How to Become a Louisiana School Counselor
Becoming a school counselor in Louisiana requires a master’s degree in school counseling from a CACREP-accredited program, a supervised internship of at least 600 hours in a PreK–12 school setting, and a passing score on the Praxis School Counselor exam (5422). Most people complete the full path in six to eight years. Louisiana issues the Ancillary School Counselor (K-12) certificate through the state education certification system.
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Louisiana projects around 400 school counselor job openings per year through 2032. The demand is real, and so is the path to get there. Here’s what it actually looks like, whether you’re starting from high school, already have a degree, or are coming in from another state.
I’m a High School Graduate…
You don’t need to have everything figured out right now. Plenty of successful school counselors started with a bachelor’s in psychology, education, sociology, or something else entirely. Louisiana doesn’t require a specific undergraduate major. What matters is where you end up at the graduate level.
Here’s how to use your undergrad years well.
Step 1: Earn a bachelor’s degree.
Choose a program that interests you. Psychology, education, social work, and human development are common starting points, but they’re not required. What you’re really doing at this stage is building the foundation you’ll need to get into a graduate school counseling program later.
Step 2: Get experience working with young people.
Graduate programs want to see that you’ve spent real time with students or youth before committing to this field, and honestly, so should you. Volunteering is one of the best ways to test whether this work is actually for you.
A few options in Louisiana:
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Louisiana
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Acadiana Louisiana
- Volunteer Louisiana
- List of Louisiana School Districts — contact districts directly to ask about volunteer or observer opportunities.
Step 3: Apply to a CACREP-accredited master’s program.
Louisiana requires your master’s degree to come from a program accredited by CACREP, the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs. That’s not a preference. It’s a licensing requirement. Programs at schools like UL Lafayette, Southeastern Louisiana University, and LSU include both a practicum and a supervised internship as part of the curriculum.
I Already Have a College Degree…
If you’ve already finished your bachelor’s degree, you’re ready to take the most direct path into the field. Here’s what Louisiana requires.
Step 1: Complete a master’s degree in school counseling from a CACREP-accredited program.
Louisiana requires that your graduate degree come from a CACREP-accredited school counseling program. If your master’s is in another counseling concentration, such as clinical mental health, you’ll need to complete at least six additional credit hours in school counseling from a CACREP-accredited institution before you can apply for certification.
Your coursework will typically cover counseling theory, human development, group processes, career development, individual assessment, and the principles of school counseling program administration.
Step 2: Complete your supervised fieldwork.
Your program will include two distinct fieldwork components. The practicum involves around 100 hours of supervised counseling experience, completed as part of your graduate coursework. The internship requires a minimum of 600 clock hours in a PreK–12 school setting. For many students, the internship is a near-full-time commitment for at least one semester. If you’re working while in your program, this is the stage that requires the most planning.
Step 3: Pass the Praxis School Counselor exam (5422).
Before you can apply for certification, you’ll need a passing score on the Praxis School Counselor exam (test code 5422). This is a national assessment covering school counseling principles, practices, and ethics. Your program advisor can tell you when most students sit for the exam and what qualifying score Louisiana requires. See the Louisiana school counselor certification page for full exam and renewal details.
Step 4: Gather your official transcripts.
Request official transcripts from every post-secondary institution you attended. These must come directly from the institution, not from you, and are submitted as part of your certification application.
Step 5: Submit your certification application through the Louisiana Educator Portal.
Louisiana now processes certification requests through the Louisiana Educator Certification (LEC) system, accessed via the Louisiana Educator Portal (LEP) using a MyLa account. Follow the instructions in the portal to submit your documentation. If you have questions during the process, the DOE’s certification office can be reached at (877) 453-2721.
Your initial Ancillary School Counselor (K-12) certificate is valid for five years.
I’m Certified in Another State…
Louisiana reviews out-of-state applicants through its certification process and may require additional documentation or coursework if there are gaps in their qualifications relative to Louisiana’s requirements. The DOE will assess your credentials and let you know what, if anything, needs to be addressed before your application can be approved.
Start by accessing the Louisiana Educator Portal to begin your application. You can also call the DOE’s certification office at (877) 453-2721 to discuss your specific credentials before applying. Full details on Louisiana’s reciprocity process are on the Louisiana school counselor certification page.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to become a school counselor in Louisiana?
Most people complete the full path in 6 to 8 years: 4 years for a bachelor’s degree and 2 to 3 years for a master’s program, plus time to pass the Praxis exam and complete the certification application. If you already have a bachelor’s degree, you’re looking at roughly two to three years from starting your master’s to receiving your certification.
Does my master’s program have to be CACREP-accredited?
Yes. Louisiana requires that your school counseling program be CACREP-accredited. If your degree is in a different counseling concentration, you’ll also need to complete at least six additional credit hours in school counseling from a CACREP-accredited institution. Check with your program advisor or the Louisiana Department of Education to confirm your program qualifies before you enroll.
How many internship hours are required in Louisiana?
Louisiana requires a minimum of 600 clock hours of supervised internship experience in a PreK–12 school setting. This is separate from your practicum, which typically involves around 100 hours of supervised counseling experience. Most programs build both components into the curriculum, but the internship is a significant time commitment, often close to full-time for one or more semesters.
Can I work while completing my school counseling program?
Many students work during coursework, especially in the early semesters. The challenge is the internship, which typically runs around 30 hours per week for at least one semester. Some programs offer flexible scheduling or hybrid coursework to help, but the in-school internship hours must be completed on-site during school hours. It’s worth asking programs directly about how they structure the internship before you enroll.
What’s the job market like for school counselors in Louisiana?
Louisiana projects about 400 school counselor job openings per year through 2032, with total employment expected to grow from around 4,850 to 5,260 positions. The median salary for educational and guidance counselors in Louisiana is $67,070 per year. See the Louisiana school counselor overview page for more context on the career.
- CACREP accreditation is required — Your master’s program must be CACREP-accredited. This affects which programs you can consider from day one, so verify before you apply.
- Expect 600 hours of supervised internship — The fieldwork requirement is substantial. Plan your program timeline around the internship, especially if you’re working while in school.
- The current certification exam is Praxis School Counselor (5422) — You’ll need a passing score before you can apply for your Louisiana Ancillary School Counselor (K-12) certificate.
- Applications go through the Louisiana Educator Portal — Louisiana now uses the LEC system online via a MyLa account, not a mail-in process.
- 400 openings per year — Louisiana’s counselor job market is growing steadily through 2032. The work is there for people who complete the credential.
Ready to find a master’s program that meets Louisiana’s licensing requirements?
