Delaware School Counselor Certification

Step 1: Education Requirements

Elementary School Counselor Certificate

• Earned Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of a Master’s degree. Request information from the following schools to learn more:

  Sponsored School(s)

  Featured Programs:

  • Top Picks

  • Featured Universities with School Counseling Programs

  • #1

    Grand Canyon University

    M. Ed in School Counseling (leads to initial Licensure) Click here to contact Grand Canyon University and request information about their programs.

  • #2

    New York University (NYU)

    NYU Steinhardt's accredited master of arts program in Counseling and Guidance: School and Bilingual School Counseling. Through this online program, you will gain the skills you need to become a professional Pre-K-12 school counselor, working with children and families in your community to foster academic achievement and success. Click here to contact New York University and request information about their programs.

  • #3

    Liberty University

    Master's in School Counseling Online (M.Ed.) Click here to contact Liberty University and request information about their programs.

  • #4

    University of Denver

    Master of Arts in School Counseling. Click here to contact University of Denver and request information about their programs.

  • #5

    Peabody College at Vanderbilt University

    Master in School Counseling. Click here to contact Peabody College at Vanderbilt University and request information about their programs.

• Earned Master’s degree in Elementary School Counseling from a regionally accredited college/university or earned Master’s degree in any content area from a regionally accredited college/university, which includes the following graduate course work:
  • Introduction to School Counseling & Theories (3 credits)
  • Human Behavior and Child Development (3 credits)
  • Ethical Issues in School Counseling (3 credits)
  • College & Career Readiness K-12 (3 credits)
  • Testing, Measurements, and Research in School Counseling (3 credits)
  • The Counselor as Consultant (3 credits)
  • Special Education Law & the School Counselor’s Role (3 credits)
  • Group Counseling (3 credits)
  • Individual Counseling Skills & Strategies (6 credits)
  • Family Counseling (3 credits)
  • Principles and Practices of a School Counseling Program (6 Credits)
• Completed supervised school counseling clinical experience under the direct supervision of a State Department of Education certified Elementary School Counselor of 700 hours* in an elementary school setting, as part of a graduate degree program

Secondary School Counselor Certificate

• Earned Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of a Master’s degree. Request information from the following schools to learn more:

  Sponsored School(s)

  Featured Programs:

  • Top Picks

  • Featured Universities with School Counseling Programs

  • #1

    Grand Canyon University

    M. Ed in School Counseling (leads to initial Licensure) Click here to contact Grand Canyon University and request information about their programs.

  • #2

    New York University (NYU)

    NYU Steinhardt's accredited master of arts program in Counseling and Guidance: School and Bilingual School Counseling. Through this online program, you will gain the skills you need to become a professional Pre-K-12 school counselor, working with children and families in your community to foster academic achievement and success. Click here to contact New York University and request information about their programs.

  • #3

    Liberty University

    Master's in School Counseling Online (M.Ed.) Click here to contact Liberty University and request information about their programs.

  • #4

    University of Denver

    Master of Arts in School Counseling. Click here to contact University of Denver and request information about their programs.

  • #5

    Peabody College at Vanderbilt University

    Master in School Counseling. Click here to contact Peabody College at Vanderbilt University and request information about their programs.

• Earned Master’s degree in Secondary School Counseling from a regionally accredited college/university or earned Master’s degree in any content area from a regionally accredited college/university, which includes the following graduate course work:
  • Introduction to School Counseling & Theories (3 credits)
  • Human Behavior and Child Development (3 credits)
  • Ethical Issues in School Counseling (3 credits)
  • College & Career Readiness K-12 (3 credits)
  • Testing, Measurements, and Research in School Counseling (3 credits)
  • The Counselor as Consultant (3 credits)
  • Special Education Law & the School Counselor’s Role (3 credits)
  • Group Counseling (3 credits)
  • Individual Counseling Skills & Strategies (6 credits)
  • Family Counseling (3 credits)
  • Principles and Practices of a School Counseling Program (6 Credits)
• Completed supervised school counseling clinical experience under the direct supervision of a State Department of Education certified Secondary School Counselor of 700 hours* in a secondary school setting, as part of a graduate degree program

*Applicants who seek dual certification must have completed supervised school counseling clinical experience under the direct supervision of a State Department of Education certified Secondary School Counselor of 350 hours in a secondary school setting, as part of a graduate degree program and completed supervised school counseling clinical experience under the direct supervision of a State Department of Education certified Elementary School Counselor of 350 hours in an elementary school setting, as part of a graduate degree program.

