How to Become an Alabama School Counselor
Becoming a school counselor in Alabama means earning a master’s degree in school counseling from a state-approved program, completing 100 hours of practicum and 600 hours of supervised internship, and passing the Praxis School Counselor exam (5422). You’ll be working toward the Class A Professional Educator Certificate. Most people take six to nine years to complete the full path.
- 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
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.
#4
Campbellsville University
Online Master of Arts in Education in School Counseling Click here to contact Campbellsville University and request information about their programs.
#5
Sacred Heart University
Online Master of Arts in School Counseling Click here to contact Sacred Heart University and request information about their programs.
#6
Winthrop University
M.Ed. in Counseling Development - School Counseling Concentration Click here to contact Winthrop University and request information about their programs.
#7
Auburn University at Montgomery
Education Specialist in Counseling- School Counseling. Click here to contact Auburn University at Montgomery and request information about their programs.
#8
Butler University
Master of Science in School Counseling. Click here to contact Butler University and request information about their programs.
#9
University of West Alabama
Master of Education: School Counseling Click here to contact University of West Alabama and request information about their programs.
Alabama Links
Where are you in the process? Use the links below to jump to your starting point.
Whether you’re just starting to explore the career or you’re ready to apply to graduate programs, the steps below walk you through what Alabama actually requires. Contact your school counseling program advisor or the Alabama Department of Education Teacher Education & Certification Section at (334) 242-9977 with questions.
I’m a High School Graduate
If you’re still in high school or just finished, you’ve got a longer path ahead, but it’s a well-worn one. Start by thinking about your undergraduate degree.
Step One: Earn a bachelor’s degree.
You don’t need to major in school counseling at this stage. Many school counselors start out in psychology, education, social work, or sociology. What matters is that you earn a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. Your graduate program will provide specialized counseling training.
Step Two: Explore the field before you commit.
Volunteering with young people is one of the best ways to determine whether this career is the right fit. A few Alabama organizations worth looking into:
- Alabama MENTOR connects volunteers with mentoring opportunities across the state
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Birmingham
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Tennessee Valley
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Central Gulf Coast
- Alabama Public and Private School Listing — contact schools near you to ask about volunteer opportunities
Spending time in a school environment, even informally, sharpens your sense of whether school counseling is where you want to land. Teaching, school psychology, and administration are all related paths worth considering, too.
I Have a College Degree
This is the most common starting point. Here’s what Alabama requires for your Class A Professional Educator Certificate in School Counseling.
Step One: Earn a master’s degree in school counseling from a state-approved program.
The program needs to be approved by the Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE). CACREP accreditation is a strong signal that a program meets state standards, and most Alabama universities with counseling programs hold it. Programs are typically 60 semester hours and take two to three years full-time. Look for CACREP-accredited school counseling programs that are also ALSDE-approved before you enroll.
Step Two: Understand the teaching certificate requirement.
Alabama’s path to school counselor certification has more than one route, and which one applies to you depends on your background. The traditional Class A path requires a valid Alabama Professional Educator Certificate in a teaching field (Class B or higher) before you can apply for your school counseling certificate. Some CACREP-accredited programs offer alternative entry pathways for applicants without prior teaching certification. Confirm with your target program and the ALSDE which route applies to your situation before enrolling, as misunderstandings can delay your program entry. For a full breakdown of Alabama school counselor certification requirements, see the certification page.
Step Three: Complete your practicum (100 clock hours).
Before you move into your internship, you’ll complete a supervised practicum of at least 100 clock hours in a school setting. At least 40 of those hours must involve direct individual and group counseling with students across elementary and secondary levels. Your program will coordinate the placement.
Step Four: Complete your supervised internship (600 clock hours).
The internship is the centerpiece of your field training. Alabama requires a minimum of 600 clock hours in a P-12 school setting, with at least 240 of those hours spent in direct contact with students. The counselor supervising your internship needs to hold a valid master’s degree and be currently certified as a school counselor in an Alabama school. Your program arranges the placement and supervision structure.
Step Five: Complete a background check.
You’ll need fingerprinting for criminal history checks through both the Alabama State Bureau of Investigation (ASBI) and the FBI. Register through the ALSDE’s AIM Identity Management portal. Fieldprint is the authorized contractor for scheduling and fingerprint collection.
Step Six: Pass your certification exams.
Alabama requires exams as part of its Alabama Educator Certification Assessment Program (AECAP). This includes the Praxis School Counselor assessment (test code 5422) and may include a basic skills assessment. Acceptable test substitutions and current requirements can change, so confirm the exact testing requirements with the ALSDE before you apply. Don’t rely solely on third-party sources for this. Register for the Praxis through ETS and designate the ALSDE (state code 7020) as a score recipient when you sign up.
