How to become a school counselor

1. 1Earn a bachelor's degree

   Time: 4 yearsCost: Varies by collegeSources 1

   Graduate programs accept many majors. Psychology, education, sociology and human development are common because they cover child development, statistics and research methods that show up again in a counseling program. Work with young people while in college, for example tutoring, coaching, mentoring or camp jobs, since admissions committees look for it. Some employers prefer or require classroom teaching experience, so a teaching degree can open more doors.

2. 2Complete a master's in school counseling

   Time: 2-3 yearsCost: $32,980-$57,640 tuition at one public universitySources 2, 4

   Look for a program accredited by CACREP. Its 2024 standards require at least 60 semester credit hours for entry-level counseling degrees. Courses cover counseling theories, group counseling, human development, career development, assessment, ethics and how to run a school counseling program. Many programs offer evening classes for working teachers, and some finish a comprehensive exam before graduation.

3. 3Finish the practicum and internship in a school

   Time: 2-3 semesters within the degreeCost: Included in tuitionSources 2

   CACREP programs require a practicum of at least 100 hours, including 40 hours of direct service with students, followed by a 600-hour internship. School counseling students complete these hours in K-12 schools under a credentialed school counselor. The internship is unpaid in most cases and can take most of a school week, so plan finances and work hours around it.

4. 4Pass your state's required test

   Time: 1-2 months of preparationCost: $130 for Praxis 5422Sources 3, 1

   Many states use the ETS Praxis School Counselor (5422) exam: 120 selected-response questions in 120 minutes, taken at a test center or at home, aligned with ASCA standards. Other states give their own exam. Check your state education agency for the test it requires and the passing score before you register.

5. 5Apply for your state school counselor credential

   Time: 1-3 monthsCost: State fees varySources 1, 6

   Apply through your state's education department. Most states require the master's degree, a recommendation from your program, a passing test score and a criminal background check with fingerprints. Some employers also prefer or require classroom teaching experience or a teaching license. Look up exact rules through the CareerOneStop License Finder or your state's educator certification office.

6. 6Renew and consider advanced certification

   Time: OngoingCost: NBPTS $475 per componentSources 7, 8

   States require renewal every few years, usually with professional development hours or graduate credit. After a few years in schools, some counselors pursue National Board Certification in School Counseling from NBPTS, which has four components at $475 each plus a $75 yearly registration fee, or NBCC's National Certified School Counselor credential.

Programs, tuition and graduates’ earnings

U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard (most recent cohorts, released 2026-10-15). Scorecard groups programs by 4-digit field, so a row can include related programs. Tuition is the median published undergraduate tuition and fees of the colleges offering the program (shown only for undergraduate credentials); debt is the median of programs’ median federal loan debt at completion; earnings are the national median for the field and credential four years after completion.

Requirements differ by state. Check your state’s rules in the CareerOneStop License Finder (U.S. Department of Labor) before you enroll.

Active listening

Students often share the real problem only after the counselor has heard them out without rushing to advice.

Crisis judgment

When a student talks about self-harm or abuse, the counselor must assess risk quickly and follow legal reporting steps the same day.

Organization

Tracking hundreds of students' credits, deadlines and follow-ups is impossible without systems.

Knowledge of college and career options

Good advice depends on knowing admission rules, financial aid, apprenticeships and two-year programs, which change every year.

Working with families and staff

Most plans for a struggling student only work if parents, teachers and administrators agree on them.

O*NET 31.0 rates these skills as most important for the occupation: active listening, speaking, reading comprehension, writing, critical thinking.

Training cost

$33.1K–$57.8K

Before financial aid

Time

6-7 years

Typical path

Median pay

$64,330

All US jobs: $50,980

Payback once qualified

2.5–4.3 yrs

Pay above the all-jobs median vs. cost

Graduate program only, based on one public university's posted 2026-27 rates. Low: 60 credit hours x Missouri State University's Missouri-resident graduate tuition and fees ($4,947 per 9 credit hours) = $32,980, plus the Praxis School Counselor fee of $130. High: 60 credit hours at its nonresident rate ($8,646 per 9 credit hours) = $57,640, plus $130. Program fees and differential course tuition can add more. Not included: the bachelor's degree, state credential and background check fees, and living costs. Median federal loan debt for school counseling master's graduates is $42,261 (College Scorecard).

Rough guide only: ignores taxes, aid, interest and earnings given up during training. How we calculate it.

• School psychologist$95,990 median

  Requires a specialist-level (Ed.S.) or doctoral program in school psychology with an internship and a separate state credential.

• School principal or district counseling director$105,870 median

  Usually requires an education leadership degree or certificate, school administrator certification and several years of experience in schools.

• Licensed professional counselor$59,350 median

  Counselors with a CACREP degree can pursue state counseling licensure, which typically adds a licensing exam and supervised postgraduate clinical hours.

• Counseling psychologist$100,580 median

  A doctorate in counseling psychology, a predoctoral internship and a state psychology license lead to independent therapy practice.