How to Become a Maryland School Counselor

Where are you on your quest to become a Maryland School Counselor?

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

Explore the information below and learn how you can become a school counselor in Maryland. 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 Maryland Department of Education licensing department at (410) 767-0412.

I’m a High School Graduate…

Right now, you are way ahead of the game. As you research the Maryland school counseling career (as well as other careers in education hopefully), you are gaining valuable information. You are learning about school counseling and whether it seems to be a right fit for you.

Now, do not be pressed to learn this by tomorrow. Since you’ve begun your career research early, you have a few years to dive into the field and learn first-hand if school counseling is a fit for you.

The following are recommended steps that will help you begin earning the qualifications required for school counseling certification as well as steps that will help you learn more about working with school-aged students.

Step One:

Gather information from schools offering associate degree programs or bachelor degree programs in psychology, counseling or any type of program you are currently interested in. It is not imperative you enroll in a counseling program at this point. The only necessity is that you begin earning your associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree.

Step Two:

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 Maryland:

• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Maryland of Greater Chesapeake
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Maryland
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Washington County Maryland
• List of Maryland Educational Agency Websites
  • Use this link to find schools near you as well as each school’s contact information. Contact these schools to find out if there are any volunteer programs you may participate in.

Finally, go ahead and get out there! You’ve made the first move which is researching the Maryland school counseling career. Now get out there and learn if a career in education is right for you. Also, start earning an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. A post-secondary education is your ticket to a wide array of career possibilities, so learn more about your educational options as soon as possible.

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I have already earned a college degree…

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

Step One:

The following is the most travelled path to Maryland school counselor certification:

1. 1. Earn a Master’s degree in School Counseling
      
      
   2. You will also need to complete a 500 clock hour supervised practicum in school counseling.

1. Or if you have two years of teaching experience, you will need to earn a Master’s degree in school counseling as well as earn a National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC) certificate.
2. Learn more about your certification options by contacting Maryland school counseling certification specialists. Contact information is at the bottom of the following webpage.

Step Two:

Apart from educational and experience requirements, you will need to complete a criminal history background check.

You can learn more about this process as well as to align all of your efforts to become certified as soon as possible by contacting the Maryland Department of Education at the following number: (410) 767-0412 and learn how to apply online here.

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I’m a certified counselor from another state…

Maryland does provide avenues to Maryland school counselor certification for those certified in other states. You will need to have your credential evaluated by certification officials in Maryland and you will also have to complete a criminal background check.

You can learn how to complete the certification process by contacting a representative at the Maryland Department of Education by calling the following number: (410) 767-0412 or apply online here.

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