How to Become a School Counselor in South Carolina
To become a school counselor in South Carolina, you’ll need a master’s degree in school counseling or a closely related field, supervised fieldwork hours, and passing scores on the required Praxis exams. If you’re starting with a bachelor’s degree, expect the full path to take about 6 to 8 years. The South Carolina Department of Education handles all credentialing.
South Carolina Links
School counselors work with students across every grade level in South Carolina, supporting academic planning, social-emotional development, and career readiness. It’s demanding work. Caseloads are real, and the emotional load is heavy. But most counselors describe it as meaningful work. South Carolina projects 540 annual openings for this role through 2032, so there’s consistent demand for qualified counselors across the state.
Here’s what you need to know to get your credentials. If you have questions not covered below, you can reach the South Carolina Department of Education Office of Educator Certification at (803) 734-8466.
I’m a High School Graduate…
You don’t need a counseling-specific undergraduate degree to become a school counselor. What matters is that you earn a bachelor’s first, then follow it with a master’s in school counseling. That said, your undergraduate years are a good time to start building relevant skills and experience.
Step One: Obtain a Bachelor’s Degree
South Carolina, like every other state, requires a master’s degree for school counselor certification. Your bachelor’s can be in any subject. If you want to start pointing yourself toward this career, fields like psychology, education, or social work will give you a useful foundation, but they’re not required. The most important thing is finishing your degree.
Step Two: Pursue Local Volunteer Opportunities
Before you commit to a master’s program, it helps to spend real time working with young people. Volunteering gives you a clear-eyed sense of whether this career is actually a good fit, and it builds the kind of experience that helps in graduate program applications.
Here are some organizations in South Carolina that can connect you with relevant opportunities:
- South Carolina Mentor
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Carolina Youth Development Center
- South Carolina map of school districts
Getting into a school, even as a volunteer, gives you a realistic picture of the job that no course catalog can provide.
I have already earned a college degree…
If you hold a bachelor’s degree, you’re ready to start the certification process. Here’s what you’ll need to do:
Step One: Complete Your School Counselor Education
You have two main routes to fulfill the educational requirement:
- Earn a master’s degree in school counseling. This can be a Master of School Counseling degree, or a graduate degree in Counseling Psychology or Educational Psychology with a school counseling concentration. Either way, confirm the program prepares you for South Carolina’s credentialing exams before you enroll.
- Or, complete a master’s degree in any field and separately finish a school counseling program from an approved institution in South Carolina.
The Heart of School Counselor Training: the Field Internship
As you pursue your master’s degree, your education will consist of two simultaneous parts. One is your coursework, covering topics like counseling approaches, intervention strategies, and ethics in school counseling. The other is your field internship, also called a practicum, which you’ll complete at a K-12 school of your choosing.
While your coursework builds knowledge and conceptual understanding, your field internship is where the real skill development happens. You’ll work directly with students under the supervision of an experienced school counselor, doing the job before you’re on your own.
Most programs require around 700 total supervised hours, typically 100 hours of practicum plus 600 hours of internship in a K–12 setting. Check with your program for the exact breakdown required for South Carolina certification.
Step Two: Pass South Carolina’s School Counselor Exams
After completing your degree, you’ll need to pass South Carolina’s required credentialing exams. The specific Praxis exams required and their passing scores are detailed on the South Carolina School Counselor Certification page. That’s also where you’ll find the most current information on test codes and registration through ETS.
Step Three: Complete a Background Check and Prepare Your Application
Before the state issues your certification, you’ll need to complete a criminal background check, which involves submitting fingerprints through the South Carolina Department of Education. You’ll also need to complete your certification application through the South Carolina Department of Education’s online certification system, or follow current submission instructions on the SCDE website.
Step Four: Submit Your Application
Once you have your degree, exam scores, completed background check, and application in hand, you’re ready to submit everything to the SCDE. You can follow the steps outlined on the South Carolina educator certification page or call the Office of Educator Certification at (803) 734-8466.
I’m a certified counselor from another state…
If you hold an active, valid school counselor certification from another state, South Carolina may grant you certification through reciprocity. The SCDE reviews out-of-state credentials on a case-by-case basis.
You can find the requirements and contact information for reciprocity questions on the SCDE’s reciprocity page. The South Carolina School Counselor Certification page also covers what to expect from the process.
Frequently Asked Questions
What degree do you need to become a school counselor in South Carolina?
South Carolina requires a master’s degree in school counseling or a closely related field (Counseling Psychology or Educational Psychology with a school counseling track is a common option) for state certification. In some cases, counselors hold a master’s in another subject and complete a separate school counseling certification program from an approved institution. Your bachelor’s degree can be in any subject.
How long does it take to become a school counselor in South Carolina?
If you already have a bachelor’s degree, a full-time master’s program (including coursework and field internship hours) typically takes about 2.5 to 3 years to complete. Add in exam prep, application processing, and background check time, and you should plan for roughly three years from the start of your graduate program to receiving your certification.
Can I work while completing my school counseling internship?
Many students work part-time or in education-adjacent roles while in their master’s programs. The field internship itself, however, requires a structured schedule of supervised hours at a school site, which can be hard to fit around full-time employment. Some programs offer extended or part-time tracks to accommodate working students, so it’s worth asking about scheduling flexibility when you’re comparing programs.
How do I transfer my school counselor certification from another state to South Carolina?
South Carolina offers certification through reciprocity for counselors who hold a valid, active credential from another state. You’ll submit your out-of-state credentials to the SCDE for review. The South Carolina School Counselor Certification page provides full details on the reciprocity process, including the documentation you’ll need.
- A master’s degree is required — South Carolina does not offer a school counselor credential at the bachelor’s level. Your graduate program should be state-approved and prepare you for the required Praxis exams.
- The field internship is the core of your training — most programs require around 700 total supervised hours, typically split between 100 hours of practicum and 600 hours of internship in a K–12 setting.
- Exams come after your degree — once you’ve completed your program, you’ll need to pass the required Praxis assessments. Details are on the South Carolina School Counselor Certification page.
- Reciprocity is available — if you’re licensed in another state, South Carolina will review your credentials and may grant certification without repeating the full process.
- The job market is solid — South Carolina projects 540 annual openings for school counselors through 2032, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics projections.
Ready to take the next step? Once you have your master’s degree and field hours in hand, your next stop is the exam and application process.
