School Counselor Job Description, Career as a School Counselor, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job
counselors students schools college
Education and Training College plus training
Salary Median—$45,570 per year
Employment Outlook Very good
Definition and Nature of the Work
School counselors help students make decisions that affect their personal and academic development. Sometimes they provide drug- and alcohol-abuse rehabilitation or conflict-resolution sessions.
Often called guidance counselors, they can be found in both public and private schools, working with classroom teachers, school psychologists, school nurses, parents, and community groups. They meet with students individually or in group sessions.
Counselors who work in junior and senior high schools help students choose courses that will affect their later careers. Those who plan to learn trades, for instance, may need technical classes. If students wish to attend college, counselors advise them on both their academic and extracurricular activities. They also provide students with scholarship information, training manuals, and college catalogs.
Counselors in elementary schools work mainly with students who disrupt classrooms or have physical handicaps. They also counsel students who get into trouble in the community.
Education and Training Requirements
All states require school counselors to be certified, but certification standards vary widely and change frequently. Some states also require teaching certification.
Both public and private schools employ counselors to help students make personal and academic decisions and to work with students who are experiencing family and personal problems.
Bachelor's degrees in psychology, education, or the liberal arts are required. Many counselors participate in college-level programs in education or psychology, studying group dynamics, human growth and development, testing, counseling, and statistics.
Getting the Job
Job seekers can apply directly to superintendents of school districts. College placement offices, professional associations and journals, private employment agencies, newspaper classified ads, and job banks on the Internet may offer employment leads. In some areas counselors are assigned to schools when they are certified.
Advancement Possibilities and Employment Outlook
School counselors are at the top of their profession. Some specialize in certain areas of guidance, such as vocational counseling. Others become supervisors or school administrators.
Employment of school counselors is expected to grow faster than the average for all jobs through 2014 because of increasing school enrollments and legislation requiring counselors in elementary schools. The increase in crisis-prevention counseling may also spur employment. However, jobs may be limited in some areas because of funding.
Working Conditions
Full-time school counselors work longer hours than teachers because they often meet with students and parents before and after school. Some counselors work part time or combine counseling with teaching duties. Generally, counselors have their own offices so they can conduct their interviews in private. Counselors must be able to relate well to all kinds of people. Patience, resourcefulness, and stability are important qualities for the job.
Earnings and Benefits
In 2004 the median salary for school counselors was $45,570 per year, with experienced counselors earning more than $72,390 per year. The median salary for elementary and secondary school counselors was $51,160 per year. Benefits include paid holidays and vacations, sick leave, health insurance, and retirement plans.
User Comments
about 1 year ago
Krystal
What are the employment characteristics as a counselor?
9 months ago
can you start working as a school counselor with a BA and in the process work on your Masters??
9 months ago
Ashunda Montgomery
I hold a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and a Master's in Administration and Supervision. I have taught 25 years in middle school. Do I require further education to become a middle school counselor? If so, how much?
over 1 year ago
this website is great it helped me figure out i dont want to be a social worker i really cant go tho college that long im looking into being a school councelor i dont know why but i like helping people phycoligly and helping them be at peace with thimselves i need a job like that with
at the most a four year degree and good pay
9 months ago
Some of you should talk to a counselor. You do not know how to spell nor do you understand what school counselors actually do!!!
Most get paid like a teacher, but work summers for free.
about 2 years ago
Justin
To correct everyone's misconception, nearly all school teachers do not have "summer's off." During the summer months, teachers are unemployed.
Teachers usually sign contracts for the school year only. Since the school year is usually 9 months long, teachers are employed by the school for 9 months of the year and do not have "summers off." My wife and I and many teachers we know take up summer jobs just like college kids to make ends meet.
Teachers in many schools have the option of spreading their school year pay of 9 months over 12 months so they are able to better budget their pay.
