About School Counselors

Interested in becoming a school counselor? They work at the elementary, middle and high school levels and assist students with their academic, social, personal and career needs. Here are a few important things you should know about the role of a school counselor.

Time Frame

In order to become a school counselor, you must have the proper education, skills, knowledge and credentials. You should first pursue a master's degree in counseling from an accredited university. You must also earn your state school-counselor certification by passing the required examination. In addition, many school districts require two to three years of teaching experience. Keep in mind that the requirements to work as a school counselor may vary slightly, depending on the school district and whether it is a public or private institution.

Benefits

There are several benefits associated with being a school counselor. For example, they are required to work approximately 10 months a year and, therefore, have a long summer break. School counselors also receive an extended Christmas holiday vacation, along with a week-long spring break. In addition, school counselors are normally back home by the time their kids arrive, and they also have weekends off. Some additional benefits of being a school counselor include receiving an impressive health insurance policy, paid sick leave and personal days, professional developmental opportunities and a retirement plan.

Misconceptions

Some people believe that you must have a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) credential in order to become a school counselor. However, school counselors need only possess a valid school counselor certification for the particular state where they reside. In fact, you only need your LPC credential if you are going into private practice as a counselor. Also, it has been stated that many school counselors do not actually counsel students but instead do other duties, such as administering placement tests, helping students with their class schedules and completing a large amount of paperwork. Many school counselors do perform these duties but, according to the American School Counselor Association, they also conduct personal and career counseling sessions, assist others with academic problems and ensure all students succeed.

Function

Many school counselors find their job exciting, but their work can also become stressful at times. For example, school counselors are required to counsel students who have special needs, like a student with a learning disability or those with a developmental disorder (such as autism). A school counselor must also have the patience to work with students who have behavioral problems and those dealing with personal problems, such as abuse or pregnancy.

Significance

Without school counselors, students would not receive all of the knowledge and preparation that they need in order to survive in this world. Therefore, a school counselor's job is significant.

Resources

• The American School Counselor Association