For more information about the education requirements for school counselor certification in Delaware, visit this webpage.

Step 2: Submit a Criminal Background Check

Applicants must complete a criminal background check through the Delaware State Police. This check will include a fingerprinted state and national check completed by the State Bureau of Identification (SBI) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). In addition, the Delaware Department of Services for Children, Youth and their Families (DSCYF) will complete a Child Protection Registry Check.

For more information about how to complete the criminal background check for your application to the Delaware Department of Education, contact the Licensure & Certification department from 8 AM until 4:30 PM, Monday though Friday at 302-857-3388. You can also email a specialist at [email protected].

Step 3: Satisfy Examination Requirements

You must submit a score of 156 of higher on the Praxis II Test 5421 “Professional School Counselor.” To learn more about the Delaware requirements for the Praxis exam, visit the Praxis website.

Step 4: Organize the Application Materials

Your complete application includes the following materials:

• Names and addresses of all colleges/universities you have attended
• Official transcripts from all colleges/universities you have attended, including transfer credits that led to earned degree. For more information about official transcript requirements, visit this webpage.
• Official test scores for the Praxis II Test 5421 exam. For more information about official test scores, visit this webpage.
• Employment experience form(s), as applicable. The Teaching Experience Form (Form E) is located here. The Non-teaching Experience Form (Form E/NT) is located here. For more information about employment experience forms, visit this webpage.
• Verification of School Counseling Clinical Experience Form (Form C), located here.
• Copies of active and expired licenses/certificates (e.g., teaching licenses, counseling certificates) must be included with your application

For detailed information about required certification-related documents, visit the DOE website.

Step 5: Know the Fees

Application Fee $100

This is a one-time application fee that covers the costs for both a license and certificate. Upon employment with a Delaware public or charter school, you may be eligible for a fee reimbursement.

This fee must be paid with a credit card, not debit card, via online through the application portal.

For additional information about the application fee, visit the DOE website.

Step 6: Submit Your Application

Your application for a Delaware School Counselor certification is submitted online. To create an account in the Delaware Educator Data System and apply online, visit the DOE website.

Supporting documentation, including official transcripts, must be sent to the following address:

Additional Information

If you need assistance with your Delaware School Counselor application, please contact the Department of Education Licensure and Certification office from 8 AM until 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday, at 302-857-3388. You can also email a department specialist at [email protected].

License and certification renewals are managed through the school district or charter school for which a school counselor is employed.

Certifications are renewed each five years for school counselors who have met the professional development requirement of 90 clock hours. At least half of the hours (45) must be related to the counselor’s direct work with students (e.g., supportive guidance, career/college preparation).

Additional Assistance

For more information about how to renew your Delaware School Counselor Certificate, visit the DOE website.

If you have questions about your renewal application, contact the Licensure and Certification department via email [email protected] or call 302-857-3388 to speak with a specialist.

The Delaware Department of Education considers licensure and certification by reciprocity for applicants who hold a full and current license/certificate in any U.S. state, including the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico.

If you would like to be considered for reciprocity licensure/certification, you must meet all requirements for an Initial License or Continuing License, successfully complete the Praxis II Test 5421, and follow the application procedures outlined here.

For more information about how to apply to the Delaware Department of Education as an out-of-state applicant, including a detailed checklist and steps to apply online, please visit the DOE website.

Additional Assistance

If you have questions about your application, contact the Licensure and Certification department via email [email protected] or call 302-857-3388 to speak with a specialist.