School Counselors work with students, teachers, parents, and administrators to help ensure that students' educational, vocational, and emotional needs are being met. School counselors provide crisis intervention services and individual and group counseling to help all students develop their educational, social, career, and personal strengths and become responsible and productive citizens.

School Counselor PDF brochure   

• School counselors are often problem solvers. They are professionally trained educators who help students, parents, and teachers solve problems
• School counselors work with all students, regardless of their abilities or disabilities. They also work closely with principals, teachers, health professionals, and parents

School counselors are required to have a master's degree or equivalent in counseling, educational psychology or counseling psychology in all states. All states also require school counselors to be licensed by the state (requirements vary), but national certification is voluntary. To be nationally certified by the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC), a counselor must have a master's degree in counseling from an accredited institution, have a minimum of two years of supervised professional counseling experience, and have passed the NBCC exam.

School counselors have a strong desire to help students with educational, emotional and vocational needs. They are patient, resourceful and inspire respect, trust and confidence. School counselors possess leadership skills, excellent listening skills and are able to work both independently and as part of a team.

Employment of all counselors is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2005. Advancement opportunities are available in larger schools and school systems as directors or supervisors. Some school psychologists and special education administrators began their careers as counselors.

Aspiring school counselors should take high school classes in English, psychology, biology, and communications. In school, volunteer to be a peer helper to a counselor, tutor a student or be on the student peer mediation team. Work in a recreation program with special needs students, day camp, Special Olympics or other children's activities.

American Counseling Association
5999 Stevenson Avenue
Alexandria, Virginia 22304-3300
(800)-347-6647
(703)-823-9800
(703)-823-0252 Fax

American School Counselor Association
801 North Fairfax Street, Suite 310
Alexandria, VA 22314
(800)-306-4722
(703)-683-2722
(703)-683-1619 Fax
E-mail: asca@erols.com