Want to learn how to become a school counselor?

A School Counselor is the modern term for a guidance counselor and dates back to 1907 when high school principal, Jesse B. Davis encouraged his English teachers to use their lesson plans to discover student career interests, to mold character and to curtail behavioral issues.

School counselors are focused on the big picture of a student’s development and progression through the school system, both academically and emotionally.

School Counselor Educational Requirements

Students who are wondering how to become a school counselor should know that required degrees may vary, however, the majority of school guidance counselors usually have a minimum of a Bachelor Degree in Counseling or a Bachelor Degree in Psychology.

A Day in the Life of a School Guidance Counselor

School counselors work at all levels of education. The requirements on how to become a school counselor are the same at each educational level. School counselors are involved in all facets of a student’s growth from testing for advanced placement or learning disorders to preparing students to choose a university or career path. Individuals usually become interested in how to become a school counselor because they want a more developmental and emotional connection with students.

School counselors are often called upon to work with various student issues such as students who have experienced the loss of a parent, students who are experiencing behavioral problems or students who have undergone trauma like a school shooting or the suicide of a classmate. Having a safe place students can go and confide in a school counselor often times uncovers parental abuse and neglect. The majority of students go to their school counselor to determine what classes to take in order to get into a particular college or career industry. The school counselor is an integral part of the school setting and with an ever-greater emphasis on post-secondary education the school counselor is a valuable resource from which students can benefit.

If you are interested in becoming a School Counselor, Liberty University offers a number of Accredited Online Counseling Degrees.