School counselors usually work in K-12 schools, helping students cope with academic, social, family, and personal difficulties. In addition to developing general counselling skills, school counselors receive special training to work with children and young people.
While counselors who work with adults may base their practice on a preferred counseling philosophy or methodology, school counselors address specific problems. School counselors often help students with problems related to mood and behavioral issues, substance abuse, cyberbullying, and peer pressure. School counselors need emotional intelligence, a strong sense of ethics and boundaries, and advanced communication skills.
State counseling licensure and counseling jobs typically require at least a master's degree in counseling. This guide explores school counseling careers and master's degrees. The following sections outline common job duties, program rankings and curricula, licensure requirements, and financial aid options for counseling students.
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Most Affordable Online Master's in School Counseling Degrees in 2021
The following list ranks some of the most affordable online school counseling programs. Students researching academic options can use this list to efficiently compare programs. Learners should consider factors including program format and concentration options to choose the educational path that best fits their interests, goals, and needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What is school counseling? | School counselors provide students with emotional and academic support, career and personal guidance, and various types of education. |
| How long does it take to earn a master's in school counseling? | Traditional counseling master's programs take about 21-24 months to finish, but learners who choose accelerated programs may graduate more quickly. |
| Can I earn a master's degree in school counseling online? | Yes, many schools now offer master's degrees entirely online. Additionally, some institutions offer mostly online programs that require at least one brief campus residency. |
| Do you need a master's degree to work in school counseling? | Yes, school counselors typically need a master's degree in school counseling or a closely related field. State boards may stipulate specific coursework requirements. |
What Do School Counselors Do?
School counselors provide therapeutic support to students. These professionals keep records of counseling sessions, research relevant issues and treatments, and provide information and resource referrals to students' families and teachers. School counselors may also coach students in social and academic skills, provide career counseling, and conduct evaluations related to psychological issues and learning disabilities. On occasion, school counselors may resolve peer conflicts and report crises such as parental abuse.
School counselors meet periodically with social workers, faculty, and school administrators to clarify student issues and report progress. Experienced school psychologists, including doctorate-holders, may help design school-wide programs to improve student wellbeing and learning. Experienced school counselors may also train teachers and counseling staff.
Responsibilities and methods vary based on employment context. For example, elementary school counselors use therapeutic techniques designed specifically for children and may communicate frequently with students' families. School counselors at public high schools often provide career counseling, while private schools often hire a dedicated career counselor.
School counselors should demonstrate commitment, personal resilience, and kindness. These counseling professionals must be able to connect with young people and navigate privacy issues and tense situations between families, schools, and students.
Career and Salary Outlook for School Counselors
As student enrollment grows, schools hire more school and career counselors. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects an 8% increase in school and career counselor positions during the 2019-2029 period, more than double the average for all occupations.
According to the BLS, school and career counselors earned a median annual salary at $57,040 in 2019. However, school counselor salaries vary considerably based on education, experience, and employer. Doctorate-holders may become clinical, counseling, and school psychologists who earn an average annual salary of $87,450.
| Bottom 10% | Median Annual Salary | Top 10% |
|---|---|---|
| $34,380 | $57,040 | $96,090 |
Source: BLS
Accreditation for Master's Degrees in School Counseling
Accreditation is a voluntary quality-verification process that helps students safeguard their educational investments. Accredited schools meet the standards set by third-party accrediting agencies, which must hold approval from the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Only students at accredited institutions can receive federal financial aid.
Each of the six regional accrediting organizations evaluates schools within a particular U.S. region. Because regional accreditation requires higher academic standards than national accreditation, learners cannot typically transfer degrees or credits from nationally accredited schools to regionally accredited institutions. Therefore, aspiring Ph.D. students should attend a master's program at a regionally accredited school.
Counseling programs usually hold programmatic accreditation from the Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council or the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs. Students comparing counseling programs can use programmatic accreditation status as an indicator of academic quality.
Licensing for School Counselors
School counselors must hold licensure from their state's school counseling board. Most states require candidates for licensure to have a clean record, a counseling-related master's degree from an accredited school, and at least two years of supervised experience. Candidates may also need to pass a licensure examination or obtain a teaching license.
