School counselors are certified/licensed educators who improve student success for ALL students by implementing a comprehensive school counseling program.
Counselors are employed in elementary, middle, and high school positions and district supervisory positions.
School Counselor Qualifications
- Hold, at minimum, a master's degree in school counseling
- Meet the state certification/licensure standards
- Fulfill continuing education requirements
- Uphold ASCA ethical and professional standards
Leadership Team Members
School counselors work to maximize student success, promoting access and equity for all students. As vital members of the school leadership team, school counselors create a school culture of success for all.
School counselors help all students:
- apply academic achievement strategies
- manage emotions and apply interpersonal skills
- plan for postsecondary options (higher education, military, work force)
Appropriate duties include providing:
- individual student academic planning and goal setting
- school counseling classroom lessons based on student success standards
- short-term counseling to students
- referrals for long-term support
- collaboration with families/teachers/administrators/community for student success
- advocacy for students at individual education plan meetings and other student-focused meetings
- data analysis to identify student issues, needs, and challenges
- acting as a systems change agent to improve equity and access, achievement, and opportunities for all students
The ideal caseload is 250 students per one school counselor.