How to Become a South Carolina School Counselor

School counselors make a difference in the lives of young people across the state of South Carolina, taking on a vast array of responsibilities in K-12 schools to support individual students as well as the community as a whole.

Pursuing your guidance counselor education can lead you to a lasting career that promises to keep you engaged and make a real impact in the lives of children and adolescents.

If you want to learn how to become a school counselor in South Carolina, you’ve come to the right place. The next steps toward your dream career will depend on your current level of education (or, for working school counselors located in other places, your current guidance counselor credentials). Where are you on your quest to become a South Carolina School Counselor?

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

So what do you need to be a school counselor in South Carolina? Explore the information below to get started. Some of the information below may be subject to change. In order to make sure you have the most current information, please feel free to contact your school counseling education program advisor or contact the South Carolina Department of Education licensing department at (803) 734-8466.

I’m a High School Graduate…

If you have not yet attended undergraduate college but know you wish to become a school counselor in the future, there are ways to lay the foundations for your guidance counselor schooling in a bachelor’s program. While it’s not one of South Carolina’s requirements to become a guidance counselor, beginning to pursue a school counselor education as an undergraduate can be a great way to invest in your long-term plans.

Below are some recommended steps to take that will help you on your future career path. You will find information about advancing your level of education as well as opportunities that will help you learn whether a career as a South Carolina school counselor is right for you.

Step One: Obtain a Bachelor’s Degree

In the state of South Carolina as well as the rest of the United States, a master’s degree is one of the standard qualifications for guidance counselor certification. Those who haven’t yet obtained a bachelor’s degree must do that first. It is not imperative you enroll in a counseling program at this point. The only necessity is that you begin earning your bachelor’s degree. That said, those who wish to begin building skills and expertise early can do so by majoring in fields including Counseling Psychology, Education, School Social Work, and more.

Step Two: Pursue Local Volunteer Opportunities

A great way to find out if you are interested in a social service type of career, like school counseling, is to find volunteering organizations who work with children or young adults. The following are links to organizations who can place you in volunteering positions across the state of South Carolina:

• South Carolina Mentor
• Big Brother Big Sisters of Carolina Youth Development Center
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Columbia
• South Carolina map of school districts

Lastly, make sure you go ahead and get out there! Start volunteering or working in a public school. This is the only way you will learn whether a career in education is right for you with real confidence. In addition, you may develop some relationships that will last for many years to come and enrich you life along the way.

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I have already earned a college degree…

If you already hold a bachelor’s degree, you are ready to pursue a master’s degree in a field related to school counseling. This is what is required to be a school counselor with South Carolina state certification. You do not need to hold a bachelor’s degree in a topic related to school counseling in order to qualify for relevant master’s programs.

The following are the steps necessary for earning your school counseling certification in South Carolina:

Step One: Complete Your School Counselor Education

There are multiple ways to complete a guidance counselor education. Fulfill educational requirements through one of the following avenues:

1. Earn a Master’s degree. This can be a straightforward Master of School Counseling degree, or you can choose a School Counseling concentration pathway in a field such as Counseling Psychology or Educational Psychology. It’s worth doing your research to ensure that these programs will prepare you for your South Carolina credentialing exam.
2. Or earn a Master’s degree in any other field and then separately, complete a school counseling program from an approved educational institution.

• • Schools offering Counseling programs in South Carolina
  • Schools offering programs in Education in South Carolina

Step Two: Pass South Carolina’s School Counselor Exams

Upon completing your guidance counselor schooling, you’ll be prepared to take your credentialing exam. To fulfill South Carolina’s examination requirements, you will need to complete the Praxis I Pre-Professional Skills Test (PPST), the Praxis II: Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT), and the Praxis II: School Guidance and Counseling examination.

You can find more information about testing locations and dates on the ETS website.

Step Three: Complete a Background Check and Prepare Your Application

Prior to being issued a South Carolina school counseling certification, you will also need to complete a criminal background check. You can request fingerprint cards to be sent to you from the South Carolina Department of Education.

In addition, you will need to request an application for certification to be sent to your residence to be completed by you. You can request both the application packet and fingerprint cards to be sent to you through the South Carolina Department of Education Website.

Step Four: Submit Your Application

Now that you have obtained your graduate degree, passed your credentialing exam, and prepared your application, all you have to do is submit your application to the South Carolina Department of Education. Congratulations – your hard work has paid off! You can follow the indicated steps to certification on the following webpage: Steps to South Carolina educator certification.

Or, you can call the South Carolina Department of Education Office of Educator Certification at the following number: (803) 734-8466

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I’m a certified counselor from another state…

If you are a school counselor in another state, the South Carolina Department of Education may be able to grant you a South Carolina school counselor certification through reciprocity agreements. Those who hold active, valid guidance counselor credentials from states outside of South Carolina are able to present their certifications to the SCDE.

You can find more information about the certification through reciprocity agreements and contact information for further questions, here.

FAQs

What degree do I need to be a counselor at K-12 schools in South Carolina?

Guidance counselor schooling requirements in South Carolina stipulate that all counselors must hold a master’s degree in a field related to school counseling in order to qualify for credentials. This can be a Master of School Counseling degree or a degree in Counseling Psychology or Educational Psychology with a School Counseling track. In some cases, those who hold master’s degrees in other subjects will enroll in certification courses in School Counseling to supplement their existing degrees.

How long does it take to be a guidance counselor?

If you have already obtained a bachelor’s degree, completing your master’s program – including all guidance counselor classes as well as field internship hours – will typically take 2.5 to three years to complete when taken on a full-time schedule.

How much do guidance counselors make an hour in South Carolina?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, South Carolina-based school counselors earn a mean hourly wage of $27.38, amounting to a mean annual salary of $56,940. With seniority and specialization certifications, school counselors in the state can begin earning salaries above this average, making this a motivating factor to work toward in the long term.

Where can I find school counselor jobs near me?

There are school counselor jobs at K-12 schools across the state of South Carolina, including public, charter, and private schools. In fact, in your field internship, you may get the opportunity to lay the foundations of a longer-term professional relationship with a local elementary, middle, or high school where you are completing your practicum.

2023 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and employment figures reflect state data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed March 2025.

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