How to Become a School Counselor and Support Student Well-being

School counselors are certified/licensed educators who change lives, leading programs that uplift every student in school and beyond.

With an average ratio of 385 students to one school counselor nationwide, above the American School Counselor Association's recommendation, the need for passionate school counselors is great.

If you're ready to pursue your passion for helping students, now is an ideal time to begin your journey into school counseling. Read on to explore how school counselors support student well-being in meaningful, lasting ways and what it takes to become one.

 

What Are Current Priorities in School Counseling?

Student needs have been the heart of school counseling since it emerged in the early 1900s. The field has evolved from providing primarily vocational-focused services to comprehensive programs that support the academic, career and social-emotional development of every student.

School counseling is continually evolving, with school counselors leading programs that cater to students’ diverse needs. School counselors address a myriad of priorities, through developmentally appropriate prevention, intervention and responsive counseling services, including:

• Achievement Gaps: Closing achievement gaps was a top challenge cited by school counselors in the most recent ASCA State of the Profession report. Research shows learning gaps have widened post-pandemic, with historically underserved and lower-performing students recovering more slowly than students who entered the pandemic performing at higher levels.

• Postsecondary Planning: More students are experiencing uncertainty about their postsecondary plans. Nearly three-quarters of recent high school graduates surveyed by YouScience, an educational technology company, agreed to “feeling only moderately, slightly or not at all prepared for next steps.”

• Mental Health and Emotional Well-being: Students have a widespread need for accessible mental health support. Twenty percent of U.S. children from ages three to 17 have a mental, emotional, behavioral or developmental disorder, and 18% of students rely on school-based mental health services.

• Racism and Bias: Racism and bias affect students’ well-being and access to opportunities that shape their academic and career success. School counselors work to ensure that every student is seen, supported and treated fairly—over 80% of school counselors surveyed for the ASCA State of the Profession report said they were taking actions to address racism and bias in their program.

• Homelessness: Recent data show that homelessness among public school students has risen by 14%. Unstable housing can disrupt nearly every aspect of a student’s life, from academic achievement to emotional well-being.

 Are school counselors therapists? No, but school counselors are trained in counseling techniques to help students receive holistic support, including mental health counseling, and remove barriers to learning and thrive at school and beyond.

 

What Is the Outlook for School Counseling Careers?

School counseling can be a fulfilling career for compassionate individuals who want to work with students on their academic, career and social-emotional development. By becoming a school counselor, you can help bridge the gaps that hinder students from thriving.

Today's school counselor caseloads often exceed recommended levels, leaving many students without the essential support they need. For the 2023-24 school year, only three states reported student-to-school counselor ratios within ASCA’s recommended range of 250-to-1 (Hawaii, New Hampshire and Vermont). At the same time, almost 20% of students don’t have access to a counselor in their school.

The urgent need for school counselors has led to a strong career outlook:

• Employment: The employment of school and career counselors and advisors is expected to grow by 4% from 2024 to 2034, resulting in about 31,000 average job openings each year over the decade.
• Earning Potential: Half of school and career counselors and advisors earn more than $65,140, and the top 10% earn over $105,870. Many factors can influence pay, including experience level, location and work setting, such as public or private schools.

 If you are seeking a career where you can work with students and make a difference in their lives, school counseling offers both purpose and opportunity.

 

What Do School Counselors Do?

School counselors lead and implement counseling programs in elementary, middle and high schools, often as part of the school leadership team. They also serve in supervisory roles for school districts and educate future school counselors.

School counselors support student growth in three areas, preparing them with the skills to succeed in school, maintain personal well-being and lead fulfilling lives:

• Academic Development: Enhancing the ability to learn.
• Social-Emotional Development: Regulating emotions and applying interpersonal skills.
• Career Development: Connecting school to the world of work and preparing to transition into postsecondary education or the workforce.

Day-to-day duties vary by student population, as the developmental needs of elementary, middle and high school students differ. Yet, all school counselors are prepared to lead and deliver school counseling programs.

 

How Do School Counselors Lead School Counseling Programs?

School counselors shape the vision and direction of school counseling programs. They define, manage and assess comprehensive programs that help every student succeed.

Here is how the ASCA describes these responsibilities:

• Design: Using data analysis to identify students' issues, needs and challenges, and then defining a school counseling program to address them.
• Management: Planning how every student will develop the strategies and skills needed to succeed through the program. This involves setting individual student goals, creating lesson plans and educating others in the school about the program.
• Assessment: Regularly assessing school counseling programs to measure student outcomes and identify opportunities for improvement. School counselors are also evaluated through a self-assessment and by a school administrator to inform their professional development.

School counselors' program leadership influences meaningful student success schoolwide.

 

How Do School Counselors Help Students Through Direct Services?

