- National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC)
- American School Counselor Association (ASCA)
Students and new professionals can join most organizations at lower rates. Annual fees range from $50-$150 based on the organization and your career stage.
The South Dakota Department of Social Services keeps counselor supervision lists. These lists help LPC candidates find qualified supervisors who guide them through licensing.
These professional connections are a great way to get support as you work toward becoming a licensed mental health counselor in South Dakota. They guide you from graduate school to becoming an experienced professional.
Counseling Scholarships in South Dakota
Money for your counseling education can make your graduate school experience more available in South Dakota. The right scholarships will help you manage education costs and reduce your student loan burden.
Students can find program-specific scholarships at several South Dakota universities. South Dakota State University awards the Counseling and Human Development Scholarship to graduate students who show academic excellence and promise in the field. For a list of special scholarships for South Dakota students, you can look to the government site.
You should look into these additional funding options:
- NBCC Foundation Scholarships – Offers up to $8,000 for master’s students committed to serving underrepresented populations
- American Counseling Association Foundation – Provides various scholarships ranging from $1,000-$5,000 for counseling students
- Chi Sigma Iota – The international counseling honor society offers numerous awards for members pursuing degrees in counseling
South Dakota’s rural areas need counselors too. The Rural Recruitment Program helps pay off student loans when counselors work in shortage areas after graduation. You could receive up to $20,000 in loan repayment benefits if you commit to three years of service.
Most scholarships need personal statements, recommendation letters, and proof that you’re enrolled in an accredited program. The deadlines usually fall between January and March for the next academic year. Start your research six months early.
Many scholarship programs give extra consideration to first-generation college students, minorities, and those who need financial help. Make sure you highlight these qualities in your applications.
Start Your Career as a Counselor Today
A career as a counselor in South Dakota offers a rewarding path with great growth potential. You’ve learned the specific requirements to become a professional counselor in this piece. The field looks particularly attractive with a projected 31% job growth by 2030, especially given how badly rural communities need mental health services across the state.
Your trip from student to licensed professional takes dedication and careful planning. You must complete a master’s degree with at least 48 credit hours from an accredited institution. The next step involves accumulating 2,000 hours of supervised experience to prepare for required examinations. Proper licensure through continuing education will give you long-term success in the field.
The costs range from education expenses to licensing fees. Many scholarships and loan forgiveness programs can help ease this financial burden. The South Dakota Counseling Association membership is a great way to get support as you develop your career.
Professional counselors who are ready to tackle the state’s unique mental health challenges will find plenty of opportunities in South Dakota. The financial outlook stays promising with experience and specialization pushing these earnings even higher.
The path to becoming a licensed counselor might look complex at first glance. But the resources outlined here will guide you through each step. Your choice to pursue counseling in South Dakota promises both personal career fulfillment and helps meet a vital need in communities across the state.