Elementary School Counselor

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“An unexpected joy in my job is participating in the good moments as often as the dark moments of a kid’s life. I stand in the commons every morning giving kids who have hard home lives hugs as they walk through the door…I would have missed these opportunities if I had been in a private practice, which was my original plan.”

Madeline Dormois, MS, Counselor at Desoto Central Elementary School

Elementary school is a time of tremendous growth physically, mentally, and emotionally for kids. Much of the time spent in elementary school is less about what kids learn than teaching them how to learn, interact with peers, and move through the school day, particularly in the first few years. While teachers are responsible for providing classroom structure, activities, and routine, the school counselors often step in to help students grow socio-emotional intelligence and skills to help kids become outstanding students and community members.

Because of the specialized nature of elementary school counselors’ work, they must have education and training in counseling, child development, and learning strategies. To be licensed, elementary school counselors must, at a minimum, complete some graduate-level coursework, and in many cases, they must earn a master’s. Many states require that elementary school counselors be licensed teachers and earn a school counseling credential.

Elementary school counselors work closely with school administration, teachers, students, and parents to help students succeed. They do this by implementing evidence-based school counseling programs designed to teach social skills and emotional awareness, provide intervention for struggling kids, and implement preventative programs to lay the foundation for future skill-building.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS 2024), school counselors are in high demand. Between 2023 and 2033, there will be an estimated 4 percent growth in educational, guidance, and career counselors’ and advisors’ jobs.

Continue reading to learn more about this rewarding profession that can profoundly impact students’ lives, including education requirements, how to get licensed, and what elementary school counselors do.

Meet the Expert: Madeline Dormois, MS

Madeline Dormois is a Memphis native working as a licensed elementary school counselor in northern Mississippi. She earned her undergraduate and master’s degrees from the University of Memphis, where she focused her research on the impact of trauma on family systems.

After gaining two years of experience at a high school, Dormois transitioned to her current role at Desoto Central Elementary School, fulfilling her long-held desire to work with younger students.

CounselingSchools.com: What is something most people don’t know about being an Elementary School Counselor?

Dormois: Being an elementary school counselor is wild sometimes. I expected abuse, suicidal ideation, and entering dark stories when I was at the high school level, but I did not fully expect the same problems to show up at similar rates at an elementary level. Kids navigate the same familial problems, online safety issues, and mental health problems as teenagers. Mental health diagnoses that I was taught started in late middle school are beginning to be given to younger kids.

Although I originally found this disheartening, I now have a passion for early intervention, providing preventative supports, and using my classroom guidance time to have age-appropriate conversations with kids about hard topics. Parental involvement at an elementary level also provides so many opportunities for parent education and support in addressing these issues early.

Another unexpected joy in my job is participating in the good moments as often as the dark moments of a kid’s life. I stand in the commons every morning giving kids who have hard home lives hugs as they walk through the door. I can cheer in the audience of the school talent show for the kid who struggles with performance anxiety. I can support the kid who struggles academically when they see me in the hallway and show me their good grade on a test. I would have missed these opportunities if I had been in a private practice, which was my original plan.

CounselingSchools.com: What advice would you give someone aspiring to be an Elementary School Counselor?

Dormois: I have two pieces of advice for school counselors. The first is to get support. I have some school counselor friends who help me hold my fears, burnout, and questions. Those counselors are my lifeline. Due to FERPA, I may not be able to tell them identifiable details, but talking about how issues I face impact me is vital for my mental health. Nothing is more healing than talking to someone who gets the pain and confusion from a long day.

The other advice is to get hobbies. We carry a lot of darkness in our jobs. A heaviness can seep into our personal lives if we aren’t careful. Each day, I ask myself what I can do to add beauty, joy, and self-care and play into my life in a way that will outweigh the darkness I took on in my school day. Sometimes, it’s just a run and a good meal; other times, it’s reading a book, watching a movie, or trying a new craft. Whatever it is, I find a way to leave my work at work.

How to Become an Elementary School Counselor

Education & Training to Become an Elementary School Counselor

Because elementary school counselors must have training in both education and counseling, it takes significant training and schooling to enter this profession. The qualifications for this job can vary depending on state licensing requirements.

The first step in becoming an elementary school counselor is to complete a bachelor’s degree. Most aspiring elementary school counselors complete their four-year undergraduate degree in counseling or a related field such as psychology, education, sociology, or social work.

