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K-12
School Counselor
Four hundred students and a schedule that keeps getting hijacked.
Typical pay
$52k-$95k
How you get in
Master's in school counseling plus state license
Outlook
Growing as districts expand mental health support
School counselors support students academically, socially and with post-secondary planning. Caseloads are frequently double what is recommended, and administrative duties eat the counseling time.
A day in the life
- 7:30aCheck in with students flagged by teachers
- 8:30aSchedule changes and credit checks
- 10:00aSmall-group session on anxiety
- 12:00pLunch duty or a crisis, often both
- 1:00pCollege application and financial aid help
- 3:30pDocumentation, then a parent meeting
How to get in
Master's in school counseling
Duration
2-3 years after a bachelor's
Cost
$20,000-$70,000
Credential
State school counselor license or certification
- Hold a bachelor's in any field, psychology or education helps
- Complete a CACREP-accredited school counseling master's
- Finish the practicum and internship hours in schools
- Pass your state's certification exam
Teacher into counseling
Duration
2-3 years part-time
Cost
$20,000-$60,000
Credential
Master's plus counselor license
- Teach first — some states require classroom experience
- Complete the master's part-time, often district-subsidized
- Do the internship in your own or a nearby district
- Transition with credibility and relationships already built
Related master's plus certification
Duration
2-4 years
Cost
$25,000-$80,000
Credential
Counseling master's plus school certification
- Complete a clinical mental health counseling master's
- Add the school counseling certification coursework your state requires
- Pass the certification exam
- Keeps the clinical license option open alongside school work
What people love
- · Meaningful impact at a formative moment
- · School calendar and benefits
- · Master's-level role with a clear license
- · Wide range of student needs keeps it varied
What wears people down
- · Caseloads far above the recommended 250:1
- · Non-counseling duties consume the day
- · Emotionally heavy, including crisis work
- · Master's required for modest pay