In America, today’s school counselors do a lot more than their predecessors. It may be hard to tell from the outside looking in, but they help teachers and staff handle various issues, counsel parents, and sometimes play a crucial part in shaping education policy. They are a pivotal part of the student success equation, and they help schools create supportive and safe environments for students.

Want to become a school counselor in the United States, but want to know how? Don’t worry; the Edvocate has your back. Check out this guide that we created explaining how to become a school counselor in Delaware.

Academics: Master’s degree from a regionally accredited college in a sanctioned elementary or secondary school counseling program.

Necessary Courses: A minimum of 39 credits of graduate course work in the areas of introduction to school counseling and theories (3 credits), human behavior and Child development (3 credits), ethical issues in school counseling (3 credits), college and career readiness K-12 (3 credits), assessments and research in school Counseling (3 credits), the counselor as a consultant (3 credits), special education law and the school counselor’s role (3 credits), group counseling (3 credits), counseling skills and strategies (six credits), family counseling (3 credits), principles of a school counseling program (six credits).

Experience Requirements: (1) Experience of 700 hours in an elementary/secondary setting or clinical experience of 350 hours at every level for dual certification.

Assessment: Praxis I: Satisfactory scores on the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators – Reading (156), Writing (162), and Mathematics (150) within the first 2 years of employment unless given a waiver. Praxis II School Counseling: Praxis II 5421 Professional School Counselor.

Is an Institutional Recommendation Needed?: Yes, must recommend for certification.

Licensure: (1) Elementary: grades 1-6, valid in middle-level schools grades 5-8 or (2)

Secondary: grades 9-12 and valid in a middle-level school grades 5-8.

Licensure Reciprocity: Yes

Criminal Background Investigation: Yes

Elementary School Counselor Requirements

Secondary School Counselor Requirements