The next education step elementary school counselors must take is to complete graduate-level coursework. All states require elementary school counselors to complete at least graduate-level classes in counseling or while others may require a master’s degree. Students should ensure the program they attend is accredited, as this may be required for certification or licensing.

Elementary school counseling programs can be programmatically accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) or regionally accredited by an entity recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

Programs for elementary school counselors are usually at least 48 semester or 72 quarter hours. These programs can be completed on-campus, online, or in a hybrid format. With full-time and part-time options, working professionals can find a program that suits their needs.

At the College of William and Mary School of Education in Williamsburg, Virginia, students can complete an online master’s in education in counseling in just three years. This CACREP-accredited program also includes an internship and practicum component that can be completed close to where the student lives. Aspiring elementary school counselors can earn their work experience hours in schools or work with children in a clinical mental health setting.

Once education, internship, and practicum requirements have been completed, elementary school counselors must apply for licensing to practice in their state. Each state has its own licensure qualifications, so aspiring elementary school counselors should contact their local board to ensure they have the necessary credentials, education, and work experience.

Check out our guide to master’s degree programs in school counseling for more information.

Supervised Hour Requirements for Elementary School Counselors

There are three categories where elementary school counselors may be required to complete supervised work experience hours.

The first set of hours is completed as part of a school counseling education program. Most programs include a practicum or internship component students must complete to graduate. Practicums usually have at least 100 hours of supervised work experience, while internships consist of 600 hours or more. Elementary school counselors will often complete these hours in a school setting, although sometimes these hours can be completed in clinics working with children.

The second set of hours that must be earned are supervised work experience hours required for certification. To be board-certified as a National Certified School Counselor (NCSC), candidates must meet one of the following three requirements:

Six semester hours (or ten quarter-hours) of supervised school field experience
Three semester hours (or five quarter-hours) of supervised school field experience and ten continuous years as a fully state-licensed school counselor
Three semester hours (or five quarter-hours) of supervised school field experience and an additional 120 hours of direct supervision

Lastly, many states require elementary school counselors to complete supervised work experience hours. For example, to earn an initial Special Services Endorsement through the Connecticut State Department of Education for school counselors in Connecticut, applicants must have 30 school months of experience teaching or complete ten months of full-time supervised experience as a school counselor, in addition to education and testing requirements. Hours completed as part of an education program or for certification may meet the requirements for supervised work hours.

Licensure and Certification for Elementary School Counselors

While certification is voluntary for elementary school counselors, but licensing is mandatory in all 50 states. Earning a certification can help with employment opportunities, and career advancement, and, in some states, may meet the requirements for licensure.

The primary certification elementary school counselors can choose to earn is the National Certified School Counselor (NCSC) credential through the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC). To earn this certification, candidates must:

Hold a National Certified Counselor (NCC) certification
Have either six semester hours (or ten quarter-hours) of supervised school field experience or three semester hours (or five quarter-hours) of supervised school field experience and ten continuous years as a fully state-licensed school counselor or three semester hours (or five quarter-hours) of supervised school field experience and an additional 120 hours of direct supervision
Complete 100 hours of post-graduate school counseling supervision
Obtain an endorsement from a professional colleague who holds a master’s degree or higher in a mental health field
Have two years of full-time work experience as a school counselor or 3,000 hours over the past 20 months
Pass either the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE)

Licensing requirements vary by state but typically include education, testing, background checks, a licensing fee, and a completed application. Titles for elementary school counselors also differ and can include licensed professional counselor, professional educator with a counseling endorsement, school counselor, and more.

In Texas, for example, elementary school counselors are licensed as Standard School Counselors by the Texas Education Agency. Requirements to earn this endorsement in Texas are:

Pass the Texas Examinations of Educator Standards (TExES) School Counselor exam
Graduate from an approved Educator Preparation Program in school counseling
Earn a master’s degree in counseling from a regionally accredited institution (at least 48 semester credit hours)
Have two years of experience as a teacher
Submit a complete online application
Pass a background check

Many states have two or more levels of licensing for elementary school counselors. Elementary school counselors can earn a provisional, initial, or interim license in these states. They must then complete work experience hours, testing, or education requirements to obtain a full license.

For more information, check out this full guide to state-by-state licensure requirements for school counselors.

