How to Become a School Counselor: Education and Career Guide
What do you think about when you think of school counseling? You may think of the days when you were in high school and a visit to your school or guidance counselor involved going over your class schedule for the year or to discuss your future plans once you graduate from school. There’s also the vision of their desks loaded with massive amounts of paperwork. No longer are school counselors just filing paperwork, dealing with class schedules and performing mundane administrative tasks. This area of counseling has evolved into, perhaps, what it was always meant to be.
What is School Counseling?
School Counseling is an area of counseling that focuses on helping students in areas of their lives such as academic, social and career development. This line of work requires an in-depth knowledge of child and adolescent behavior and development, crisis and trauma response, sexuality and gender, ethical and legal issues in a school environment, as well as career development. It’s a career field that involves providing psychological and social support to students in school environments.
Youth mental health has become an important issue over the years. In 2016 alone, 7.7 million young people between the ages of 6 and 17 dealt with a mental health disorder. Child and adolescent development shape people’s personalities as adults, so mental illnesses or struggles at these ages can solidify and become permanent if not treated well. Mental illness in teenagers can impact their growth process and their ability to make good decisions. This highlights the growing need for school counselors to improve child and adolescent wellbeing within communities.
If you are interested in a career in school counseling, this guide will tell you everything you need to know to make that decision.
What Do School Counselors Do?
School counselor duties and responsibilities are more varied than typical counselors. Your main responsibility is to address any issues a student faces that will impede their academic performance and growth process. You will provide psychological support but will also be engaged in supporting students through day-to-day challenges and future plans. Additionally, you may also help students try to find the right college to attend or help them figure out their career path. You can conduct individual assessments or group counseling depending on the needs of your students.
School counselors will typically:
- Help new students adjust in school
- Communicate with students about academic hurdles
- Understand students’ aspirations and future plans
- Offer career counseling to help students understand their options
- Provide advice for college applications
- Offer counseling support to students struggling with mental health
- Work closely with the parents or guardians of struggling students
- Advocate for students in school or parent meetings
- Create a supportive and safe environment within the school
On a day-to-day basis, school counselors might deal with a wide range of issues such as bullying, depression and grief. With the rise of bullying and depression in the school environment, it’s more important than ever to have licensed school counselors present in every school across the country.
School Counselor Education Requirements
To become a school counselor, you will need a minimum of a bachelor’s degree. Besides being trained in counseling, a school counselor will have to understand how to navigate in educational institutions and comprehend how young people learn best. Bachelor’s degrees in education or psychology will therefore form the foundation for embarking on your counseling journey.
Most states also require you to complete a master’s degree before you can practice as a school counselor. You can undertake a specialist Masters in School Counseling or a Master of Education in School Counseling.
Some public schools will have different requirements for education, such as undertaking courses that include internships. If you have a specific school in mind when going into your degree, you can consult with them directly and learn more about what they are looking for.
School Counselor Licensing or Certification Requirements
Before you can get licensed to practice, you will typically have to undergo two years of fieldwork. Certifications vary in different states, so the best way to understand the prerequisites is to consult the American School Counselor Association website.
Some states will require a teaching certificate to practice as a school counselor. In most cases, you will need to attain five-year renewal certificates throughout the course of your career.
Is Being a School Counselor Right for Me?
Working as a school counselor can be extremely rewarding, and plenty of individuals who choose this career path are passionate about inciting change in a young person’s life. As a school counselor, you are actively involved in fostering a student’s growth and in supporting them throughout their development process.
A school counselor will have to be comfortable working with children and adolescents. Many teachers go into school counseling after a few years of teaching, so having that experience will make it a smooth transition. A social personality is beneficial because you will be reaching out and approaching students. Building a trustworthy persona is crucial in encouraging more personal conversations. You will also have to be aware of the challenges younger people face and be understanding when coming up with solutions.
As a school counselor, you are responsible for ensuring that students under your care can flourish within the school atmosphere and even at home. You must also be flexible in approaching them, acknowledging that every student is unique and will respond differently to counseling support.
The responsibility may at times appear burdensome because you are handling numerous students, but it can be worthwhile for people who are passionate about this line of work. You will be a valuable supporter for the students, advocating for their needs on a deeply personal level. You will have an active say in policies that concern students.
If you are looking for a way to impact young minds, and if you flourish in a job position where you can make a difference, working as a school counselor will be a good fit for you.
Where Do School Counselors Work?
School counselors work in academic institutions ranging from elementary schools to colleges. Choosing an academic institution to work in is how you can specialize within the counseling field.
Some institutions you can work in include some of the following:
- Private schools
- Public schools
- Local schools
- Vocational schools
- Universities and colleges
School Counselors Salary and Career Projections
The Bureau of Labor Statistics has listed the average annual wage of school counselors at $57,040 per year*. The job outlook is favorable, with a projected growth of 8% between 2019 and 2029. This number is higher than average career projections.
This is due to predicted increases in student enrollments. It’s also due to increased awareness of the necessity of school counselor role in guiding students to better lifestyles. Regardless of the reason, school counselor jobs are likely to grow as the role becomes more important in the students’ lives and face increased employment demand.
School Counselor Requirements for Continuing Education and Professional Growth
Besides having to renew your certificate every five years, you can choose to undertake a Ph.D. in counseling or school counseling. This will help to broaden your opportunities for professional growth. A Ph.D. is the highest possible education degree to attain and the process may take around 7 to 8 years.
A Ph.D. is suitable for school counselors who would like to gain more specialist knowledge about their practice. It’s also suitable for those interested in conducting research that will improve the school counseling field. If you are thinking of transitioning into teaching other counselors in universities, a Ph.D. will also be suitable for you.
Professional Resources and Organizations Available for School Counselors
To learn more about being a school counselor, organizations such as the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) and the American Counseling Association (ACA) will have in-depth information about professional requirements and tips. If you want to explore specific school counseling programs, you can go through university sites or start your journey with our resources.
Preparation for a School Counseling Career
The following schools can help prepare you for a career as a school counselor:
Psychology Programs Online
Online Education Programs
Online School Counseling Programs – Bachelor’s Degree Required
Liberty University – M.Ed. in School Counseling
Grand Canyon University – M.Ed. in School Counseling
Gwynedd Mercy University – MS in Counseling: School Counseling
Did you find this career guide helpful? Or browse through our compiled lists of quality schools offering online school counseling master’s degrees that will help you become a practicing school counselor.
*Salaries may be lower or higher for school counselors depending on location, educational background, work experience and current employment.