How to Become a Mississippi School Counselor

Where are you on your path to becoming a Mississippi school counselor?

• I’m a High School Graduate…
• I have already earned a college degree…
• I’m a certified counselor from another state…

Mississippi’s requirements change over time, and the details below reflect what the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) currently publishes. Before you make a big decision, like which program to enroll in, confirm the specifics with the MDE Office of Educator Licensure at (601) 359-3483 or with your program advisor.

I’m a High School Graduate…

You’re already thinking ahead, and that matters more than you might realize. Many people come to school counseling after years in teaching or social work. You’re researching the path before you’ve started it. You don’t need to be in a counseling program yet. The first step is a bachelor’s degree, and it doesn’t have to be in counseling. Psychology, education, and social work are all solid foundations. You’re building toward a regionally accredited undergraduate degree that sets you up for graduate school later.

Step 1: Earn a bachelor’s degree.

Pick a field that interests you and that prepares you for graduate study in counseling. Psychology and education are common choices, but they’re not the only ones. Build strong academic habits and get to know faculty who can write graduate school recommendations when the time comes.

Step 2: Get some experience with young people.

School counseling is demanding work, and not just because of the hours. You’ll sit with students on some of the hardest days of their lives. Spending time with kids now will tell you things about yourself that a course catalog can’t. The job market is steady. Mississippi is projected to have about 240 openings a year for school and career counselors from 2024 to 2034, according to Projections Central, so there’s room for new counselors who finish the training. The most direct way to get experience is inside a school. Use the List of Mississippi School District Websites and Contact Info to find districts near you and ask about classroom aide jobs, after-school programs, tutoring, or volunteer roles. Even a support role gives you a realistic picture of the environment. Local youth sports, church youth programs, and summer camps count too. Getting involved early is worth it. Just keep your degree moving forward, because none of the doors in this career open without it. Back to the top

I Have Already Earned a College Degree…

This is where the formal path to a Mississippi school counseling license begins. The license you’re working toward is the Five-Year Educator License in Guidance and Counseling, endorsement code 436, issued at the Class AA level by MDE. Mississippi gives you three ways to qualify:

1. Hold a Mississippi five-year educator license, complete a master’s degree in guidance and counseling, and pass the Praxis School Counselor exam.
2. Complete an MDE-approved master’s program in guidance and counseling that includes a full-year internship, and pass the Praxis School Counselor exam.
3. Hold the National Certified School Counselor (NCSC) credential from the National Board for Certified Counselors.

Most career changers use Option 2. Option 3 is mainly for experienced counselors, since NBCC requires two years of work as a school counselor before it awards the NCSC. Here’s how the first two options play out. Danielle teaches fourth grade in Hattiesburg and already holds a Mississippi five-year educator license. She can enroll in a counseling master’s program, complete her coursework and fieldwork, pass the Praxis, and add the counseling license. Marcus has a psychology degree from Mississippi State and has never taught. His program must include a full-year internship in a school, and he’ll typically need to show basic academic skills, either an ACT score of 21 or higher or a passing Praxis Core score. His path takes longer, but it leads to the same license.

Step 1: Earn a master’s degree.

You’ll need a master’s degree in school counseling (or guidance and counseling) from an MDE-approved program. If you already hold a graduate degree in another field, you can complete an MDE-approved school counseling program on top of it instead of starting a second master’s from scratch. Programs accredited by CACREP (the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs) are built to meet most state requirements, but CACREP accreditation and MDE approval aren’t the same thing. Confirm both before you enroll. As of September 2026, CACREP lists five accredited school counseling programs in Mississippi: Delta State University in Cleveland, Jackson State University in Jackson, Mississippi Christian University (formerly Mississippi College) in Clinton, Mississippi State University, and the University of Mississippi. Delta State, Mississippi Christian, and Mississippi State each say their school counseling degree also meets the educational requirements for a professional counselor (LPC) license in Mississippi, which is worth knowing if you want the option to work outside schools later. You can read more about school counseling in Mississippi and compare a master’s degree in school counseling across states. Thinking about an online program based in another state? Ask before you apply. MDE doesn’t approve programs completed in other states, so graduates of out-of-state programs may need a letter from their university confirming the program leads to licensure in its home state, along with other documentation. Get the university’s licensure answer for Mississippi in writing first.

Step 2: Complete your supervised internship.

Mississippi requires a full-year supervised internship in a school as part of your master’s program. Your program arranges the placement, so you won’t have to find one yourself. Practicum and internship hours vary by program. For example, the University of Mississippi lists a 100-hour practicum and a 600-hour internship, while Mississippi State lists 600 hours for each. Ask any program you’re considering for its exact fieldwork plan and how it fits around a job.

Step 3: Pass the Praxis School Counselor exam.

Mississippi uses the Praxis School Counselor exam, test code 5422. Register through the ETS Praxis website, where you’ll find testing dates and locations. Most Mississippi programs build exam prep into the final semesters. For the current qualifying score and full exam details, see the Mississippi school counselor certification page.

Step 4: Get your program’s recommendation, then apply.

The order matters here. When you finish your program, your Mississippi educator preparation program submits an online recommendation to MDE. That recommendation must be in place before you submit your licensure application. You’ll then apply online through MDE’s educator licensure system. Plan to submit official transcripts showing your school counseling master’s and full-year internship, plus your Praxis score report. Download the current application checklist from the MDE Office of Educator Licensure and call (601) 359-3483 with questions before you submit. Check the current fee and any background check requirement at the same time. Most districts run their own background check before hiring, in addition to whatever the state requires for the license itself. Back to the top

I’m a Certified Counselor from Another State…

Mississippi will review your out-of-state credentials, but approval isn’t automatic. You’ll submit an application and MDE will compare your license and preparation against Mississippi’s requirements. If you hold the NCSC credential, you may qualify directly under Option 3 above. For the full out-of-state process, including what to send and how reviews work, see the Mississippi school counselor certification page. Then call MDE at (601) 359-3483 to confirm your situation before you send anything in. Back to the top

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to become a school counselor in Mississippi?

Most people finish in six to eight years: about four years for a bachelor’s degree and two to three years for a master’s program that includes the full-year internship. Studying part-time stretches the master’s portion. Already holding a teaching license doesn’t shorten the degree, but it does simplify the licensing route.

Can I keep working while I complete my internship?

It’s hard to keep a full-time daytime job during a full-year school internship, because the internship happens during the school day. Some people manage it with evening or weekend work, and educators already employed in a school sometimes have more options. Ask each program how its fieldwork is scheduled before you enroll.

Does my master’s degree have to be in school counseling?

Not necessarily. If you already have a master’s in another field, you can qualify by completing a separate MDE-approved school counseling program. If you’re starting fresh, a master’s in school counseling from an MDE-approved, CACREP-accredited program is the most direct path.

Do I need to be a teacher first?

No. Mississippi offers a route for people who have never taught, as long as their master’s program includes a full-year internship. You’ll typically also need to show basic academic skills through an ACT score or the Praxis Core. A teaching license isn’t required, but it does open the simpler Option 1 route.

Can I use an online or out-of-state program and still get licensed in Mississippi?

You can, but check first. MDE doesn’t approve programs completed in other states, so you may need a letter from your university confirming the program leads to licensure in its home state. Before you enroll, ask the program for its written answer on Mississippi licensure.