Licensure Renewal Requirements

It is essential for elementary school counselors to maintain their state licenses. Requirements for renewals vary by state, but almost all states require elementary school counselors to complete continuing education hours, submit an application, and pay a renewal fee.

For example, elementary school counselors’ licenses in Nevada are valid for five years. To renew, candidates must complete an online application, pay a $150 licensing fee, and provide proof of 15 hours of continuing education per year.

Continuing education is a critical component of many professional careers, and elementary school counselors are no exception. There are innovations in counseling, new best practices, and ever-changing teaching techniques that elementary school counselors can learn about through continuing education courses to provide the best services possible to their students. Fulfilling continuing education requirements and maintaining licensure also demonstrates to employers that a counselor is continually learning and improving. Certain coursework can also help with career advancement or raises.

What Do Elementary School Counselors Do?

For many kids, elementary school is their first structured school experience. They have to learn how to be good students and operate in large groups, follow directions, interact with peers, and express their feelings safely. Elementary school counselors have extensive mental health and child development training and experience to help students navigate school and become lifelong learners.

Some elementary school counselors are attached to one specific school where they work full-time. Elementary school counselors are assigned to several schools in some districts, dividing their time. The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) recommends one school counselor for every 250 students and that at least 80 percent of their time is spent working with or for students. However, the average is one school counselor for 376 students across the country for the 2023–2024 school year (the most recent year for which data is available), so school counselors are often stretched thin and overworked.

Key skills for elementary school counselors include empathy, patience, compassion, a keen ability to listen, and strong teaching skills. Elementary school counselors also need to have an acute level of cultural sensitivity as they often must work with students from varying backgrounds.

Day-to-day activities for elementary school counselors can vary. However, typical duties can include:

Teaching lessons on emotions, social interactions, and behavior to elementary students
Leading workshops for teachers, administrators, and other school staff on how to prevent bullying, teach emotional skills, or other pertinent topics
Running small groups for elementary students to develop friendship-making skills, model appropriate behavior, or role-play managing emotions
Meeting with parents to discuss children’s school needs and develop plans to help them be successful
Administering tests to determine a student’s abilities to make a plan to help them improve
Assisting with crisis situations in schools
Writing a school-wide counseling and emotional education program to address the specific needs of their school

How Much Do Elementary School Counselors Make?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) classifies elementary school counselors as educational, guidance, and career counselors and advisors. Here are the number of professionals in this field and the percentages for wages based on the BLS data from May 2023.

Number employed in the U.S.: 327,660
Average annual salary (mean): $66,990
10th percentile: $40,140
25th percentile: $48,760
50th percentile (median): $61,710
75th percentile: $78,780
90th percentile: $100,050

Elementary School Counselor Professional Associations & Resources

National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC)
American School Counselors Association (ASCA)
American Counseling Association (ACA)
American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA)
National Career Development Association (NCDA)
Association for Child and Adolescent Counseling (ACAC)
National Education Association (NEA)
Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development (AMCD)
International School Counseling Association (ISCA)
The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
School Counselor Connection from the American Counseling Association (ACA)
Center for School Counseling Outcome Research & Evaluation (CSCORE)

Kimmy Gustafson

Writer

At CounselingSchools.com, Kimmy Gustafson’s expertly crafted articles delve into the world of counseling and mental health, providing valuable insights and guidance to readers since 2020. In addition to feature pieces and interviews, she keeps the state licensing tables current. Kimmy has been a freelance writer for more than a decade, writing hundreds of articles on a wide variety of topics such as startups, nonprofits, healthcare, kiteboarding, the outdoors, and higher education. She is passionate about seeing the world and has traveled to over 27 countries. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Oregon. When not working, she can be found outdoors, parenting, kiteboarding, or cooking.

Rachel Drummond, MEd

Writer

Rachel Drummond has used her expertise in education and mindfulness to guide aspiring counselors since 2020. Her work emphasizes the importance of integrating reflective mindfulness into counseling techniques, helping readers understand how mental and physical well-being can enhance their professional practice and personal development in counseling.

Rachel is a writer, educator, and coach from Oregon. She has a master’s degree in education (MEd) and has over 15 years of experience teaching English, public speaking, and mindfulness to international audiences in the United States, Japan, and Spain. She writes about the mind-body benefits of contemplative movement practices like yoga on her blog, inviting people to prioritize their unique version of well-being and empowering everyone to live healthier and more balanced lives.