how to become a school counselor without a degree

State Requirements & Programs. A bachelor's degree in counseling, psychology, education, or sociology is the first step to becoming a school counselor. CL-606C 12/15 Page 2 of 4National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Certification: Individuals holding certification issued by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards in the area of Early Childhood to Young Adulthood School Counseling may apply directly to the commission for the clear credential. A candidate has a current, comparable license (teacher, or administrator) from a state with which Vermont has signed the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement provided the candidate can demonstrate at least 3 years of successful work in a school within the past 7 years in the licensure endorsement or subject area. (2) The coursework, professional development, or continuing education unit required by F(1) of this regulation shall address: (a) the need for intervention or referral in response to indicators of mental illness and behavioral distress, including, but not limited to: (i) depression,(ii) trauma,(iii) violence,(iv) youth suicideand (v) substance abuse. : Yes, required for certificationCertification: (1) Elementary - grades K-6; or (2) Secondary - grades 7-12Reciprocity: No, but Pennsylvania has signed an Interstate Agreement with 45 other states/jurisdictions based upon the mutually agreed-upon conditions of that contract. School counselors work closely with students at educational institutions to help them develop good behavioral and social skills. ARIZONA(updated 1/21)Educational Requirements: Masters degree or more advanced degree from an accredited institution and completion of a graduate program in guidance and counseling; OR masters degree from an accredited institution in a related field (counseling, social work, psychology); OR a valid license as an associate counselor, or master or clinical social worker, or marriage and family therapist issued by the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners; OR masters degree from an accredited institution in academic advising. To become a rehabilitation counselor, one needs a master's degree in rehabilitation counseling or a related field (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022c). By Zippia Team - Nov. 14, 2022 To become a counselor without a degree, follow these steps: Figure out which type of counseling that doesn't require a degree you want to pursue; these include peer counselors, life skills counselors, and drug and alcohol counselors : NoCertification: Pre-K 12Reciprocity: Yes. Applicants who do not meet the experience requirement may be issued a Provisional Certificate.Experience Requirements:NoneExamination:Praxis II Professional School Counselor Examination (5421) score of 156.Institution Recommendation Required? After earning a bachelor's degree, prospective counselors can advance into a master's program. Those who complete a masters degree or higher in an approved out-of-state school counselor education program or who complete a bachelors degree and hold an out-of-state bachelor's degree and hold a valid out-of-state school counselor certificate and have successfully served five out of the immediately preceding seven years as a school counselor can apply to be evaluated for a school counselor credential.Background Check: YesRenewal RequirementsMichigan Department of Education/school counselingMichigan Department of Education/out-of-state applicants, MINNESOTA(updated 11/18)Educational Requirements:(Option 1) Hold a master's degree or the equivalent from a college or university that is regionally accredited and show verification of completing a Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board preparation program leading to the licensure of school counselors or (Option 2) Provide evidence of having completed a preparation program in school counseling accredited by CACREP;Required Coursework:See link at bottomExperience Requirements: 700 hours experience in CACREP programs (100 hours practicum and 600 hours internship) and 700 hours total in non-CACREP programs.Examination: NoneInstitution Recommendation Required? It is valid for regular or substitute school counseling at any level.Background Check: Yes, fingerprintsOregon Department of Education/school counselingPENNSYLVANIAEducational Requirements: Completion of an approved program in school counseling;Required Coursework: Supervised counseling practicum experiences, prior to and separate from the field experience, providing direct service with individuals and groups (60 clock hours)Experience Requirements:A minimum of an additional 300 clock hours of internship/supervised field experiences to include instructional experience and a minimum of 70 hours (elementary) OR 75 hours (secondary) of direct service with individual and group clients.Examination: Professional School Counseling PraxisInstitution Recommendation Required? What does a counsellor do? Most public school systems require advanced-degree courses that include the following topics: ALABAMA(updated 11/18)Educational Requirements: Satisfactory completion of a state-approved program with a minimum GPA of 3.25 on all courses in the Alabama State Board of Education approved school counseling program.Required Coursework:A practicum of at least 100 clock hours in a school-based setting, including a minimum of 40 