How to Become a New Jersey School Counselor

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

Explore the information below and learn how you can become a school counselor in New Jersey. 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 Jersey Department of Education licensing department at (609) 292-2070.

I'm a High School Graduate...

As a high school graduate looking into the New Jersey School Counselor career, you are showing motivation and maturity. Two of the most important attributes for achieving any kind of success in any area of your life. However, don't stop here! Now is the time to act!

Below are recommended steps that should help you learn whether a career as a New Jersey school counselor is right for you. Also, request information from post-secondary schools offering degrees that will get you closer to being certified as a New Jersey school counselor.

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 New Jersey:

Finally, you've found the information you've been looking for, so don't quit! Get out there and volunteer or find work in a school. You will thank yourself later when you learn for sure whether a career as a New Jersey Educator is right for you.

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I have already earned a college degree...

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

Step One:

Fulfill educational requirements through one of the following avenues:

  1. Earn a Master's degree in School Counseling that meets all the standards of the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP):
  2. Or earn a Master's degree in Counseling or a related field and also meet coursework requirements as stated on the New Jersey Department of Education Licensing Code. The following schools offer programs in counseling or related fields...

Step Two:

Download the Certification Manual and browse the information on this webpage to learn about the procedures for New Jersey school counselor certification.

If you have any more questions, call the New Jersey Department of Education at the following number: (609) 292-2070

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I'm a certified counselor from another state...

The New Jersey Department of Education recognizes most all states school counseling certifications, but will still need to evaluate your credentials to make sure all New Jersey school counselor certification requirements are met.

For more information on the application process and requirements for certification, browse the New Jersey Department of Education's website at the following location.

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**Some states require completion of a state-approved School Counselor preparation program from a regionally accredited institution in order to be licensed as a school counselor. Capella University is regionally accredited and their School Counseling specialization is state-approved by the Arizona Department of Education. We recommend that you follow up with your state Department of Education (DOE) to determine whether Capella's Arizona- approved School Counseling specialization meets your state's licensure requirements.