School Counseling Concentration
School counseling is the specialty that places counselors inside K-12 schools, supporting students’ academic progress, social-emotional development, and college and career planning. It follows a different credentialing path than clinical counseling: school counselors are certified or licensed by state departments of education rather than by counseling boards.
The concentration is delivered as a master’s specialization, with coursework available online and a supervised internship completed in a school setting.
Quick Answers
What is a school counseling concentration?
It is the master’s-level specialty that prepares graduates for state school counselor certification. Coursework covers child and adolescent development, academic and career advising, and school-based counseling programs, with an internship completed in a K-12 setting.
What do school counselors earn?
Educational, guidance, and career counselors and advisors – the BLS occupation covering school counselors – earn a median $64,330 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Public school positions typically follow district salary schedules and academic-year calendars.
Do you need a teaching license to become a school counselor?
It depends on the state. Most states certify school counselors without requiring a teaching license, but some require prior teaching experience or additional coursework. Verify with your state’s department of education before choosing a program.
Back to Counseling Concentrations
At a Glance
- Focus area: Academic, social-emotional, and college/career support for K-12 students
- Degree level: Master’s specialization in school counseling
- Credential path: State school counselor certification through departments of education – requirements vary by state
- Career alignment: Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselor and Advisor ($64,330 median, BLS OEWS, May 2025)
- Accreditation to look for: CACREP school counseling
- Online availability: Coursework widely online; school-based internship in person
For an overview of all degree paths, see the Counseling Program Guide.
What you typically study
| Course Topic | What You Learn |
|---|---|
| Foundations of School Counseling | The school counselor’s role and comprehensive program models |
| Child and Adolescent Development | Developmental needs across elementary, middle, and high school |
| Academic and Career Advising | Course planning, college admissions, and career exploration |
| Counseling Children and Adolescents | Age-appropriate counseling techniques and interventions |
| Group Work in Schools | Classroom guidance and small-group counseling |
| Crisis Response in Schools | Threat assessment, crisis planning, and postvention |
| Consultation and Collaboration | Working with teachers, families, and administrators |
| School Counseling Internship | Supervised hours in a K-12 setting |
How school counselor certification works
School counseling certification runs through state departments of education, not counseling boards. The typical sequence is a master’s degree in school counseling, a supervised school-based internship completed within the program, a state-specified exam, and a background check. Some states add requirements such as teaching experience or specific coursework, and the certificate often must be renewed through continuing education. Because requirements vary by state, confirm your state’s rules and check the program’s licensure disclosure before enrolling.
CACREP accredits school counseling programs, and many states align certification coursework with CACREP standards.
Where school counselors work
- Public elementary, middle, and high schools
- Private and charter schools
- District-level student services and counseling coordination
- College access programs and nonprofits (often using the same skill set)
- Higher education advising offices, for those who pivot beyond K-12
School positions typically follow academic calendars – a meaningful lifestyle difference from agency-based clinical work.
Questions to ask before choosing this concentration
- Is the program CACREP-accredited in school counseling, and does it meet your state’s certification requirements?
- Does your state require teaching experience for school counselor certification?
- How does the program arrange school-based internship placements?
- Does the curriculum prepare you for your state’s required exam?
- If you might later want clinical licensure too, does the program offer a path to add LPC coursework? (See the mental health counseling concentration.)
How counseling concentrations compare
| Concentration | Typical Credential | Related BLS Occupation | Median Salary (May 2025) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mental Health Counseling | LPC / LMHC | Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselor | $59,350 |
| School Counseling | State certification | Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselor | $64,330 |
| Substance Abuse Counseling | State addiction credential | Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselor | $59,350 |
| Marriage and Family Therapy | LMFT | Marriage and Family Therapist | $66,940 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
The credential runs through the master’s in counseling. Find programs aligned to your state’s certification rules at counseling degrees by state.
Data verified: June 11, 2026. Salary, employment, and tuition figures on this page are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS May 2025; Employment Projections 2024–2034) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2023 cohort). The source agency and data year are cited inline with every statistic.