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Nebraska School Counselors
School counselors in Nebraska work tirelessly as advocates, leaders, collaborators, and consultants to create equitable education and success for all students. In full cooperation with each district’s educational goals, they develop comprehensive plans to promote student wellness in every area of life. Nebraska school guidance counselors adhere to the belief that all students have the ability to learn, grow, and achieve.
No matter the ethnicity, social class, or economic status of students, Nebraska school counselors are committed to ensuring that all students are treated with respect and dignity and all have access to comprehensive school counseling programs.
- 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 Nebraska school counselors do?
The State Board of Education encourages schools to implement a system-wide school counseling program to help establish positive learning environments for all students. The program advocates social/emotional development and teaches the skills and behaviors essential for student academic and career achievement.
Here are a few key things Nebraska school counselors do:
They design and implement a comprehensive school counseling program.
Armed with skills, professionalism, and creativity, Nebraska school counselors are trained to design and implement programs that meet the social, behavioral, and academic needs of every student. In-class sessions and individualized counseling comprise much of the school counselor’s role. By testing the climate of their schools, counselors are able to tailor classes to best meet teacher and student needs. These classes might include bullying prevention, safety preparedness, and social/emotional instruction for a positive learning environment.
They monitor student data to close the gap and promote student achievement at all levels.
School counselors work hard to assess each child in order to close the educational gap and ensure every student has the best chance at leading a productive life. By implementing data-driven results, counselors are able to create individualized plans that promote student achievement. They work closely with teachers and parents to ensure no child is left to struggle alone. Their top priority is to ensure that all students succeed in the classroom and graduate on time.
They provide leadership in direct correlation to the school’s mission.
Nebraska school counselors are leaders in their schools and communities. They work closely with school officials to ensure they are adhering to policies and procedures. They keep in mind each school’s mission and develop services that uphold that mission for every student. As leaders in the educational system, school counselors are able to promote positive change when necessary and facilitate new and innovative ideas for every school in the state.
They provide responsive services, including small group or individual counseling as necessary.
School counselors are prepared to respond, even in the most unexpected situations. They are serious about school safety and provide adequate response services. In the event of a school crisis, counselors are prepared to offer individual and group counseling. As part of their comprehensive program, they teach crisis preparedness to both school faculty and students. They are often the first to respond in emergency situations.
The University of Nebraska Omaha Creates Peer Advocate Program for High School Teens
It’s no secret that the COVID pandemic had a significant impact on student mental health. In the years following the pandemic, an increasing number of student-aged children and adolescents reported thoughts of depression, anxiety, suicide, and self-harm. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 69 percent of all schools in the nation reported a rise in student mental health concerns in recent years.
At the University of Nebraska Omaha, faculty and grad students within the Department of Counseling have created a Trauma-Informed Peer Advocate (TIPA) program, thanks to a grant from the university’s Office of Research and Creative Activity. TIPA is designed to educate arm students in counseling, intervention, and advocacy skills to help their peers and support the school community, essentially training them to become trauma-informed peer advocates. At the same time, the program is designed to introduce students to careers in the behavioral health field.
Through TIPA, high school students engage in a curriculum that covers mental health literacy, basic counseling skills, trauma-informed approaches, crisis intervention strategies, and multicultural and social justice advocacy. It also educates students to recognize when a situation is beyond their abilities so they can seek the help of a professional school counselor.
TIPA is designed to empower young adults by allowing them to become active in supporting their peers. The program will allow school counselors and school psychologists to allow students to be their eyes and ears in and out of the classroom environment and identify issues and concerns with students. By supporting their peers, students in the TIPA program can better serve their schools and communities. And for some, it may inspire them to pursue a career in counseling or in another behavioral science area.
Why should someone consider becoming a school counselor in Nebraska?
Job Market Trends
Nebraska School Counselor Salary (median) 1
$66,650/year
Number of School Counselors Employed 1
12,120
Projected employment growth in Nebraska 2
3.9% from 2022-2032
Making a lasting difference in the lives of students is probably the top reason school counselors choose the profession. Their services are not only rewarding, but also beneficial to the health of America’s schools.
Here are a few key reasons someone should consider becoming a school counselor in Nebraska:
- According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), school and career counselors can look forward to steady job prospects across the country.
- The Nebraska State Board of Education requires that at least one school counselor be employed in each K-12 and secondary school system, which should help maintain high demand for counselors throughout the state.
- Educational, guidance, school, and vocational counselors in Nebraska earn a mean annual salary of $66,650, which exceeds the national earnings for this profession.
School counselors in Nebraska are true leaders, advocates, and collaborators for the next generation. They continue to work tirelessly to create equitable education and success.
Contact schools offering school counseling or mental health counseling programs and learn how you can begin a career as a Nebraska school counselor.
Whether you are from Omaha, Lincoln, Bellevue, Kearney, Hastings, 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.