Required coursework and testing spans foundational topics including human growth and development, counseling theory, individual and group counseling, and testing and appraisal. Many states require candidates for licensure to have a 3.25 minimum GPA.
School counselors in Arizona need at least a master's degree in guidance and counseling. Arizona also requires candidates for school counseling licensure to have completed either a supervised counseling practicum through an accredited school, two years of full-time school counseling experience, or three years of teaching experience.
State requirements vary, so prospective counselors should understand the licensure requirements for their state. The American School Counselor Association provides a detailed list of licensure requirements by state. Many states maintain reciprocity agreements that allow school counselors to transfer their license between states.
Courses in a Master's in School Counseling
School counseling programs typically include core coursework and classes in specialized counseling theory. Core courses often cover general counseling theory, ethics, and practice. Learners in the field typically study educational assessment, human development, and child and adolescent counseling.
Master's students generally complete a supervised practicum or internship experience to fulfill requirements for state licensure. During experiential components, students develop key clinical skills including active listening, assessment, and rapport building. Most graduate-level counseling programs also require a thesis or project, during which students build skills in research, analysis, writing, and presenting.
School counseling is often a concentration within general counseling programs, but some school counseling programs offer specialization options in subfields, such as special education and career counseling. Course requirements vary based on program and specialization. However, the following courses are common to many on-campus and online school counseling programs.
Financial Aid
Graduate student financial aid often comes in the form of loans, grants, scholarships, and fellowships. Students should begin by completing the FAFSA form to determine whether they qualify for federal grants and loans. Private and institutional scholarships may also require students to demonstrate financial need through their FAFSA. Unlike loans, grants and scholarships do not require repayment.
Graduate students may qualify for fellowships, which typically provide tuition remission and a stipend in exchange for fulfilling university teaching or research duties. Master's students can also apply for graduate-level psychology and counseling scholarships, such as those listed below. Organizations typically award fellowships and scholarships based on academic merit. However, some scholarships are reserved for students who demonstrate financial need or belong to an underrepresented group.
Students earning their master's in school counseling online often reduce the financial burden of graduate school by working full time while earning their degree. Online learning can also eliminate costs associated with relocating or commuting, and distance learners may qualify for reduced tuition rates.
Scholarships for School Counseling
Scholarships are ideal funding options since they do not require repayment. Organizations may select scholarship recipients based on financial need, merit, or background. Many scholarships are reserved for students in a specific field or level of study. Below are several scholarships available to learners pursuing a master's in school counseling online.
Beinecke Scholarship ProgramWho Can Apply: This award supports college juniors who demonstrate academic achievement and financial need. Applicants must plan to attend graduate school and must receive a nomination from their undergraduate institution. Candidates must be studying a field in the social sciences, arts, or humanities. The funds are disbursed over the course of the recipient's graduate studies.Amount: $34,000
Ruth G. and Joseph D. Matarazzo ScholarshipWho Can Apply: The American Psychological Association offers this scholarship to graduate students. Candidates must receive a nomination from a psychology department belonging to the Council of Graduate Departments of Psychology.Amount: $3,000
Alpha Kappa Alpha Educational Advancement Foundation Financial Need ScholarshipWho Can Apply: Applicants for this award must be full-time graduate students who have completed significant community service. Candidates need a minimum 2.5 GPA and must submit a resume, three recommendation letters, a financial needs analysis, and a two-page description of a research project or scholarly pursuit.Amount: Varies
Alpha Kappa Alpha Educational Advancement Foundation Merit ScholarshipWho Can Apply: This award supports full-time graduate students who demonstrate community involvement. Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA and must attend an accredited school. Required application materials include letters of recommendation, a description of a scholarly pursuit, and a resume.Amount: Varies
Ohio School Counselor Association Graduate Student ScholarshipWho Can Apply: The association awards two graduate scholarships to OSCA members enrolled in school counselor master's programs in Ohio. Candidates may not be in their first six hours of graduate study or in their final semester. Applicants must submit a one-page essay, a letter of support, and official transcripts.Amount: $1,000
