Delaware Links
Delaware School Counselor Certification
School counselors in Delaware earn grade level-specific certification. Counselors who work with students in kindergarten (K) through grade five (5) hold an elementary school counselor certificate, while counselors working with students in grades nine (9) through twelve (12) hold a secondary school counselor certificate. Counselors working with students in grades six (6) through eight (8) may hold either certification.
- Top Picks
Featured Universities with School Counseling Programs
#1
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.
#2
Walden University
MS in School Counseling - General Program. Click here to contact Walden University and request information about their programs.
#3
Campbellsville University
Online Master of Arts in Education in School Counseling Click here to contact Campbellsville University and request information about their programs.
#4
Liberty University
Master's in School Counseling Online (M.Ed.) Click here to contact Liberty University and request information about their programs.
#5
University of West Alabama
Master of Education: School Counseling & Education Specialist: School Counseling Click here to contact University of West Alabama and request information about their programs.
School counselors in Delaware serve more than 140,000 students enrolled in public schools. Each counselor is uniquely qualified to provide for the academic, social/emotional, and career preparation needs of all students. Additionally, school counselors provide leadership, advocacy, and collaborative efforts on each campus, ensuring students’ potential successes.
To obtain certification in Delaware, you must successfully apply for both a license and certification. The Delaware license will allow you to work in a Delaware public or charter school, while the certificate identifies counseling as the specialty for which you are authorized to work. For detailed information about this two-step process, visit the Delaware Department of Education website.
Initial Delaware School Counselor Certification
Delaware requires applicants to apply for either an elementary school counselor certificate, a secondary school counselor certificate, or both certificates, which endorses counseling with students in kindergarten (K) through grade twelve (12).
Step 1: Education Requirements
Elementary School Counselor Certificate
- Earned Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of a Master’s degree. Request information from the following schools to learn more:Sponsored School(s)Featured Programs:
- Top Picks
Featured Universities with School Counseling Programs
#1
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.
#2
Walden University
MS in School Counseling - General Program. Click here to contact Walden University and request information about their programs.
#3
Campbellsville University
Online Master of Arts in Education in School Counseling Click here to contact Campbellsville University and request information about their programs.
#4
Liberty University
Master's in School Counseling Online (M.Ed.) Click here to contact Liberty University and request information about their programs.
#5
University of West Alabama
Master of Education: School Counseling & Education Specialist: School Counseling Click here to contact University of West Alabama and request information about their programs.
- Earned Master’s degree in Elementary School Counseling from a regionally accredited college/university or earned Master’s degree in any content area from a regionally accredited college/university, which includes the following graduate course work:
- Introduction to School Counseling & Theories (3 credits)
- Human Behavior and Child Development (3 credits)
- Ethical Issues in School Counseling (3 credits)
- College & Career Readiness K-12 (3 credits)
- Testing, Measurements, and Research in School Counseling (3 credits)
- The Counselor as Consultant (3 credits)
- Special Education Law & the School Counselor’s Role (3 credits)
- Group Counseling (3 credits)
- Individual Counseling Skills & Strategies (6 credits)
- Family Counseling (3 credits)
- Principles and Practices of a School Counseling Program (6 Credits)
- Completed supervised school counseling clinical experience under the direct supervision of a State Department of Education certified Elementary School Counselor of 700 hours* in an elementary school setting, as part of a graduate degree program
Secondary School Counselor Certificate
- Earned Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of a Master’s degree. Request information from the following schools to learn more:Sponsored School(s)Featured Programs:
- Top Picks
Featured Universities with School Counseling Programs
#1
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.
#2
Walden University
MS in School Counseling - General Program. Click here to contact Walden University and request information about their programs.
#3
Campbellsville University
Online Master of Arts in Education in School Counseling Click here to contact Campbellsville University and request information about their programs.
#4
Liberty University
Master's in School Counseling Online (M.Ed.) Click here to contact Liberty University and request information about their programs.
#5
University of West Alabama
Master of Education: School Counseling & Education Specialist: School Counseling Click here to contact University of West Alabama and request information about their programs.