clock hours of supervised, direct service work in individual and group counseling with early childhood/elementary and secondary school students.Experience Requirement:(1) A supervised elementary and secondary school-based internship (P-12) of at least 600 clock hours, begun subsequent to the completion of the practicum, including a minimum of 240 clock hours in direct service work with early childhood/elementary and secondary school students. (1) Praxis I (PPST): Reading: 172, Writing: 171, Mathematics: 173; AND (2) Praxis II (PLT): Principles of Learning & Teaching: K-6: 163 or 7-12: 157; AND (3) Praxis II: School Counseling and Guidance: 580.Institution Recommendation Required? : NoCertification: pre K-12Reciprocity: YesBackground Check: Yes. The interstate agreement does not exempt candidates from degree, testing and/or experiential requirements applicable to the requested certification endorsement. This is usually accomplished from having been a certified school counselor in another state, or from taking classes, including internship classes, through a NH approved program with a view towards qualifying for alternative certification.Examination: NoneInstitution Recommendation Required? Must be a U.S. citizen. A bachelor's degree or higher, except in professional education, from a regionallyaccredited college or university2. Most school counselor positions require a master's degree, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). : NoCertification: K-12Reciprocity: YesBackground Check: NoMississippi Department of EducationMISSOURI(updated 11/18)Educational Requirements: (Option 1) Completion of a masters degree with a major emphasis in school counseling from a college or university meeting approval of the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Candidates can begin the process by earning a bachelor's degree in counseling or psychology. : NoCertification: PreK-12Reciprocity: YesBackground Check: NoVirginia Department of EducationWASHINGTON (updated 1/21)Educational Requirements:Master's degree in counseling. In the case of certification through reciprocal agreement, this is done through a review of transcripts, curriculum vitae, and experience descriptions. While most students who earn a counseling degree at the associate level plan to earn a bachelor's or graduate degree, you can use a counseling associate degree to work as a counselor's assistant, caseworker, mental health technician, or other entry-level position. Applicants who have not completed an approved program can be certified by utilizing the Credential Review Pathway, which allows eligible individuals to pursue Rhode Island certification by following a differentiated program of study (determined by a consortium institution or RIDE). School Counselor, School Librarian, Educational Diagnostician and Reading Specialist Certificate Requirements Official transcripts requiredCertification: K-12Reciprocity:Yes, A valid school counselor certificate from another state may substitute for all education and experience requirements.Background Check: Valid Class 1 or Class 2 Fingerprint Clearance Card issued by Arizona Department of Public Education. Applicants applying for instructional certification must pass an examination in physiology and hygiene, including the effects of narcotics and alcohol.New Jersey Department of EducationNEW MEXICO(updated 1/22)Educational Requirements: (Option 1) A national certified school counselor credential issued by the national board for certified counselors; or (Option 2) A licensed professional mental health counselor (LPC) or licensed professional clinical mental health counselor (LPCC) credential issued by the New Mexico counseling and therapy practice board and a minimum of six semester hours of graduate credit in school counseling coursework; (Option 3) A masters degree from a regionally accredited college or university; the masters degree requirement shall be satisfied by meeting the requirements:(1) masters degree in school counseling from a regionally accredited college or university or(2) masters degree in a discipline other than school counseling and 36-42 graduate hours in school counseling, (which may be completed as a part of the masters degree program or in addition to the masters).Experience Requirements: Option 1 and 2: None; Option 3: 300 hour practicum or internship in a school setting.Institution Recommendation Required? The whole alternative process usually takes one year.Experience Requirements: (Options 1) Qualify for state certification as a school counselor, candidates must have completed a 600-hour internship in a general school setting under the direct supervision of a state certified school counselor with at least 2 years experience as a state certified school counselor in NH public schools; or (Option 2) Candidates for alternative certification must have worked for three months, full time, as a school counselor before beginning the alternative certification process. 