How to Become a School Counselor: A Step-by-Step Guide (With Expert Tips)
Did you know that school counseling is projected to grow 11% between 2020 and 2030? This growth rate surpasses the average for all professions.
A career as a school counselor offers promising prospects. School and career counselors earn a median annual wage of $65,140. The next decade will bring about 29,100 job openings each year. California stands out with 41,380 school counselor positions and the highest mean salary at $85,820.
School counselors help improve student attendance, reduce racial disparities in college applications, and increase access to mental health resources. This rewarding field needs specific qualifications. You must have a master’s degree in school counseling and meet your state’s certification requirements.
Your daily work will involve helping students with personal, social, academic, and career-related challenges. You’ll help them tap into their full potential. This piece will guide you through everything you need to become a school counselor – from choosing the right education path to starting your career in this rewarding profession.
Understand the Role of a School Counselor
You should get a full picture of what school counselors do before jumping into this career. These professionals are certified/licensed educators who help students build academic and social skills while looking after their overall wellbeing. Let’s look at what makes this profession tick.
What do school counselors do?
School counselors play a crucial role in supporting students’ academic success, personal growth, and emotional health. They offer personalized guidance to help students direct their educational experience and tackle personal challenges.
A school counselor’s typical day involves:
- Listening to students who share academic, emotional, or social concerns
- Helping students solve problems and create action plans
- Helping resolve conflicts between students and teachers
- Building better relationships between parents and teachers
- Helping with college applications, jobs, and scholarships
- Setting up drug and alcohol prevention programs
- Connecting students with mental health resources when needed
School counselors also create detailed programs that boost student outcomes. They dedicate about 80% of their time to direct student services, which has classroom guidance, individual planning, and counseling. They also evaluate their programs to show how students benefit from counseling services.
Where do school counselors work?
School counselors mostly work in public and private educational settings. You’ll find them in:
- Public K-12 schools
- Private and parochial schools
- Colleges and universities
- Vocational and technical schools
The workload varies substantially between schools. The American School Counselor Association suggests a counselor-to-student ratio of 1:250, but the national average sits at 1:482. Some counselors work with 300 students, while others handle 500 or more.
Their schedules line up with regular school hours (7 a.m. to 4 p.m.), though they sometimes stay late to meet parents or finish tasks. Most school counselors follow the academic calendar and work nine months with summers off.
School counselor salary and job outlook
School counselors earn salaries that match their important role. The median annual wage reached $65,140 as of May 2024. Pay varies with experience, location, and education. The lowest 10% earn under $37,550 while the highest 10% make over $98,190.
The job market looks bright for school counselors. The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects a 4% growth in jobs from 2023 to 2033, matching the average across all occupations. This growth will open up about 29,100 positions yearly over the decade.
Schools just need more counselors as they respond to students’ developmental, academic, and career planning needs. Rising student enrollment means schools will hire more counselors to handle these essential areas.
This overview of a school counselor’s role gives you the basics to think over this career path. It sets the stage to learn about education and certification requirements in the next sections.
Step 1: Earn a Bachelor’s Degree
Your path to becoming a school counselor starts with a bachelor’s degree. This first step usually takes four years of full-time study and prepares you for graduate education.
Recommended majors for school counseling
Graduate schools don’t require a specific undergraduate major for future school counselors. However, some fields will better prepare you for graduate studies and your career:
- Psychology: This major teaches you about human behavior, cognitive development, and mental health principles—knowledge you’ll use every day as a school counselor.
- Education: You’ll learn about school systems, teaching methods, and child development theories that connect directly to counseling in academic settings.
- Social Work: The field builds your case management skills and knowledge of community resources, which helps you tackle students’ social and family challenges.
- Sociology: Learning about social structures and group dynamics helps you understand how social factors shape student development and academic success.
- Human Development: This major teaches you how people grow and change throughout life, with emphasis on childhood and adolescence.
A strong GPA matters during your undergraduate years. Most school counseling graduate programs need a minimum GPA between 2.5 and 3.0. Top programs often want even higher grades. Research program requirements early since many need specific courses in psychology, statistics, or human development.
Gaining early experience with students
Real-world experience with young people makes your graduate school applications stronger and prepares you better for counseling work. Here are some great ways to get started:
Volunteer positions give you flexible options to gain experience during your bachelor’s degree. Youth mentoring programs, after-school activities, and community centers need volunteers. These roles show your dedication to helping young people and teach you about their challenges firsthand.
