Massachusetts Links
How to Become a Massachusetts School Counselor
Where are you on your quest to become a Massachusetts School Counselor?
Explore the information below and learn how you can become a school counselor in Massachusetts. Some of the information below may be subject to change. In order to make sure you have the most current information, contact your school counseling education program advisor or the Massachusetts Department of Education’s Office of Educator Licensure at (781) 338-6600.
- 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.
I’m a High School Graduate…
To become a Massachusetts school counselor, you will need to complete both undergraduate and graduate education. However, don’t be dismayed. You are in a fantastic situation to learn more about the Massachusetts school counseling career and begin working towards school counselor certification.
Through mentoring opportunities and volunteering or working in a school, you will quickly learn whether school counseling is for you. In the meantime, you should request information from schools offering associate’s degrees or bachelor’s degrees. These are educational credentials that open doors to a wide array of career opportunities.
The following are recommended steps to become a Massachusetts 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; only that you begin toward an associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree.
Step Two:
Volunteering is a great way to learn more about careers in the social services that work with children and young adults. The following organizations may be able to match you with volunteering positions across the state of Massachusetts:
- Massachusetts Mentors
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Massachusetts Bay
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Massachusetts
- Directory of Massachusetts School Districts
- Use this link to find schools near you. Contact these schools to find out if there are any volunteer programs you may participate in.
Finally, don’t be afraid to jump in feet first. This is the only way to really get the ball rolling. You will meet new, exciting people, learn how you like working with student-aged individuals, and develop long-lasting friendships.
I have already earned a college degree…
The following are the steps you’ll need to take to earn your school counseling certification in Massachusetts:
Step One:
Earn a master’s degree in counseling.
Step Two:
Complete a practicum experience of 450 clock hours in an educational setting. You will likely satisfy this requirement through your master’s degree in counseling.
Step Three:
Take and pass both components (reading and writing subtests) of the Communication and Literacy Skills test (Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure [MTEL]).
Step Four:
Apply for the School Counselor license through the Educator Licensure And Renewal (ELAR) portal.
Contact the Massachusetts Department of Education’s Office of Educator Licensure at (781) 338-6600 with any questions regarding the licensure process.
I’m a certified counselor from another state…
As an out-of-state counselor, you may qualify for one of three (3) types of Academic PreK-12 educator licenses: Temporary, Provisional, or Initial. Learn how to apply for a Massachusetts counselor license here.