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Maryland Links

How to Become a Maryland School Counselor

Where are you on your quest to become a Maryland School Counselor?

Explore the information below and learn how you can become a school counselor in Maryland. 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 Maryland Department of Education Certification Assistance Line at (410) 767-0412.

Featured 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.

I’m a High School Graduate…

Right now, you are way ahead of the game. Take this time to begin learning more about the field of school counseling and whether it’s a good fit for you.

The following are recommended steps that will help you begin working toward a career as a Maryland 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, just that you work toward earning an associate’s or bachelor’s degree.

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Step Two:

Volunteering serves as a great way to find out if a career working with children and young adults is right for you. The following organizations will help you land a volunteering position in Maryland:

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I have already earned a college degree…

The following is the most travelled path to Maryland school counselor certification:

  1. Earn a Maryland-approved or Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)-approved master’s degree in school counseling, along with three semester hours of special education coursework

However, you may also qualify for school counselor certification through one of the following pathways:

  1. Earn a master’s degree in school counseling or school guidance and counseling, along with:
    1. three semester hours of special education coursework
    2. a valid National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC) certificate
    3. Two years of satisfactory performance as a teacher or school counselor in a school setting
  2. Earn a master’s degree in school counseling or school guidance and counseling, along with:
    1. three semester hours of special education coursework
    2. a valid National Board Certificate issued by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards in School Counseling

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I’m a certified counselor from another state…

If you are certified/licensed as a school counselor in another state, you must provide proof of the completion of at least 27 months of satisfactory performance as a school counselor and complete three semester hours of special education coursework.

You can learn how to complete the certification process by contacting the Maryland Department of Education at 410-767-0390 or [email protected].

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