High School School Counselor – College Prep Counselor

The outlook for job growth for high school counselors is strong. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (2022) predicts a job growth rate between 2021 and 2031 of 10 percent, which is considered faster than the national average for all occupations over the same period (5 percent).

Counselors who work in schools are called school counselors or guidance counselors. At younger grades, they are called school counselors and typically help new students develop confidence, aligning young people’s behavior at school with society’s expectations. High school counselors may be called “college prep counselors” or “guidance counselors.” At this stage, counselors often help students make successful career choices and make sure their education is on track to prepare them for college.

School counselors can work with students of any age, from preschool to the K through 12 school grades. The American School Counselor Association says the perception that guidance counselors simply hang out in their office waiting for troublemakers is far from the truth. School guidance professionals are vital educational team members who spend most of their time in direct contact with students.

In younger grades, school counselors may connect families in need with social services, and provide education, prevention, and intervention activities to support an individual student or all students’ healthy development. In higher grades, high school and college prep counselors help students stay on track for graduation. All the work of counselors in schools at any grade is designed to help students become productive, well-adjusted adults.

Discover what to expect from a job as a high school or college prep counselor, including the requisite education, licensing, and salary information.

How to Become a High School Counselor

Schools offer varying degree programs for becoming a high school counselor.

Some institutions require a school counselor to have a master’s degree in counseling. Degrees can be either a master of arts in counseling, a master of science in counseling, or a master of education in counseling. Students can also study psychology and minor in counseling. Often, the degree holder has taken education requirements at the master’s level for a general counseling degree, specializing in working in schools.

While most colleges do not restrict the type of undergraduate degree prospective students can hold, most prefer the degree to be in something related to counseling or education. Social work or sociology would be an effective and appropriate undergraduate degree for someone who is interested in a school counseling career. Psychology, education, or something similar would also be a good preparatory undergraduate degree.

The National Association of School Psychologists issues a Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) credential. This credential recognizes school psychologists who meet rigorous national standards for graduate preparation and continuing professional development. Many states and school districts accept this credential when deciding on who to hire for their positions. In order to achieve this credential, seek out NASP-approved graduate programs.

To become a high school counselor, the prospective student will decide on their educational path. Earning a bachelor’s degree from an accredited school or program is the first and foundational step toward a career in school counseling. Then, they should decide if they want to pursue a master’s degree from a school that requires graduate entrance exam (GRE) scores as part of its admission requirements. It takes time to prepare for these exams, so that should ideally be factored into a student’s plan. According to the Princeton Review, it takes between four and 12 weeks to prepare for the GRE properly.

During the student’s master’s education, they decide on the specializations they want to take. For instance, they may focus on bilingual or multicultural counseling or primary or secondary school counseling.

To meet licensing requirements, most states require the student to have graduated with a master’s degree from a state-approved program. This typically means the state’s board of education has approved the school counseling program. Other accreditations to look for when considering school counseling degree programs are those from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Many states require graduates seeking licensure to have graduated from an accredited program, as do doctoral programs for those who wish to continue on for further graduate-level education.

School counselor degrees are available in traditional on-campus, online, and hybrid formats. While some school administrators and educators may continue on and achieve a doctorate in school counseling, psychology, or education with an emphasis on school counseling, most of these programs are master’s level.

In Florida, for instance, the University of Florida’s Counseling Education Program offers a master of education (MEd) and education specialist (EdS) dual degree. Students who complete a master’s thesis are awarded a master of arts in education (MAE) rather than a master of education. The dual degree requires 72 credits, which is completed in an average of 2.5 to three years. Students complete one practicum (an observational learning experience) and one clinical internship (supervised work experience that typically follows a practicum).

Students in the University of Florida program can choose to specialize in school counseling. That requires passing scores on the Florida Teacher Certification Examination (for practice in Florida), the Professional Education examination, and the Subject Area Examination in Guidance and Counseling K-12 before graduation from the program.

When students apply to the program, they should know which specialization track they want to pursue, because the application is specialization-specific. This program says GRE scores are given strong consideration although they are not required, but there are many colleges and universities with in-person and online counseling degree programs that do not require them at all.

Supervised Hour Requirements for High School Counselors

To become board-certified as a National Certified School Counselor (NCSC), the graduates must have completed six semester- or ten quarter-hours of supervised school field experience. Becoming board-certified is voluntary, but it goes a step further to ensure that the graduates achieve the highest standard of education and practice. If the graduates have not completed six semester hours of supervised school field experience, alternative options are:

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

The supervised hour requirements vary by state. All require a master’s degree, experiential hours, and a period of supervision. Florida, for example, requires 600 clock hours of supervised internship, according to the Florida Department of Education.

CACREP, the highest level of accreditation for counselor education, accredits programs in which students complete supervised counseling practicums of a minimum of 100 clock hours over a full academic term of a minimum of ten weeks. Practicum students must complete at least 40 clock-hours of direct client work that develops their counseling skills. Supervisors must interact with the students weekly for at least one hour per week. Additionally, practicum students must join in 1.5 hours of group supervision weekly.