School counselors spend most of their time working with students directly—an average of 58%, according to ASCA’s State of the Profession report. By connecting with students one-on-one and in small groups, they address students' academic, career and social-emotional needs in real time.

According to ASCA, the areas of direct school counseling services are:

• Instruction: Presenting school counseling lessons.
• Appraisal and Advisement: Providing academic advising and interpreting tests, data and assessments to help students understand themselves and their progress.
• Counseling: Providing short-term mental health counseling to individuals and small groups, especially during crisis, disaster and other events causing trauma or grief. School counselors also make referrals to outside mental health professionals for longer-term counseling.

School counselors work with students directly to help them navigate challenges and build confidence for success in school and in life.

 

How Do School Counselors Work With Students Indirectly? 

School counselors also provide indirect services to students, which account for about 17% of their time, according to ASCA’s State of the Profession report.

Indirect services are activities provided on behalf of students rather than directly with them. They expand the impact of school counselors, promoting student success through partnerships and external resources.

ASCA defines indirect school counseling services as:

• Consultation: Advocating for individual students at student-focused meetings, such as education planning meetings.
• Collaboration: Working with teachers, administrators, families and other key stakeholders to enable student success.
• Referrals: Connecting students to external services, such as long-term mental health counseling or community agencies.

Through program leadership, direct and indirect services, school counselors foster educational experiences that enable every student to grow and thrive.

 

Who Is Well-Suited for School Counseling? 

Transitioning careers to school counseling is ideal for individuals who want to make a deeper impact on children's lives.

School counseling is especially well-suited for people who already have experience working with children, such as educators, coaches, administrators, admissions advisors or school support staff. In some states, having a teaching license is required for school counselor certification/licensure, making education experience particularly valuable.

This career is also an excellent fit for individuals who can balance both the emotional complexity of supporting students with analytical thinking and planning. The role will also tap into your empathy, listening and communication skills as you advocate for and work with students every day.

 

How to Become a School Counselor?

Becoming a school counselor follows a clear path. You will complete a master's or doctoral degree program in school counseling, obtain state certification/licensure and participate in continuing education to maintain your school counselor credential.

 

Step 1: School Counseling Education

According to the ASCA, school counselors must hold a minimum of a master’s degree in school counseling from an accredited program. The U.S. has over 270 school counseling programs accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), including online and in-person options.

A bachelor’s degree is required for entry into master’s school counseling programs. A wide range of bachelor’s degrees are typically accepted, but educational backgrounds in psychology, education or human services provide particularly relevant preparation.

As part of your school counseling education, you’ll complete a practicum and/or internship in a school. This hands-on experience, alongside a school counselor, will provide you with real-world insights into the profession and enable you to apply your learning.

 

Step 2: State Certification/Licensure

In addition to obtaining a master’s in school counseling, you will need to fulfill the other certification/licensure requirements in the state where you plan to practice.

Generally, licensure requires post-graduate supervised hours, and you will need to pass a state/national comprehensive test, which demonstrates your readiness to provide effective counseling services. Examples include:

• National Counselor Examination (NCE)
• Praxis School Counselor Exam
• State-specific school counselor exams

Depending on your state’s licensure process, you will take the exam during the last semester of your master’s in school counseling program or right after graduation.

Once you’ve completed all the application requirements in your state, you will become a certified/licensed school counselor. Then, you will need to follow your state’s process for renewing your credential regularly.

 

Step 3: Continuing Education

Continuing education is a required component of the process for renewing your state certification/licensure. School counselors must engage in ongoing professional learning to stay current with best practices and meet state requirements. Required hours range from 50 to over 200.

 

Earn Your Master’s in School Counseling and Become Influential in Students’ Lives

When you become a school counselor, you will join a growing, compassionate workforce striving to heal our world. School counselors are profound influences in students’ lives, opening doors to opportunity and strengthening entire school communities.

Walsh University offers a CACREP-accredited Online Master of Arts (MA) in School Counseling program that will teach you the vital skills necessary to succeed in this influential profession, from working with at-risk students and facilitating crisis counseling to connecting families with community resources and beyond.

Guided by Catholic values with an emphasis on human dignity, you will prepare to become a licensed counselor ready to serve diverse cultures and communities:

• Hands-on Experience: Gain real-world experience through internships and practicum in your home area, with field experience support to help secure sites.
• Fully Remote: Choose from five starts per year and complete your coursework 100% online, with no on-campus visits required.
• Dedicated Support: Receive the support you need to succeed from enrollment to graduation from compassionate faculty and a dedicated student support advisor.

At Walsh University, they empower aspiring school counselors to guide, support, and inspire students through every chapter of their lives. If you’re ready to turn your calling into a career, let’s begin the conversation today.