School counselors play a crucial role in any academic setting, delivering programs that encourage student growth in academics, career development and social and emotional well-being. By helping plan academic paths, develop study skills and address social-emotional challenges, school counselors uplift students to become their best selves, maximizing their educational opportunities and setting them up for success in school and beyond.
According to a study published by Health Affairs Scholar, there is a lack of mental health services in schools across the U.S. Fifty-two percent of public schools struggle to provide counseling services to students effectively. This deficit demands an increase in skilled, well-educated school counselors at every level of education.
This article explores the role school counselors play, the steps to becoming a school counselor, the necessary skills developed in a graduate-level program and how Southeastern Oklahoma State University’s online Master of Education (M.Ed.) in School Counseling program can help you achieve your career goals.
What Does a School Counselor Do?
The job of a school counselor is complex and evolving, with roles shifting based on location and the type of student population the school counselor supports. Their primary responsibilities include:
- Academic support: Aid students in planning their educational path by helping them choose courses and set attainable goals. School counselors also develop strategies for learning and achieving academic success based on individual student needs.
- Career development: Advise students on possible career options and the necessary education or training. School counselors also offer assessments with the goal of building skills that align with students’ career goals.
- Resource connection: Introduce students to external resources and support systems to address their basic needs, including food, healthcare and housing.
- Social-emotional counseling: Help students navigate complex social challenges, address behavior issues and develop conflict resolution skills.
- Student advocacy: Advocate for students when discussing academic paths, such as individual education plan (IEP) or 504 plan meetings.
- Systemic leadership: Lead, advocate and collaborate to create systemic change with school boards at a local or state level, promoting equity, access and student success rates.
How to Become a School Counselor
Becoming a school counselor requires a mix of both academic knowledge and real-world experience. Here are the general steps for obtaining a career in school counseling:
- Earn a bachelor’s degree: Start with a four-year undergraduate degree in a related field, such as education, psychology or another social science. Many aspiring school counselors gain valuable classroom experience during their undergraduate years through teaching positions or educational support roles, building a foundational understanding of school environments and student needs that is invaluable for counseling work.
- Pursue a master’s degree: Enroll in a master’s degree program focused on school counseling, which focuses on topics such as counseling techniques, human development and curriculum design. Some programs, such as Southeastern’s M.Ed. in School Counseling, are ideal for students who are seeking a non-licensure track focused on expanding their impact in K-12 settings.
- Complete supervised fieldwork: Complete an internship or practicum to gain hands-on experience in a school setting, typically required as part of a master’s program.
- Continue professional development: Maintain credentials by completing ongoing professional development and local educational requirements.
Before becoming a school counselor, assess this path to ensure it aligns with your core motivations, career aspirations and passions. If you’re considering a transition to school counseling, ask yourself the following questions:
- How do you see yourself addressing major issues or hot-button topics within education?
- What are your existing professional strengths, and how do they align with the role?
- Are you prepared and eager to tackle the greatest challenges school counselors face today?
- How well do you handle resistance and an unwillingness to cooperate?
- What are the most pressing needs of students in your area, and are they issues you’re interested in tackling?
- What are your professional goals, and where do you see your career in five years? 10 years?
Students should research state-specific credentialing requirements in their city or state’s school districts that align with their professional aspirations.
What Skills Will You Gain in a School Counseling Program?
A strong school counseling program, such as Southeastern’s online M.Ed. in School Counseling, develops essential skills to work with students from various backgrounds. Graduates will be able to assess students’ social, emotional, academic, and career needs and wants and develop effective support strategies. Key skills a graduate program in school counseling develops include:
Technical Skills
- Assessment: Learn the various instruments of assessment, how to interpret tests and how to apply findings to individual student counseling
- Treatment planning: Develop record-keeping and treatment planning strategies required in today’s mental health marketplace
- Data analysis: Use data to develop, implement, and evaluate program effectiveness and the impact of counseling programs
Interpersonal Skills
- Empathy and compassion: Understand and relate to students’ feelings and respond to their needs effectively
- Active listening: Develop the ability to listen attentively and create a safe and welcoming environment for students
- Building rapport: Learn to earn trust with students and connect with them authentically
Leadership Skills
- Advocacy: Advocate for students’ well-being, especially in underserved communities, to ensure they receive resources and opportunities
- Leadership: Learn to lead by example, teach students to take responsibility, coordinate plans and promote positive change in their school community
- Collaboration: Work effectively as part of an academic team, collaborating with principals, teachers, parents and external partners
Career Outlook and Opportunities With a School Counseling M.Ed.
School counselors pursue career paths in a diverse range of fields that expand well beyond the K-12 system. In Oklahoma, the median pay for careers that fall under the school counselor branch ranges from $44,690 to $68,450, according to Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data from the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission.
Whether graduates hope to specialize in a specific counseling area, such as career counseling or special education support, or enter into leadership positions, an M.Ed. in school counseling degree leads to a range of opportunities, including the following:
- School counselor: Works with diverse communities to help students with specific needs, such as gifted education or behavioral and emotional disorders.
- Student success coach: Guides students to help them achieve their goals, develop skills and navigate personal challenges that arise at school.
- Youth program coordinator: Designs, implements, and manages programs for young people, such as after-school activities, camps and community service projects.
- Career readiness coach (K-12): Helps students plan for their future after high school by guiding them to develop skills, explore career options and navigate the college application process.
Inside Southeastern’s Online M.Ed. in School Counseling Degree
Southeastern’s online M.Ed. in School Counseling program helps you expand your positive impact on students in the classroom. With a comprehensive curriculum, this accelerated program covers academic, social and career development for students in elementary through high school. It emphasizes cultural and diversity issues, strategies for interacting with families, student privacy and mental health support, equipping graduates with the knowledge and skills to make a difference in their communities.
The program also includes in-depth explorations of subjects such as school counseling orientation and ethical practice, human growth and development in counseling, social and cultural diversity, school counseling psychopathology, treatment planning and counseling children and adolescents. Southeastern’s education leadership and school counseling programs are accredited by the Commission of the Office of Educational Quality and Accountability (OEQA).
Start Your School Counselor Journey Now
The rewards of becoming a school counselor include deeply impactful and meaningful work that helps students navigate their academic experience and grow into their potential. Counselors enjoy a diverse daily routine, social interaction with students and staff, and the chance to make a significant positive impact. By caring for young people, school counselors set up our communities for future success, growth and positive change.
Southeastern’s online M.Ed. in School Counseling program is an accelerated, flexible pathway to this career. Explore the program details and apply to Southeastern today to take the first step towards your future in school counseling.