During an internship, students must complete 600 clock-hours of supervised work with clients within their specialty area. Internship students complete at least 240 clock-hours of direct service. During the internship, students must again interact weekly with supervisors and their groups.

Credentialing & State Licensure for High School Counselors

Different states confer different titles on licensed counselors. The most common titles are Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC), and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC). Each state’s regulatory board issues each title.

State licensure application processes vary. States may specifically require the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE). Some states require both examinations or allow you to choose between the two.

According to the American Counseling Association, state licensure requirements for professional counselors typically include possession of a master’s or doctoral degree in counseling from an accredited institution, completion of a minimum of 3,000 hours of post-master’s degree supervised clinical experience (performed within two years), and periodic completion of continuing education credits or hours, passing a state-recognized exam.

To be a practicing school counselor in Florida, for example, the student must become certified by the State of Florida Department of Education (DOE) Division of Certification. Certification by the state differs from national certifications.

For licensure, the Florida DOE requires either a master’s or higher degree with a major in guidance and counseling or school counseling that includes a minimum of 600 hours of supervised internship serving school-aged students in a pre-kindergarten, an elementary, or a secondary school setting. Non-counseling majors must have a minimum of 600 clock hours of supervised internship with school-aged children and their families with at least nine semester-hours of graduate credit in certain defined career and school counseling-related endeavors.

Licensure Renewal Requirements

All states require some sort of continuing education in order for a school counselor to renew their license. State licensure renewal requirements vary by area. The period of renewal can be from two to seven years, with five being the most common.

Requirements vary as well but typically include either a number of clock hours of professional development, semester-hours, or credits of additional education. Arizona, for instance, requires 180 clock hours of professional development or 12 semester-hours of education, or a combination of the two. Florida, though, requires six semester-hours of college credit to include at least one semester-hour in teaching students with disabilities.

Featured Master’s Degrees for High School Counselors

Northern Arizona University

Northern Arizona University’s Department of Educational Psychology offers a master of education program in counseling with a school counseling concentration. Accredited by both CACREP and CAEP, this program meets the coursework requirements for the Arizona Department of Education’s K-12 guidance counselor endorsement. Students in this program will engage in fieldwork, participate in internship and practicum experiences, and take courses to prepare them to become certified school counselors. Upon completion, graduates can provide counseling services in areas such as human growth and development, career and lifestyle development, social and cultural foundations, professional orientation, and research and program evaluation.

The program’s 60-credit curriculum is deeply informed by the American School Counseling Association (ASCA National Model). Coursework includes foundations of school counseling; child and adolescent counseling; practices of school counseling; multicultural counseling; psychopathology and diagnosis; counseling process; topics in crisis, trauma, and disaster counseling; marriage, couple, and family counseling; and substance-related and addictive disorders.

Applicants to the program must have an undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Those who have a lesser than 3.0 GPA will be required to submit GRE test scores.

  • Location: Flagstaff, AZ
  • Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC); Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP); Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
  • Expected Time to Completion: Three years
  • Estimated Tuition: AZ resident ($11,846 per year); non-resident ($29,338 per year); international ($30,338 per year)

Auburn University

The Counselor Education (CED) programs at Auburn University offer high-quality education programs for counselors. These include master’s level counseling degrees in clinical rehabilitation counseling, school counseling, and clinical mental health counseling. The master of education program in school counseling can be completed on-campus or online. Only the on-campus program is accredited by both the CACREP and CAEP.

The curriculum of this 60-credit program includes courses such as counseling children and adolescents; counseling applications of lifespan development; counseling theories; orientation to school counsel; crisis intervention in counseling; foundations of school counseling; leadership and advocacy for school counselors; and advanced assessment and diagnosis in counseling. Students also complete 9 credits of internship and a three-credit practicum.

  • Location: Auburn, AL
  • Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC); Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP); Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
  • Expected Time to Completion: Two years
  • Estimated Tuition: On-campus (resident: $577 per credit; nonresident: $1,731 per credit); online ($630 per credit)

Ohio University

This is the third school counseling program on this list with accreditation from CACREP and CAEP. The master’s of education (MEd) program in counselor education with a specialization in school counseling offered by Ohio University prepares students to serve the pre-K-12 population by assuming advocacy and leadership positions to promote optimum development for all students. In addition to the core counseling courses, students in this specialization are trained in counseling and assessment of children and adolescents and professional school counseling.

Students at Ohio University can also complete a dual specialization in clinical mental health counseling and school counseling (CMH/SC) where they will be required to complete additional coursework and a 600-hour clinical mental health counseling internship to be eligible for Ohio licensure as Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC). Graduates will be prepared for job opportunities in school counseling and mental health counseling.

For admission to this 60-credit program, applicants must have a bachelor’s degree with a GPA of 2.9 or higher. Those with a GPA less than 2.9, will be required to submit GRE scores.