Step Seven: Apply for your certificate through the ALSDE.
Submit your application, official transcripts from both your bachelor’s and master’s programs, exam scores, and background check documentation to the Alabama State Department of Education, Teacher Certification, P.O. Box 302101, Montgomery, AL 36130-2101. Questions? Contact the ALSDE certification office at (334) 242-9977.
How long does this take?
Realistically, it takes six to nine years from high school graduation to full certification. That’s four years for your bachelor’s, two to three years for your master’s (with practicum and internship built in), plus time to complete your professional educational work experience requirement. Don’t let the timeline discourage you. Most of that time is spent in programs designed to prepare you actually to do the job well. If you’re curious about what Alabama school counselors earn once they’re in the field, that data is on the salary page.
I’m a Teacher in Alabama
If you’re already working as a teacher in Alabama, you’re in a strong position. You’ve likely got your professional educator certificate and educational work experience already counting toward your requirements.
The main additions to your path are the master’s degree in school counseling (if you don’t have it), the practicum (100 clock hours with at least 40 supervised), and the 600-hour internship in a P-12 setting. Many programs are designed with working educators in mind and offer evening or hybrid coursework. Your program advisor can help you coordinate placements around your current schedule.
Contact a school counseling program advisor or the ALSDE certification office at (334) 242-9977 with specific questions about how your current credentials apply.
I’m a Certified Counselor From Another State
Alabama participates in certificate reciprocity, meaning the state will recognize a valid professional educator certificate issued by another state, the District of Columbia, a U.S. territory, or the Department of Defense Education Activity. You’ll need to present a degree-level certification in an area where Alabama offers comparable certification, and there may be additional exams or experience requirements depending on your background.
Learn more about certification through reciprocity on the Alabama Achieves website. For questions about how your out-of-state credentials translate, contact the ALSDE directly at (334) 242-9977. Requirements vary by background and the receiving state’s rules.
Keeping Your Certificate Active
Once you’re certified, you’ll need to renew your Professional Educator Certificate every five years. Alabama requires at least 3 years of full-time professional educational work experience, plus 1 year of the following: 50 clock hours of professional development, 3 semester hours of college credit, or both. Keep track of your expiration date. Certificates can’t be continued before the calendar year they expire.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a teaching certificate to become a school counselor in Alabama?
It depends on the route. The traditional Class A path requires a valid Alabama Professional Educator Certificate in a teaching field before you can apply for school counseling certification. Some CACREP-accredited programs offer alternative entry pathways for applicants without prior teaching credentials. Confirm with your target program and the ALSDE which route applies to your background before you enroll.
How many internship hours does Alabama require?
Alabama requires a minimum of 600 clock hours for your supervised school counseling internship in a P-12 school setting. At least 240 of those hours must be direct contact with students. This follows the completion of your 100-hour practicum, which includes at least 40 hours of supervised counseling with elementary and secondary students.
What exams do I need to pass to get certified in Alabama?
The primary exam is the Praxis School Counselor assessment (test code 5422). Alabama’s AECAP requirements may also include a basic skills assessment, though acceptable substitutions and current policies can change. Confirm the exact exam requirements with the ALSDE before applying. Don’t rely solely on third-party sources for this.
How long does it take to become a school counselor in Alabama?
Most people take six to nine years from the start of their bachelor’s degree to full certification. That includes four years of undergraduate work, two to three years of graduate school with a practicum and internship built in, and time to meet professional educational work experience requirements. The timeline varies depending on whether you take a traditional or alternative route.
Can I transfer my Alabama school counselor certificate to another state?
Many states offer reciprocity for educators holding valid out-of-state certificates, but the specific requirements vary by state. Alabama’s K-12 school counselor credential is an educator certificate issued by the ALSDE, not an LPC license, so interstate portability works through each state’s educator certification reciprocity process. Contact the certification office of the state you’re moving to for the specifics.
- The credential you’re working toward is the Class A Professional Educator Certificate in School Counseling, issued by the Alabama State Department of Education.
- Field hours are substantial — 100-hour practicum plus a 600-hour internship, with at least 240 hours of direct student contact required.
- Confirm your route early — the teaching certificate requirement varies by pathway, so verify with your target program and the ALSDE before enrolling.
- Two key exams — the Praxis School Counselor (5422) plus a possible basic skills assessment. Confirm current AECAP requirements with the ALSDE before applying.
- Plan for six to nine years from bachelor’s start to full certification, depending on your background and chosen pathway.
If you’re comparing master’s programs, start with options that are CACREP-accredited and ALSDE-approved. That combination gives you the strongest foundation for certification after graduation.
