How to Become a Georgia School Counselor

Written by Dr. Lauren Davis, Ed.D., Last Updated: March 24, 2026

Georgia employs approximately 10,000–11,000 school counselors, depending on the source and year, supporting students from pre-K through 12th grade. The state projects hundreds of annual openings and steady growth for school counselors through 2032. If you’re thinking about entering the field, the path is clear. It just takes planning.

This guide walks you through exactly what’s required, starting from wherever you are right now.

• I’m a High School Graduate…
• I have already earned a college degree…
• I’m a certified counselor from another state…

Your path to becoming a school counselor varies depending on your current level of education, but everyone reaches the same destination: a master’s degree, a passed exam, and a GaPSC certification. How long it takes depends on where you’re starting from.

Explore the sections below for your path. Some requirements are subject to change. For the most current information, contact your school counseling program advisor or the GaPSC Certification Call Center at (404) 232-2500. The center is available Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

I’m a High School Graduate…

As a high school graduate, you have more runway than you might think. You can start building your foundation in counseling-related knowledge right now, while you work toward the undergraduate degree you’ll need before grad school.

A master’s degree is required for school counselor certification in Georgia, though it may be in school counseling or a closely related field depending on the pathway. There’s no shortcut past graduate school, but there are smart ways to work toward it.

Step One: Pursue an Undergraduate Degree

You’ll need a bachelor’s degree before you can apply to a master’s program. Your major doesn’t have to be in counseling or education, though those fields give you early exposure to relevant concepts and, in some programs, opportunities for supervised field experiences with young people. Majors in psychology, sociology, social work, or education are all common stepping stones.

Most bachelor’s programs take four years full-time, though summer enrollment can shorten that timeline.

Step Two: Get Some Experience with Young People

Before committing to a master’s program, it helps to confirm that working with kids and adolescents is the right fit for you. Volunteering is one of the best ways to find out. The following organizations can place you in volunteer roles across Georgia:

• Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Heart of Georgia
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta
• Big Brothers Big Sisters Athens County
• BBBS of Northwest Georgia
• Map of Georgia School Districts

Georgia’s school counseling workforce is growing. Getting experience early puts you ahead when you eventually enter the job market.

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I have already earned a college degree…

If you already hold a bachelor’s degree, you’re ready to focus entirely on your school counseling education and the credentialing process. Here’s how that path unfolds.

Step One: Complete Your Master’s Program

A master’s degree is a firm requirement for school counselor certification in Georgia. There are several degree options that qualify:

• Master of School Counseling
• Master of Educational Psychology with a concentration in School Counseling
• Master of Counseling Psychology with a specialization in School Counseling

Programs typically run 60 to 66 credit hours and take two to three years to complete on a full-time schedule. As part of your degree, you’ll complete supervised field experience: 100 hours of practicum and 600 hours of internship in pre-K through 12th grade school settings. These hours are built into GaPSC-approved programs and required for certification.

Online programs are widely available and have opened the door for many candidates who can’t relocate or need flexible scheduling. One additional note: Georgia requires all candidates for a Professional Certificate to complete a course in identifying and educating exceptional children with a grade of B or better. Most GaPSC-approved programs include this as part of the curriculum. Confirm with your program advisor before enrolling.

Step Two: Pass the GACE Exam

After earning your graduate degree, you’ll need to pass the Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators (GACE) for School Counseling. The exam primarily consists of computer-based multiple-choice questions, with format details varying by test version. It evaluates your competencies across the core domains of school counseling practice.

The GACE is typically offered in two parts, though you can elect to take both on the same day. Testing windows are available throughout the year. Your program will manage your eligibility through the Traditional Program Management System (TPMS), and program approval is required before you can register to test. Scores are forwarded directly to the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC), which issues your certification once you’ve passed.

Step Three: Complete a Background Check

Before certification is granted, you’ll need to complete fingerprinting and a criminal background check. Georgia requires a clearance certificate, and your employing school district typically initiates this process. Applicants with felony convictions, crimes involving moral turpitude, or certain drug or sexual offenses will not be cleared for certification. This step is straightforward for most candidates, but it’s important to know about it upfront rather than at the end of the process.

Step Four: Forward Transcripts and Apply for Certification

Request that official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions you’ve attended be sent directly to the GaPSC. Then complete your certification application online or by mail through the GaPSC forms and applications page. For full details on certification requirements, exam logistics, renewal, and reciprocity, see our Georgia school counselor certification guide.

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I’m a certified counselor from another state…

If you hold a professional school counseling certificate from another state at the master’s level, you may qualify for a Georgia Professional Certificate without starting over. Georgia also recognizes several alternative routes to certification, including:

• A valid National Certified School Counselor (NCSC) credential
• A valid Georgia Professional Counselor’s license (LPC or LAPC)
• Five years of documented experience in school counseling with an out-of-state certificate

In all cases, certification is reviewed on an individual basis. You’ll still need to meet any gaps in Georgia’s specific requirements, including the exceptional children course and the background check, before a certificate is issued. For full details on the reciprocity process and required documentation, visit the GaPSC’s out-of-state educators page.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to become a school counselor in Georgia?

Starting from a high school diploma, plan on roughly six to seven years: four years for a bachelor’s degree and two to three years for a master’s program. If you already hold a bachelor’s degree, the timeline is two to three years of graduate school, plus time to complete the GACE exam and certification application. Some accelerated programs let candidates finish their master’s in closer to two years.

What fieldwork is required in a Georgia school counseling program?

Georgia school counseling programs require 100 hours of practicum and 600 hours of internship, all completed in school settings across the pre-K through 12th grade range. Your program coordinates these placements. You don’t arrange them independently. Both are supervised by a credentialed school counselor at your placement site and are required before you can apply for GaPSC certification.

Can I complete a school counseling master’s program online in Georgia?

Yes. Several GaPSC-approved programs offer fully online or hybrid delivery. The fieldwork hours (100 hours of practicum and 600 hours of internship) still need to be completed in person at a school site, but coursework can be done remotely. Before enrolling, confirm that the program is GaPSC-approved, as only approved programs can grant GACE testing eligibility through the TPMS system.

What does it cost to apply for Georgia school counselor certification?

Application fees are set by the GaPSC and GACE exam fees are set separately by ETS. Both are subject to change. For current fee schedules, check gapsc.com and gace.ets.org directly. These figures update periodically and the official sites will always have the most accurate information.

Dr. Lauren Davis, Ed.D.

Dr. Lauren Davis is the editor in chief of School-Counselor.org with over 15 years of experience in K-12 school counseling. She holds an Ed.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision and is a National Certified Counselor (NCC). Her work focuses on helping prospective school counselors navigate degree programs, state licensing requirements, and the realities of the profession.

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