The job of school counselor has taken on much greater signifance of the past three decades. Today, school counselors often have much more to contend with than a child who is struggling with homework. Today, counselors are often asked to be an advocate, defender, psychologist, and more for their students. Here are school counselor requirements by state according to the American School Counselor Association (ASCA).
ALABAMA
Satisfactory completion of a state-approved program with a minimum GPA of 3.25 on all courses in the school counseling program.
ALASKA
A bachelor’s degree or higher and additional education and counseling programs outlined by the state board.
ARIZONA
Master’s degree from an accredited institution and graduate program in counseling.
ARKANSAS
Master's degree in school counseling.
CALIFORNIA
Master's degree in school counseling.
COLORADO
Master's degree or higher degree in school counseling.
CONNECTICUT
Master’s degree and a minimum of 30 semester hours of credit in a planned program in school counseling services.
DELAWARE
Master’s degree from a regionally accredited college in an approved program.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
A master's degree in school counseling.
FLORIDA
A master's or higher degree with a graduate major in guidance and counseling.
GEORGIA
Completion of a state-approved certification preparation program in school counseling at the master’s degree level or higher.
HAWAII
Completion of a master’s degree in School Counseling.
IDAHO
Hold a master’s degree and provide verification of completion of an approved program of graduate study in counseling.
ILLINOIS
A master’s degree awarded by a regionally accredited institution of higher education in school counseling.
INDIANA
A master’s degree in school counseling.
IOWA
Master’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education.
KANSAS
Master’s degree with a 3.25 cumulative GPA in graduate coursework.
KENTUCKY
Master’s degree in guidance counseling.
LOUISIANA
A master’s degree in guidance and counseling.
MAINE
A master’s or a doctorate degree.
MARYLAND
A master's degree in school counseling.
MASSACHUSETTS
Master’s degree with a major in counseling.
MICHIGAN
School Counselor Endorsement (completion of a minimum of 30 semester credit hours in a school counselor education program) issued on a standard/professional teaching certificate.
MINNESOTA
A master's degree or the equivalent.
MISSISSIPPI
Hold standard teaching license and a master’s degree in counseling.
MISSOURI
A master’s degree with a major emphasis in school counseling.
MONTANA
Completion of a CACREP-accredited school counselor program.
NEBRASKA
Master's degree in school counseling.
NEVADA
A master’s or more advanced degree in school counseling.
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Have completed a state board of education approved school counseling collegiate program at the master’s degree level or higher.
NEW JERSEY
A master’s or higher degree.
NEW MEXICO
A national certified school counselor credential issued by the national board for certified counselors.
NEW YORK
Completion of a NY registered school counseling program.
NORTH CAROLINA
Completion of an approved program in school counseling at the master's level or above.
NORTH DAKOTA
A master’s degree in counseling, or a related human service field.
OHIO
Master’s degree from an approved program.
OKLAHOMA
Master’s degree in school counseling program.
OREGON
A master’s or higher degree in counseling.
PENNSYLVANIA
Completion of an approved program in school counseling.
RHODE ISLAND
Advanced degree from a regionally accredited institution.
SOUTH CAROLINA
Master’s degree and completion of an advanced program approved by the State Board of Education for the preparation of school counselors.
SOUTH DAKOTA
Complete a master's degree in school guidance or counseling.
TENNESSEE
A graduate degree with an approved preparation program in school counseling.
TEXAS
Master’s degree and complete school counselor preparation program.
UTAH
Completion of an accredited counselor education program.
VERMONT
Master’s degree in school counseling.
VIRGINIA
A master's degree from an approved counselor education program.
WASHINGTON
Master's degree in counseling.
WEST VIRGINIA
Master's degree and completion of an accredited program for counselors.
WISCONSIN
A master's degree from an approved school counseling program.
WYOMING
Master’s degree with a major in school counseling.
Breakdown
Being a school counselor today often means making a difference in the life of a child. That has also resulted in increasing the requirements to become a counselor in most states, because for our children, nothing less than the best will do.