Part-time jobs in schools can boost your experience. Working as a substitute teaching assistant, camp counselor, or tutor helps you develop skills with different student groups. These jobs also teach you how schools work—knowledge that becomes valuable in your counseling career.
Internships or fieldwork experiences through your college provide structured learning in educational or counseling settings. Though usually unpaid, you can earn academic credit and build professional networks.
Research opportunities with professors who study child development, educational psychology, or related topics sharpen your analytical skills. You’ll learn about evidence-based practices that school counselors use more often now.
Graduate programs and employers value candidates who blend academic knowledge with hands-on experience. These early experiences also help you confirm your career choice before you invest in graduate school.
Once you complete your bachelor’s degree, you’ll be ready to take the next big step: earning your master’s degree in school counseling or a related field.
Step 2: Complete a Master’s in School Counseling
A master’s degree is the key qualification you’ll need to become a school counselor in all 50 states. After finishing your bachelor’s, this vital next step will give you the specialized knowledge and clinical skills for professional practice.
Choosing an accredited program
The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) accreditation is the gold standard for counseling programs. CACREP-accredited programs line up with state licensure requirements and can make your certification process smoother. Here’s what to think about:
- Program reputation and outcomes: Check job placement rates and licensing exam pass rates
- Faculty expertise: Find professors who have school counseling experience
- Program structure: Most master’s programs take 2-3 years with 48-60 credit hours
“A CACREP-accredited program gives you a big advantage,” says Dr. Susan Thompson, school counseling program director. “These programs meet high standards that employers value.”
Core coursework and practicum requirements
Master’s programs in school counseling combine theory with hands-on practice. Your studies will have:
- Counseling theories and techniques
- Human growth and development
- Career development
- Group counseling
- Assessment in counseling
- Multicultural counseling
- Ethics in counseling
- Research methods
The hands-on component plays a key role. Every program requires:
- Practicum: Your first supervised experience (100 hours) to learn simple counseling practices
- Internship: Deep hands-on experience (600+ hours) working with students under supervision
These field experiences happen in schools where you’ll use your knowledge and build professional connections. “My practicum and internship gave me confidence to handle student issues on the ground,” says Dr. James Martinez, practicing school counselor.
Online vs. on-campus options
Your path to a master’s degree now has flexible options that fit different lifestyles.
On-campus programs offer:
- Face-to-face time with professors and peers
- Quick feedback as you develop counseling skills
- Better networking opportunities
- Well-laid-out learning environment
Online programs give you:
- Freedom to work while studying
- Access to programs from anywhere
- Lower costs (no moving or commuting expenses)
- Study at your own pace
Many schools now offer hybrid formats that mix online classes with in-person sessions for skills practice.
Your learning style and personal situation should guide your choice between program types. Online programs need self-discipline and tech skills. Traditional programs need you to be there in person but offer more direct support.
Before you enroll, check if your chosen program meets your state’s certification requirements. Some states have specific rules about in-person clinical training, even for online programs.
Every master’s program should prepare you for state licensure or certification. This academic foundation and supervised clinical experience are the building blocks of your career as a school counselor.
Step 3: Get Licensed or Certified by Your State
Your journey from student to professional school counselor begins with getting state licensure or certification after completing your master’s program. Each state has its own set of requirements, so researching your specific state’s rules is vital.
Understanding state-specific requirements
School counselor certification requirements are different in states across the country. You should check your state’s department of education website to get the most up-to-date information since requirements can change. Most states share these common elements:
- Master’s degree requirement (already completed in Step 2)
- Specific coursework and practicum hours
- Examination requirements
- Background check procedures
- Application fees and documentation
Certification processes vary by location. To cite an instance, New Jersey doesn’t require a licensing exam and focuses on degree completion. Michigan provides multiple credential paths including School Counselor License (SCL), Preliminary School Counselor License (PSCL), and Temporary School Counselor License (TSCL). New York has moved to new Initial and Professional School Counselor certificates since February 2023.
Passing the Praxis or equivalent exam
The Praxis Professional School Counselor exam (5421) stands as the most common test requirement. States like Delaware need a minimum score of 156. This computer-based assessment tests your knowledge of counseling theories, practices, and ethical standards.
Some states have their own exams. Michigan asks for the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) School Counselor examination. Illinois requires the Illinois Licensure Testing System School Counselor (181) exam that costs $122.
Testing companies and professional organizations provide study guides, practice tests, and review courses to help you prepare.
Submitting your application and background check
Background checks are mandatory in every jurisdiction. All 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands need background checks for school counselors.