  • Location: Athens, OH
  • Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC); Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP); Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
  • Expected Time to Completion: Six semesters
  • Estimated Tuition: Ohio Resident ($583 per credit); non-resident ($1,079 per credit)

Sam Houston State University

Sam Houston State University offers a master of education program in school counseling that is specifically designed to prepare teachers for school counseling and may also meet academic requirements for licensure as a professional counselor (LPC). Complying with existing standards for professional certification, this 60-credit program is ideal for students who wish to work toward certification as school counselors in Texas. Additionally, those interested in play therapy can add on a graduate certificate in play therapy.

The curriculum includes courses such as counseling profession & ethics; supervised practice in counseling; counseling for addictions; career counseling across lifespan; child & adolescent counseling; cross-cultural issues in counseling; and effective human behavior.

  • Location: Huntsville, TX
  • Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC); Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP); Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
  • Expected Time to Completion: Two years
  • Estimated Tuition: In-state ($320.25 per credit); out-of-state ($728.25 per credit)

Old Dominion University

Master of Science in Education program in school counseling offered by Old Dominion University meets the school counseling licensing requirements in Virginia. It prepares graduates to practice as professional school counselors in K-12 educational settings. Students in this program can expect to receive training on the American School Counselor Association National Model through experiential and didactic instruction. Graduates from this concentration learn to lead effectively, think systemically, and collaborate with other stakeholder groups and professionals in schools and communities.

This 60-credit program includes courses in structured counseling groups; professional issues in school counseling K-12; school culture, learning, and classroom management; counseling children and adolescents in school settings; and school counseling program development K-12. All students complete 100 hours of practicum and 600 hours of internship.

Notably, school counseling students who complete electives in addictions, family dynamics, and diagnosis can also meet the educational requirements for both the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and the Licensed School Counselor (LSC) credentials.

  • Location: Norfolk, VA
  • Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC); Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP); Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
  • Expected Time to Completion: Two to three years
  • Estimated Tuition: Resident ($599 per credit); non-resident ($1,439 per credit)

What Do High School or College Prep Counselors Do?

No matter what grade they are working with, school counselors are essential. At all grade levels, school counselors are expected to help students develop the academic and social skills that lead to success in school and in their career path. That could mean helping students explore possible careers by connecting students to exploratory programs or internships. High school counselors also help students choose an educational program that will lead to a career.

A prospective high school counselor should have a strong desire to interact directly with students. Because of the nature of a school’s learning environment, a school counselor will work directly with administrators and with parents, and will sometimes serve as a bridge between the two, to help parents understand the school’s policies and positions and to help the administrators understand parental concerns. A counselor should have some natural empathy, good interpersonal communication and listening skills, and be committed to upholding societal and the profession’s ethical standards.

High school counselors can work in public schools, in defined low-income areas (which also may qualify the counselor for income-based loan forgiveness programs or public service loan-forgiveness programs), private schools, youth program agencies, or career counseling centers.

According to the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), appropriate activities for a high school counselor include:

  • Orientation and advising for new students
  • Interpreting test results
  • Disciplinary counseling
  • Short-term and small-group counseling for students
  • Consulting with teachers on effective classroom management
  • Identifying student issues, needs, and problems
  • Advocating for students as needed

At the high school level, counselors help all students develop interpersonal skills, manage emotions, and plan for options out of high school, such as higher education, the military, or joining the workforce. The ASCA says researchers found graduating 12th graders attending schools with lower student-to-school-counselor ratios were more engaged in higher-quality college counseling learning activities, which helped students make more informed college decisions.

According to research by the National Association for College Admission Counseling and the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), the two groups recommend a student-to-counselor ratio of 250 to 1. According to data from the U.S. Department of Education National Center for Education Statistics, the 2021–2022 national student-to-school-counselor ratio was 408:1.

How Much Do High School Counselors Make?

These numbers represent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics from May 2022—the latest data available as of August 2023.

Educational, guidance, and career counselors and advisors in the U.S.

United States
Number employed in the U.S.308,000
Average Annual Salary$64,200
10th Percentile$38,280
25th Percentile$47,380
50th Percentile (Median)$60,140
75th Percentile$76,590
90th Percentile$98,530

High School Counselor – College Prep Counselor Professional Associations & Resources

  • American School Counselors Association (ASCA)
  • National Career Development Association (NCDA)
  • National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC)
  • American Counseling Association (ACA)
  • Association for Child and Adolescent Counseling (ACAC)
  • National Education Association (NEA)
  • International School Counseling Association (ISCA)
  • American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA)
  • American College Counseling Association (ACCA)
  • Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development (AMCD)
Vanessa Salvia

Vanessa Salvia

Writer

Vanessa Salvia is an Oregon-based freelance writer and editor with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry. As fun as rigorous studies in math and science were, Vanessa took an independent path and developed a prolific career covering lifestyle and healthcare topics for magazines and newspapers, important industries such as concrete construction and building waterproofing, and even hard science. You can get in touch at Sage Media and Marketing.