Montana Links
How to Become a Montana School Counselor
Where are you on your quest to become a Montana School Counselor?
Explore the information below and learn how you can become a school counselor in Montana. 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 Montana Office of Public Instruction Educator Licensing Department at (406) 444-3150.
- 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…
As a high school graduate researching the Montana school counseling career, you are in a fantastic position to make the best decisions regarding your future career. Few individuals have the motivation and maturity to research professional careers before earning a bachelor’s degree.
So, keep reading and don’t hesitate to learn more about the Montana school counselor career. The following are recommended steps for learning how to earn an associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree and determine if a career in school counseling is right for you.
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 your educational journey by earning an associate’s or bachelor’s degree.
Step Two:
Volunteering is a great way to learn more about careers in the social services that are focused on working with children and young adults. The following are links to organizations who can place you in volunteering positions across the state of Montana:
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Montana
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Montana
- Montana School Directory
- Use this link to find schools near you. Contact these schools to find out if there are any volunteer programs you may participate in.
I have already earned a college degree…
The following are the steps necessary for earning your school counseling certification in Montana:
Step One:
Fulfill educational requirements through one of the following avenues:
Earn a master’s degree in school counseling, OR
Find more school counseling programs in Montana here.
You may also choose to earn a master’s in another field and then complete a school counseling program from an approved educational institution.
Step Two:
You must complete at least 600 clock hours of experience in a school or school setting. These experiences are usually coordinated through your school counseling preparation program.
Step Three:
You must complete a background check that includes requesting a fingerprint packet from the Montana Office of Public Instruction. Learn more about how to complete the fingerprinting process here.
Step Four:
Complete the free course available through the Teacher Learning Hub: An Introduction to Indian Education for All in Montana.
Step Five:
Complete your application for a Class 6 School Counselor Specialist license through Teach Montana (TMT), the Montana Office of Public Instruction’s online portal.
If you have any further questions regarding the process for applying for a Montana school counselor certification, contact the Montana Office of Public Instruction Educator Licensing Department at (406) 444-3150.
I’m a certified counselor from another state…
The Montana Office of Public Instruction recognizes school counseling certifications from other states. However, your certification and transcripts will still need to be evaluated to make sure all Montana certification requirements are met by your current qualifications.
You must complete an application for a Class 6 School Counselor Specialist license through Teach Montana (TMT), the Montana Office of Public Instruction’s online portal.
If you have any questions, we recommend you contact the Montana Office of Public Instruction Educator Licensing Department at (406) 444-3150.