The process usually includes:
- Fingerprinting through state police or FBI-approved vendors
- State and national criminal history searches
- Child protection registry checks in many states
- Signed consent forms for information release
Application steps vary by state but you’ll need to submit official transcripts, test scores, verification forms, and application fees. Delaware needs both license and certification applications. Illinois applicants must apply online through the Illinois State Board of Education portal and pay a $150 application fee.
Your initial certification or license comes after meeting all requirements and getting application approval. You’ll need to renew it every 3-5 years.
Step 4: Start Your Career and Grow Professionally
Your career as a school counselor begins after getting your state certification. The next phase involves landing your first position, building professional connections, and embracing continuous learning.
Finding your first job as a school counselor
Start your job search with your new credentials through education-focused channels. School districts post openings on their websites, state education department portals, and education job boards. NYC Public Schools requires candidates to register and complete an online application for the New Teacher Finder, which lets principals post positions and reach qualified candidates.
New job seekers should think over:
- LinkedIn and education job boards list hundreds of positions. New York alone had 312 school counselor jobs posted recently
- Questions during school interviews focus on your counseling approach and student support strategies
- Entry-level positions might include roles like academic counselor, after-school counselor, or college/career counselor
Joining professional organizations
Professional membership is a vital support when you start your career. The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) has been the “Home for School Counselors Since 1952” and gives counselors professional development, events, and resources. You might also want to join:
- National Association for College Admissions Counseling (NACAC) if you focus on college guidance
- American Counseling Association (ACA) to get broader counseling support
- National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) to gain additional certification opportunities
- State-level counseling organizations that help with local networking and advocacy
These memberships include liability insurance, discounted materials, and connections with thousands of fellow professionals.
Continuing education and staying certified
You need ongoing professional development to keep your certification active. Most states give five-year renewal certificates that need continuing education. Your options include:
- ASCA U Specialist designations through self-paced, online training. Topics cover anxiety management, bullying prevention, or college admissions ($99 for members, $249 for non-members, worth 5 CEUs/50 contact hours)
- The National Certified School Counselor (NCSC) certification needs documented experience equal to two academic years in a school counseling position
- Each state has specific renewal requirements that may include professional development units (PDs) or continuing education units (CEUs)
Professional development helps you learn current best practices and meet recertification requirements throughout your career.
Your Path to a Rewarding School Counseling Career
A career as a school counselor gives you a chance to make a meaningful difference in students’ lives. This piece outlines the key steps you need to take to enter this rewarding profession, from educational requirements to certification processes.
School counseling jobs are growing faster than average, with approximately 29,100 openings projected annually over the next decade. The median annual wage of $65,140 shows how much society values these vital educational professionals.
Each state has its own certification requirements. You should research your state’s guidelines early in your educational experience. A good accredited master’s program builds the foundation for your professional practice and speeds up the certification process.
Your professional development continues after certification. Successful school counselors join organizations like the American School Counselor Association that provides resources, networking, and continuing education. Staying current with new best practices helps you serve diverse student populations better throughout your career.
Your role as a school counselor goes way beyond the reach and influence of academic guidance. Students need your help to direct them through personal challenges, develop vital social skills, and prepare for their futures. While this path needs dedication and specific qualifications, helping shape young lives makes school counseling a truly rewarding profession.
Start gaining relevant experience with students at every stage of your career preparation. These experiences will strengthen your applications and confirm your passion to support students through their educational growth.
FAQs
Q1. How long does it take to become a school counselor? Typically, it takes about 6-7 years after high school to become a school counselor. This includes 4 years for a bachelor’s degree and 2-3 years for a master’s degree in school counseling. Some states may require additional time for gaining teaching experience or completing certification requirements.
Q2. What degree do I need to become a school counselor? You need a master’s degree in school counseling or a related field. Most programs require a bachelor’s degree for admission, though the undergraduate major can vary. Common undergraduate majors include psychology, education, or social work.
Q3. Do I need teaching experience to become a school counselor? Requirements vary by state. Some states require teaching experience or a teaching license, while others do not. It’s best to check your specific state’s requirements. Even if not required, some teaching or related experience working with students can be beneficial.
Q4. What are the main responsibilities of a school counselor? School counselors support students’ academic, personal, and social development. Key responsibilities include providing individual and group counseling, assisting with college and career planning, collaborating with teachers and parents, and implementing school-wide programs to address issues like bullying or substance abuse.
Q5. What is the job outlook for school counselors? The job outlook for school counselors is positive. Employment is projected to grow faster than average, with approximately 29,100 openings projected annually over the next decade. The median annual wage is around $65,140, though salaries can vary based on location and experience.