By Dennis Frank, Ph.D.
School counselors play an essential role in helping students navigate the academic, personal, and social challenges they face throughout their school years. In today’s educational environments, counselors are not only advisors, they are advocates, mentors, and leaders who help students build the skills needed for success in school and beyond.
For individuals who feel called to support young people and strengthen school communities, school counseling can be a meaningful and rewarding profession.
Below are the key steps to becoming a school counselor.
Step 1: Earn a Bachelor’s Degree
The first step toward becoming a school counselor is completing a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
While students can come from many academic backgrounds, common undergraduate majors include psychology, education, social work, or human development. These fields provide a helpful foundation in understanding how people learn, grow, and interact.
What matters most is developing strong communication skills and a genuine commitment to supporting students.
Step 2: Complete a Master’s Degree in School Counseling
School counselors typically complete a master’s degree in school counseling or a closely related field.
Graduate programs provide the professional preparation needed to work effectively with students in K–12 educational settings. Coursework typically includes areas such as:
- Counseling theories and techniques
- Human development across the lifespan
- Assessment and evaluation
- Crisis intervention
- College and career readiness
- Ethical and culturally responsive counseling
Graduate education is where future counselors begin to connect theory with real-world practice. They learn not only how to counsel students, but how to advocate for them and create programs that support success across an entire school.
Step 3: Complete Practicum and Internship Experiences
Hands-on experience is a vital part of counselor preparation.
Most school counseling programs include practicum and internship placements in K–12 school settings, where graduate students work under the supervision of experienced counselors.
During these placements, students gain experience in:
- Individual and group counseling
- Classroom guidance lessons
- Academic planning
- Crisis response
- College and career advising
These experiences help future counselors understand the real dynamics of schools and build the confidence needed to support students effectively.
Step 4: Apply for State School Counselor Certification
School counselors are certified in each state. In Michigan, for example, school counselors are certified through the Michigan Department of Education. Typically, this involves completing an approved graduate program and fulfilling the state’s supervised experience requirements. Since certification rules can change, aspiring counselors should check their individual state requirements for the most up-to-date information.
What Makes a Great School Counselor?
Successful school counselors share several common qualities:
- A genuine desire to support young people
- Strong listening and communication skills
- A commitment to equity and student advocacy
- The ability to collaborate with educators and families
In my experience preparing future counselors, the most effective professionals are those who combine compassion with leadership. They care deeply about students while also working to improve the systems that shape student success.
Why School Counseling Matters
Schools today face increasing challenges related to student well-being, mental health, and postsecondary planning. School counselors help students navigate these challenges while ensuring they remain connected to their academic goals and future opportunities.
When students feel supported, they are more likely to succeed academically, develop confidence, and pursue meaningful paths after graduation.
For individuals who want to make a lasting impact in the lives of young people, school counseling offers a powerful opportunity to serve students and strengthen communities.
About the Author
Dennis Frank, Ph.D., is the founding director of the online Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Master of Arts in School Counseling programs at The University of Olivet in Michigan. A counselor educator and licensed professional counselor with more than 20 years of experience, he has trained more than 1,000 school and clinical mental health counselors and frequently presents on counseling ethics, multicultural counseling, and LGBTQ+ client competence. He is a certified online instructor.