Montana Links
Montana School Counselors
Across the wide open expanses of Montana, the state’s school counselors are hard at work in support of their students’ academic and social wellbeing, ensuring that every student has the best opportunity for a successful future.
Montana’s school counseling programs adhere closely to the ASCA ethical standards. School counselors here implement comprehensive counseling program designed to enhance academic, career, and social achievement.
- Top Picks
Featured Universities with School Counseling Programs
#1
Walden University
MS in School Counseling - General Program. Click here to contact Walden University and request information about their programs.
#2
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.
#3
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.
#4
University of Denver
Earn a Master's degree in School Counseling online from the University of Denver. Learn from doctoral-level faculty in live classes and gain experience through mock counseling and in-field training. No GRE required. Click here to contact University of Denver and request information about their programs.
What do Montana school counselors do?
Student advocacy is at the top of the list for school counselors in Montana, as they strive to lead the next generation during their most formative years. Serving as liaisons for children across the state, they advocate for the whole child and ensure equitable learning opportunities for all.
Here are several more roles filled by school counselors in Montana:
They support mental health efforts across the state.
Not only do school counseling professionals help students prepare for college, career, and the workforce, they support both mental and emotional health. Trained to counsel youth and their families, school counselors in Montana promote behavioral and emotional wellness through individual counseling, group counseling, family counseling, or in-class educational programs.
They actively prepare students for college and career readiness.
Through data-driven results, up-to-date assessments, and individualized college/career plans, school counselors play an active role in guiding students towards the higher education or career path that best suits their strengths. They help students and parents determine the best colleges or universities based on a student’s goals and direct them toward financial aid and scholarship opportunities. For students who aren’t college-bound, school counselors offer workforce opportunities and encourage students to follow the best career course for their interests.
They develop comprehensive plans to educate, inform, prepare, and inspire.
Along with college and career planning, school counselors develop programs to educate students on topics such as bullying, substance abuse, and school safety. By implementing awareness in the schools, they prepare both students and teachers for emergency situations and preventative measures.
They collaborate with school administration and state agencies.
Collaboration is key in the role of a professional school counselor. As they work side-by-side with public offices and higher education institutions, they are better able to meet the needs of students and offer guidance for all.
A Look at Montana’s Plans to Increase the Number of School Counselors in Rural Communities
It’s no secret that the rural expanses of Montana have always struggled to recruit and retain educators. But in recent years, attention has been largely focused on increasing the number of school counselors in response to growing mental health needs among students.
As of 2023, nearly one quarter of all Montana schools have no licensed counselor on staff.
But a grant awarded to Montana State University is changing the landscape of rural Montana schools by providing students with the counselors they so desperately need.
In 2023, the U.S. Department of Education, as part of the Rural Mental Health Preparation Practice Pathway Partnership, awarded Montana State University and its partners, the University of Montana’s Department of Counseling, the Montana Office of Public Instruction, the Montana School Counselor Association, the Montana Small Schools Alliance, and MSU Extension, $4.1 million to increase mental health service professionals in the rural, remote, and tribal regions of Montana. It builds upon a previous $2.3 million grant awarded in 2019.
The grant is focused on recruiting, preparing, and retaining school counselors and increasing diversity among these professionals, with the ultimate goal of ensuring that school counselors are trained in culturally appropriate and evidence-based inclusive practices.
The five-year project will help prepare students of graduate counseling and education programs at both the University of Montana and Montana State University. They’re looking to produce at least 60 counselors, 40 of whom they hope will provide services to the state’s most remote schools.
The funds will cover graduate school costs for these students, along with costs associated with placement, including travel and living expenses as they complete their ten-month internship required for graduation.
During the internship phase, students will gain valuable experience working with students in rural settings. The internship will include a community-focused rural life orientation which will help them learn more about the challenges faced by students in these communities. They will then complete at least 600 hours of service working for a rural community as part of the program.
The Rural Mental Health Preparation Practice Pathway also aims to build a community of school counselors and partner organizations who will be able to support each other when addressing the challenges of rural young mental health.
Why should someone consider becoming a school counselor in Montana?
Job Market Trends
Montana School Counselor Salary (median) 1
$59,480/year
Number of School Counselors Employed 1
860
Projected employment growth in Montana 2
9.0% from 2022-2032
A career in school counseling may very well be the ideal career path for individuals searching for meaningful work that involves guiding young adults and making a lasting impact on future generations.
Here are a few reasons why you should consider becoming a school counselor in Montana:
- Montana offers a positive and promising employment environment for school counselors.
- School counselors are seen as leaders in Montana, both in the educational system and in the community.
These professionals are committed to providing ample tools and resources for every student. As they focus on the dignity, worth, and potential of every child, they go above and beyond their role to ensure the best possible college, career, and social path.
Contact schools offering school counseling or mental health counseling programs and learn how you can begin a career as a Montana School Counselor.
Whether you are from Billings, Missoula, Great Fall, Bozeman, Helena, or anywhere else across the state, you will find school counseling a highly rewarding and respected career.
1.) May 2024 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics job market and salary figures for Educational, Guidance and Career Counselors and Advisors represents state data not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed May 2025.
2.) School Counselor projections data retrieved from Projections Central, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor. Data accessed May 2025.