Now, more than ever, students need caring and compassionate teachers and other professionals to help them succeed and thrive. That’s why school counselors are in such high demand.
School counselors play an instrumental role in shaping the educational experience for elementary, middle and high school students. They’re also vital resources for children and teens during some of the most formative times of their lives — helping them on their journey toward adulthood.
As you contemplate becoming a school counselor, you probably have a lot of questions: Is becoming a school counselor right for me? Can you be a school counselor with a bachelor’s degree? What steps do I need to take to become a school counselor?
In this blog, you’ll learn how to become a school counselor and the skills needed to succeed in the field. Why are school counselors so important in today’s educational environments? Twilya Toombs, a Troy University graduate and professional school counselor, shares her thoughts on that and more.
First, What Do School Counselors Do?
What is a school counselor and what do they do on a daily basis? A school counselor is an educator who helps students navigate academic, social and emotional challenges. They provide guidance on issues such as academic performance, career exploration, personal development, and college or postsecondary planning.
School counselors also work with students individually or in groups to address mental health concerns, relationship issues and other personal struggles. Additionally, they collaborate with teachers, parents, and administrators to create supportive environments that foster student success.
For Toombs, a school counselor with the Bartow County School System in Georgia, many days begin with 504 plan annual reviews, which are meetings to ensure students with disabilities receive appropriate accommodations to support their learning. These reviews are often followed by drop-ins by parents and students on topics ranging from academic concerns to personal issues requiring additional support or guidance.
“They could be asking about classes and grades, attendance concerns, SAT and ACT preparation, social-emotional challenges, recommendation letters, dual enrollment questions and much more,” she explains.
Becoming a school counselor like Toombs, a 2011 TROY graduate, means you might:
- Provide academic support to students, whether it’s advice on courses to take, study habits or tips to keep them on track for graduation
- Offer a safe and comforting environment for students to discuss personal and family challenges, mental health struggles or concerns regarding teachers, staff or other students
- Assist with career exploration, college applications and testing requirements
- Work with school staff and parents to support students and enhance their overall well-being
- Connect students to resources and services if they face a crisis or emergency situation
- Lead teacher and staff workshops on topics such as student-teacher relationships, stress management and conflict resolution
Because school counselors have a broad range of responsibilities, you need to have the tools, techniques and traits to succeed.
What Skills Does a Great School Counselor Possess?
Much like other educational professionals, school counselors are required to have a wide skill set to support students. Invaluable school counselor skills include:
- Crisis management
- Empathy
- Leadership
- Listening and observation
- Organization
- Problem solving
- Communication
- Flexibility
While these skills are important, you’ll also need to complete practicum, internships, and pursue rigorous training and school counselor certifications before you can join this rewarding profession.
What Degree Do You Need to be a School Counselor?
There are a number of steps to take when considering how to become a school counselor. At TROY, we get this question a lot: Can you be a school counselor with a bachelor’s degree? The short answer is no. Over the course of six to eight years, you’ll need to:
- Obtain a bachelor’s degree in education, psychology, social work or another related field
- Pursue a master’s in school counseling degree from an accredited institution like TROY
- Take on an Ed.S. in school counseling program if you’re considering administrative and leadership positions. At TROY, our Ed.S. in school counseling is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation Programs and provides you with additional expertise in academic, career and personal-social development of students.
Toombs says she loved the flexibility of TROY’s school counseling degree.
“I liked that TROY had classes that only met once a week as well as classes on Saturdays and Sundays,” she says. “The flexibility of the program was very convenient for me.”
What Courses Will Help Me Learn How to Become a School Counselor?
As you’re pursuing your school counselor requirements, you’ll take a number of classes that will set you up for success in elementary, middle and high schools. You’ll take coursework in:
- Assessment methods
- Behavior interventions
- Child development
- Classroom management
- Counseling techniques and supervision
- Crisis response management
- Ethical considerations
- Group leadership
- Legal issues and ethics in education
- Psychology
- Theories and Techniques in Counseling
By developing your knowledge, skills and expertise, you’ll be empowered to help students achieve their goals, overcome obstacles and prepare for academic — and ultimately career — success.
What Additional Skills Do I Need to Become a School Counselor?
Gaining hands-on experience in the field is crucial to your success as a school counselor. Toombs said these efforts can often be overlooked while you’re pursuing your other school counselor requirements.
“Take advantage of networking opportunities with faculty and professionals in the field. Building these connections can open doors,” she says. “You should also volunteer with focus groups and boards.”
At TROY, you can further grow your school counselor skills through:
- Internships in local schools, community centers and other nonprofit organizations, completing at least 18 hours of coursework at the campus where your internship or practicum is supervised
- A field project where you’ll study a unique problem within the field, write a report and present your findings to an advisory committee
- Volunteer opportunities and support roles with after-school programs, summer camps, youth programs and other opportunities to work with students
- Networking opportunities with professional organizations such as the American School Counselor Association and state organizations where you’ll connect with other professionals in the field
These experiences will put your learning into action and strengthen your resume as you strive to land that ever-important first school counseling job.
What School Counselor Certifications and Licenses Do I Need?
Now that you have answers to questions such as “What degree do you need to be a school counselor?” know that you’ll also need to complete a few additional steps to qualify to become a school counselor. While requirements may vary from state to state, Alabama requires you to:
- Pass the Praxis School Counseling Exam
- Complete a background check
- Apply for state licensure, which includes providing your official transcripts and proof of degrees and internship experiences
Are School Counselors in Demand?
So how in demand are school counselors? According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of school and career counselors and advisors is projected to grow 4% through 2033, about as fast as the average for all occupations. The BLS estimates about 29,100 openings are projected each year, on average.
Being a school counselor, Toombs says, is incredibly rewarding, particularly “witnessing students grow and overcome challenges”
“Being able to support them through difficult times and celebrate their achievements is fulfilling,” she says. “Helping them discover their strengths and making informed decisions about their future is rewarding — all the while building meaningful connections and making a positive impact in their lives.”
What are Continued Education Requirements?
Your education doesn’t stop once you’ve gone from learning how to become a school counselor to securing your first job. You’ll need to complete professional development opportunities to stay up to date on changes in the field, continue to hone your skills and maintain your licensure.
Here are a few ways school counselors continue to grow beyond their degrees:
- Attend statewide and national conferences and workshops
- Pursue certifications in areas such as career counseling, trauma-informed care and more
- Take courses that will help you in the profession, including in areas such as diversity training and mental health
- Network with fellow school counselors to share ideas and build a community of support
Becoming a school counselor requires dedication during your studies and throughout your career. At TROY, you can start on your path to a fulfilling and rewarding career by earning a degree that will give you the tools and techniques to help students thrive.
Learn How to Become a School Counselor at TROY
Whether you’re advancing your career or making a professional pivot, TROY has two programs that will help you learn how to become a school counselor.
- Our master’s degree in school counseling will prepare you to work as a K-12 school counselor.
- Our Ed.S. degree in school counseling will help you build on your graduate degree so you can take on leadership roles or teach at the college level.
Toombs says choosing TROY was the best decision for her career.
“I’m glad I chose TROY for my degree because it offered a supportive community, a cohort of friends, excellent resources and a curriculum that truly prepared me for my career,” she says.
Are You Ready to Become a School Counselor?
If you’re ready to pursue the education you need to become a school counselor, explore the master’s degree or Ed.S. degree in school counseling at TROY.