5. : Yes, must recommend for certificationCertification: K12Reciprocity: YesBackground Check: YesGeorgia Department of Education/school counselingHAWAII(updated 1/21)Educational Requirements: Completion of a masters degree in School Counseling and Guidance from a regionally accredited college or University. : NoCertification: K-12Reciprocity: The Office of Educator Licensure encourages educators who are currently licensed in other states or U.S. territories to apply for reciprocal licensure in Nevada. CPR and suicide training also required for initial license.Examination: Yes, for initial licenseInstitution Recommendation Required? : (Option 1) - Yes, required for certification; (Option 2 and 3) - NoCertification: prek-12Reciprocity: Yes This pathway allows an educator who holds a valid certificate in a state that has a reciprocity agreement with New York State to obtain a comparable New York State certificate. The candidate must either (1) have completed an approved preparation program OR (2) possess a valid, advanced-level certificate in the other jurisdiction and three years of service. An evaluation for a school counselor credential may lead to an applicant initially being recommended for a preliminary school counselor credential and subsequently a school counselor license. Candidates seeking to be state certified school counselors must still have been trained in all three grade levels in order to receive certification to work in NH public schools.Background Check: Criminal background check is required before any certification process is begun. The ASCA breaks down school counseling into three intersection areas: Academic, Personal-Social, and Career Post-Secondary (ie. : NoCertification: K-12Reciprocity: Yes, Applicants with certification in other states can satisfy the teaching experience requirement with 3 years of experience as a guidance counselor, a practicum experience at either the secondary or elementary level for one year is needed before employment.Background Check: Yes, at the local school district level.Kentucky Department of EducationLOUISIANAEducational Requirements: Hold a masters degree in guidance and counseling from a regionally accredited institution or a masters degree with the equivalent hours and courses in school counseling.Required Coursework:The graduate training must include a total of 24 semester hours in:(1) Principles and Administration of School Counseling Programs; (2)Career and Lifestyle Development; (3) Individual Appraisal; (4) Counseling Theory and Practice; (5) Group Processes; (6) Human Growth and Development; (7) Social and Cultural Foundations in Counseling .Experience Requirements:(1) Must hold or be eligible to hold a valid LA teaching certificate except for ancillary counselor certification and (2) Must have 3 credits in a supervised practicum in a school setting.Examination: (1) NTE Core Battery (Communication: 645, General Knowledge: 644, and Professional Knowledge: 645); AND (2) NTE Specialty Area Exam in school counseling.Institution Recommendation Required? However, some conditional, provisional, residency, temporaryor other license types will require additional documentation to determine eligibility. Individuals may apply by submitting the following items by mail:1. To enroll in a bachelor's program, applicants generally need to submit transcripts demonstrating a high school diploma and SAT or ACT scores. Transcripts, copies of state licensesand original documentation of teaching experience will be reviewed to determine eligibility for reciprocity.Background Check: Yes at the point of hire. In addition to the coursework listed above, LPC licensure in North Carolina also requires the completion of a one-semester practicum and a one-semester internship. Must either possess a bachelors degree in education from a state-approved teacher preparation program or complete a curriculum in teaching methods and practices, classroom management and the psychology of the exceptional child, as specified by the recommending certification officer of a state-approved program. The typical process to become a school counselor is to: Earn a master's degree in school counseling or a related degree such as a master's in mental health counseling with an emphasis in school counseling that meets licensure requirements. : NoCertification: K-12Examination: New Mexico Content Knowledge Assessment for School CounselorReciprocity: No; however, if you obtain a masters degree in a school outside of NM that meets the BOE standards, a license can be grantedBackground Check: YesNew Mexico Public Education DepartmentNEW YORKEducational Requirements: (Option 1) Completion of a NY registered school counseling program OR(Option 2) Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education or from an institution authorized by NY Department of Education; AND At least 30 semester hours of approved graduate study in the field of school counseling, OR (Option 3) Be Nationally certified as a school counselor by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS).Required Coursework: (Option 1): None; (Option 2 and Option 3) - Completion of a Child Abuse Identification and a school violence prevention and intervention Workshop.Experience Requirements: (Option 1 and Option 3) - None; (Option 2) - Supervised practice in school counseling. Consider what type of school counselor you wish to be. Fingerprint Clearance.http://eservices.nysed.gov/teach/certhelp/CertRequirementHelp.do#cfocusNORTH CAROLINA(updated 1/21)Educational Requirements: Completion of an approved program in school counseling at the master's level or above. Teaching assistant. Learn what's required for five counselor roles. The national average salary for a school guidance counselor is $48,816 per year, with a salary range between $16,000 per year and $98,000 per year. To practice as a counselor or therapist, professionals must earn a license in their area of practice.