If you've read this, please use this information to education everyone you meet whenever you hear the unknowingly ignorant saying "teachers get summers off."
over 1 year ago
The exact requirements to become certified as a school counselor vary depending on the state. In NY and many other states a Masters degree is required. To apply to a Masters program (Graduate School) one must first have a Bachelors degree, which is typically 4 years of college. The specific school counseling masters degree varies by the school's program, but typically takes from 1 to 2 years. So with no college at all, your looking at 5 to 6 years total.
about 1 year ago
rajeswari
I want to tamil medimum school counsellors
Full time hours working school timing
Rajeswari MA Sociology studying
Basic counsellors training, art theraphy, psycodrama therapy , Hiv Idu, Cervical cancer rch
over 1 year ago
Masters degree is needed, typically 1 to 2 years beyond Bachelors, so 5 to 6 years total.
5 months ago
my mom has her master degree in psychology. i was wondering what steps she needs to take to get into school counseling?
7 months ago
E Thompson
@Ashunda...if you want to work in a public school system, you will need to be certified by that state in School Counseling. Min. you would need a Master's in School Counseling... Private schools have their own requirements and vary by school.
7 months ago
i am pursuing my masters in counseeling psychology this my final year do i require futher qulifacition to fit in this job
8 months ago
Eunice Njeri Muturi
I am a counsellor with a bachelors degree in Education- Guidance and counselling and currently pursuing a PhD course in Counseling psychology. I have a teaching a experience of nineteen years in high schools in Kenya and counselling experience of six years plus.I would love to work in your school. what level suits me most and how much would be the pay. I love working with the youth very much.
11 months ago
Tasha
Becoming a school counselor requires 2.5 years of graduate school and 600hrs of internship, over 100 hours of practicum, praxis 1 and 2, certification exams, licensing, and then finding a job! This is not an easy task.....most counseling positions are few and far in between and really do not pay much. Hours are very long and stressful due to huge amounts of paperwork, crisis management, lesson planning, and scheduling. Usually arrive to work before 7am and leave around 5:30pm.
about 1 year ago
nancy
apa
about 1 year ago
Paul
To clarify what Justin said: for comparison purposes if someone makes, say, $50,000 per year then that is their pay for 12 months whether or not they work during the Summer.
over 1 year ago
how many hours one might have to work?
over 1 year ago
laura
how many years do you have to go to collage to be a counselor ??
almost 2 years ago
ashley
What amount of income would i need in the school counseling proffession to relocate?
almost 2 years ago
Mariahq
What exspectations do you have to have in order to do this kind of job?
What colloges can you go to to get a degree?
almost 2 years ago
Nicole
I have an associates in Criminal Justice and a bach. in Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counseling. Would this be enough schooling to get a job as a school counselor?-To have a job doing thing while earing my masters in this field?
over 2 years ago
ALISHA
Im 6 months away from recieving my Masters Degree in School Counseling from Univ. of Colorado @ Colo. Springs. YES counselors get summers off and YES you do need a Masters Degree. Competition is high, benefits are great!
over 2 years ago
Rikki
I am not sure, but if you are truly interested I'm sure you could look it up. I would think they may have at least some work to do over the summer. Maybe even some training. But definitely not as much as it would be during the school year. Although I am not positive.
over 2 years ago
PD
Do school counselors work during the summer or do they have the summer off like teachers?
almost 3 years ago
what is the equivelent from the uk ihave a degree honours and moving to the states
over 3 years ago
It usually requires a masters degree
over 3 years ago
How much years do you have to complete in college to become a counsler.
about 1 year ago
Daria
Teachers work for about 7 hrs a day for 9 mths of the year. School counselors work the same hrs but get paid more for doing less.
On some days, both teachers and counselors may have to stay 1-2 hrs longer after school if they are in charge of an after school activity.
Both teachers and counselors DO get paid during the summer hols despite not working. My dad is a teacher!
2 months ago
I am in school now receiving my degree in behavioral health/human services. I am going to get my masters also in BHHS..Can I be a counselor with this type of degree also in my school i take 6credits towards my couselor license...
2 months ago
I want to be a school counselor theres alot of ways counselors help students with problems