- Earned Master’s degree in Secondary School Counseling from a regionally accredited college/university or earned Master’s degree in any content area from a regionally accredited college/university, which includes the following graduate course work:
- Introduction to School Counseling & Theories (3 credits)
- Human Behavior and Child Development (3 credits)
- Ethical Issues in School Counseling (3 credits)
- College & Career Readiness K-12 (3 credits)
- Testing, Measurements, and Research in School Counseling (3 credits)
- The Counselor as Consultant (3 credits)
- Special Education Law & the School Counselor’s Role (3 credits)
- Group Counseling (3 credits)
- Individual Counseling Skills & Strategies (6 credits)
- Family Counseling (3 credits)
- Principles and Practices of a School Counseling Program (6 Credits)
- Completed supervised school counseling clinical experience under the direct supervision of a State Department of Education certified Secondary School Counselor of 700 hours* in a secondary school setting, as part of a graduate degree program
*Applicants who seek dual certification must have completed supervised school counseling clinical experience under the direct supervision of a State Department of Education certified Secondary School Counselor of 350 hours in a secondary school setting, as part of a graduate degree program and completed supervised school counseling clinical experience under the direct supervision of a State Department of Education certified Elementary School Counselor of 350 hours in an elementary school setting, as part of a graduate degree program.
For more information about the education requirements for school counselor certification in Delaware, visit this webpage.
Step 2: Submit a Criminal Background Check
Applicants must complete a criminal background check through the Delaware State Police. This check will include a fingerprinted state and national check completed by the State Bureau of Identification (SBI) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). In addition, the Delaware Department of Services for Children, Youth and their Families (DSCYF) will complete a Child Protection Registry Check.
For more information about how to complete the criminal background check for your application to the Delaware Department of Education, contact the Licensure & Certification department from 8 AM until 4:30 PM, Monday though Friday at 302-857-3388. You can also email a specialist at [email protected].
Step 3: Satisfy Examination Requirements
You must submit a score of 156 of higher on the Praxis II Test 5421 “Professional School Counselor.” To learn more about the Delaware requirements for the Praxis exam, visit the Praxis website.
Step 4: Organize the Application Materials
Your complete application includes the following materials:
- Names and addresses of all colleges/universities you have attended
- Official transcripts from all colleges/universities you have attended, including transfer credits that led to earned degree. For more information about official transcript requirements, visit this webpage.
- Official test scores for the Praxis II Test 5421 exam. For more information about official test scores, visit this webpage.
- Employment experience form(s), as applicable. The Teaching Experience Form (Form E) is located here. The Non-teaching Experience Form (Form E/NT) is located here. For more information about employment experience forms, visit this webpage.
- Verification of School Counseling Clinical Experience Form (Form C), located here.
- Copies of active and expired licenses/certificates (e.g., teaching licenses, counseling certificates) must be included with your application
For detailed information about required certification-related documents, visit the DOE website.
Step 5: Know the Fees
Application Fee $100
This is a one-time application fee that covers the costs for both a license and certificate. Upon employment with a Delaware public or charter school, you may be eligible for a fee reimbursement.
This fee must be paid with a credit card, not debit card, via online through the application portal.
For additional information about the application fee, visit the DOE website.
Step 6: Submit Your Application
Your application for a Delaware School Counselor certification is submitted online. To create an account in the Delaware Educator Data System and apply online, visit the DOE website.
Supporting documentation, including official transcripts, must be sent to the following address:
Delaware Department of EducationLicensure & Certification
Collette Education Resource Center
35 Commerce Way, Suite 1
Dover, DE 19904
Additional Information
If you need assistance with your Delaware School Counselor application, please contact the Department of Education Licensure and Certification office from 8 AM until 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday, at 302-857-3388. You can also email a department specialist at [email protected].
Delaware School Counselor Certification Renewal
License and certification renewals are managed through the school district or charter school for which a school counselor is employed.
Certifications are renewed each five years for school counselors who have met the professional development requirement of 90 clock hours. At least half of the hours (45) must be related to the counselor’s direct work with students (e.g., supportive guidance, career/college preparation).
Additional Assistance
For more information about how to renew your Delaware School Counselor Certificate, visit the DOE website.
If you have questions about your renewal application, contact the Licensure and Certification department via email [email protected] or call 302-857-3388 to speak with a specialist.
Delaware School Counselor Certification Through Reciprocity
The Delaware Department of Education considers licensure and certification by reciprocity for applicants who hold a full and current license/certificate in any U.S. state, including the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico.
If you would like to be considered for reciprocity licensure/certification, you must meet all requirements for an Initial License or Continuing License, successfully complete the Praxis II Test 5421, and follow the application procedures outlined here.
For more information about how to apply to the Delaware Department of Education as an out-of-state applicant, including a detailed checklist and steps to apply online, please visit the DOE website.
Additional Assistance
If you have questions about your application, contact the Licensure and Certification department via email [email protected] or call 302-857-3388 to speak with a specialist.
Delaware School Counseling Certification Resources
For resources to assist you with continuing education and other career development opportunities, see the following websites: