How to Become a New York School Counselor

School counselors are tasked with tremendous responsibilities in the schools where they work, meeting with individual students to support them through a wide range of challenges as well as creating initiatives to create a healthy and strong community as a whole. It should come as no surprise that building the skills and insights to excel in this role takes a great deal of education and training, ensuring that these important duties are handled with the utmost care and competence.

Your guidance counselor credentials will assert that you are thoroughly prepared to take on this challenging but deeply rewarding role in K-12 schools all over the state.

Those who are just at the beginning of this process may find it daunting, but fear not: the requirements to become a guidance counselor in New York are fairly straightforward, and your educational experience will allow you to get your feet wet in the field long before you obtain your credential.

This article features a step-by-step guide on how to become a school counselor in New York. It is designed to help you meet the state’s qualifications for guidance counselor credentials no matter what your prior experience is. That said, your level of education and certification status will affect your specific pathway through guidance counselor schooling. Where are you on your quest to become a New York 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 New York. 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 New York Department of Education licensing department at (518) 474-3901.

I’m a High School Graduate…

Maybe you’ve had a positive experience of your own with a school counselor, or maybe you’ve seen what your school’s counselors have done for the community as a whole. Whatever your reason, if you’re a high school student who’s inspired to become a school counselor, you’ve chosen an honorable and meaningful line of work to pursue.

Before you can qualify for master’s-level guidance counselor education, however, you’ll first need to obtain a bachelor’s degree. This will take some time, but the interim will allow you to reflect on and develop your goals further.

The following are recommended steps to help you begin gaining education to eventually be qualified for New York school counselor certification. In addition, you will find information about opportunities that will help you learn whether a career in school counseling or the field of education is right for you.

Step One: Obtain a Bachelor’s Degree

Receiving your bachelor’s degree is the first step in your long-term process of becoming a school counselor, as you will need one in order to qualify for master’s programs. You do not need to pursue a bachelor’s degree related to school counseling; it can be in any subject. That said, if you already know that you are interested in pursuing a career as a school counselor later, you will likely especially enjoy degree programs in fields like Counseling, Psychology, or Education.

Step Two: Volunteer in School Counseling-Related Roles

Though you may be a ways away from meeting qualifications for guidance counselor certification, there are still ways for you to get involved in the work you care about long before you obtain your credentials. 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 New York:

• Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York City
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Long Island
• New York Directory of Schools and School Districts

Finally, now that you have some direction, get out there! Go ahead and learn where you can begin earning your post-secondary education. Get out and learn about volunteering opportunities or work opportunities in schools. You will thank yourself later for getting an early jump on your career!

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I have already earned a college degree…

Once you hold a bachelor’s degree in any subject, you’re ready to pursue your school counseling career head-on. The following are the steps necessary for earning your school counseling certification in New York:

Step One: Obtain a Master’s Degree or Independent Study

There are a few different ways you can pursue your master’s coursework toward guidance counselor credentials. It’s important to do your research on the guidance counselor schooling option that most appeals to you to make absolutely certain it is designed to prepare you for certification upon graduating.

The traditional route for guidance counselor education is to earn a Master’s degree in School Counseling. This can be a Master of School Counseling or another master’s program, such as Counseling Psychology or Education, with a specialization track in School Counseling. You can find more school counseling programs in New York here.

In New York, it’s also possible to complete a Bachelor’s degree and separately complete 30 semester hours of approved graduate study in school counseling (Find approved school counseling programs). Be sure to look closely into such programs to be sure they truly will leave you eligible for state certification exams.

Step Two: Take Your Credentialing Exam

Upon completion of your master’s program (or your independent guidance counselor classes), you will be ready to sit for your credentialing exams. In order to meet requirements to become a school counselor, applicants must pass the New York State Teacher Certification Exam and the School Counselor CST.

Typically, your school counselor preparation program will help you with the certification application process. To learn more about the application process and all requirements necessary for New York school counselor certification, use the following webpage and follow the instructions stating the process for certification.

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I’m a certified counselor from another state…

Through interstate reciprocity agreements, those who hold a school counseling certification from a participating state may be granted a similar certification in New York. In order to be a New York school counselor certification prospect, you will need to have either completed an approved out-of-state school counseling preparation program or currently possess a valid, advanced-level certification with 3 years of service. 2 of the 3 years must have been served as a school counselor.

For more information, browse the following New York Department of Education webpage for Interstate Certification Agreement Applicants.

FAQs

What degree do I need to become a counselor in K-12 schools in New York?

New York’s requirements for guidance counselor education are slightly different from most other places in the U.S. As in most other states, you can pursue your credentials through a traditional Master of School Counseling program, as well as a program like Counseling or Education with a specialization track in School Counseling.

Unlike in most other states, students can pursue an Independent Study track that is not technically a master’s program but consists of a large number of guidance counselor classes as well as a field practicum. This requires more initiative and research, as you will need to make sure your pathway will actually meet qualifications for guidance counselor credentials, but this is another educational possibility you might consider.

How long does it take to be a guidance counselor in New York?

When taken on a full-time schedule, most guidance counselor schooling takes 2.5 to three years to complete. This includes your guidance counselor classes as well as your field internship.

How do I find school counselor jobs near me?

There are school counselor positions at K-12 schools all over New York state, in particular in New York City. Further, your field internship may help you build a relationship with a specific network of schools where you can plot the first steps of your career. 

If I hold an out-of-state school counselor credential, can I obtain a New York certificate if I relocate there?

Yes! New York offers reciprocity to those who hold valid, active guidance counselor credentials with at least three years of service in K-12 schools under their belts. At least two of these three years must have been completed as a school counselor.

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