School Counseling

Education and Careers

School kids need guidance and support, especially when it comes to dealing with academic, personal, parental and societal pressures. Helping them reach their potential is the goal of every good school counselor, and they do that by being caring, patient and flexible.

What They Do

School counselors help students at all levels, from elementary school to college. They act as advocates for students’ well-being and are a valuable resource for their educational advancement. Counselors help students with issues such as bullying, dealing with disabilities, low self-esteem, poor academic performance and relationship problems. They refer students to a school psychologist for further treatment if necessary.

In addition, they evaluate students’ abilities, interests and personalities to help them develop academic and career goals. They also administer aptitude tests and show students different paths to success.

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Skills You Need

Learn which personality traits and professional skills you’ll need to be a successful school counselor.

You should have…

Excellent communication skills
Goal-setting skills
High ethical standards
Clear boundaries
Good mediation skills

How to Become a School Counselor

Licensing and certification guidelines for school counselors vary by state. Make sure to check the guidelines in your state before you start your studies.

1

Get a Bachelor’s Degree

Earn an undergraduate degree in teacher ed or psychology. You’ll also need a master’s degree in school counseling or a related degree.

2

Earn a Master’s Degree

A master’s degree in counseling will teach you about academic and career development, counseling, and working with parents, teachers and school staff.

3

Supervised Work Experience

Most master’s degrees require you to get work experience in an internship or practicum. Ask about this before applying to programs.

4

Apply for Licensure in Your State

Public school counselors must have a state-issued license. This credential may be called a certification, a license or an endorsement, depending on state requirements.

Salary Comparison

Compared to other counselors, school counselors make a good living. But salaries do vary a lot based on location, years of experience and a variety of other factors. The median salary for School and Career Counselors is $54,560, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

$54,560

School & Career Counselors

$49,170

Marriage & Family Therapists

$34,670

Rehab Counselor

$42,840

Mental Health Counselor

_{Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 2018-19 Occupational Outlook Handbook.}

_{*The salary information listed is based on a national average, unless noted. Actual salaries may vary greatly based on specialization within the field, location, years of experience and a variety of other factors. National long-term projections of employment growth may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions, and do not guarantee actual job growth.}

Job Growth

Employment of school counselors is expected to grow 11 percent through 2026. National long-term projections of employment growth may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions, and do not guarantee actual job growth.

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Job Growth

11%