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South Dakota Links

How to Become a South Dakota School Counselor

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

Explore the information below and learn how you can become a school counselor in South Dakota. 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 South Dakota Department of Education at (605) 773-3134.

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…

As a high school graduate looking forward to continuing your education, you’re already ahead of the game. Now it’s time to learn what you can start doing today to help you achieve your career goals.

Below are recommended steps that will help you advance your current level of education and begin exploring whether a career as a school counselor 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; just work on earning an associate’s or bachelor’s degree.

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Step Two:

Volunteering is a great way to explore what it’s like to work with children and young adults. The following are links to organizations who can place you in volunteering positions across the state of South Dakota:

Finally, don’t hesitate to put yourself out there! The only way to learn what type of career will truly make you happy is to get out there and try them out. So, start volunteering or working in a public school and find out whether the South Dakota school counselor career is right for you.

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I have already earned a college degree…

The following are the steps necessary for earning your school counseling certification in South Dakota:

Step One:

Fulfill educational requirements through one of the following avenues:

Step Two:

You must complete at least 600 clock hours of a supervised internship as a school counselor.

Step Three:

You must fulfill South Dakota’s examination requirements.

If you complete a program that’s part of Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs (CACREP)-approved or recognized school counselor preparation program, you do not need to take the Praxis exam.

Otherwise, you must take and pass the Praxis School Counselor exam (5422). Learn more about registering for and taking this exam here.

Step Four:

Apply online through the South Dakota Educator Certification Portal.

For more information, contact the South Dakota Department of Education at (605) 773-3134.

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I’m a certified counselor from another state…

South Dakota does not offer the school counselor certification through reciprocity agreements. However, you can have your current credentials, transcripts and experience qualifications evaluated after applying online through the South Dakota Educator Certification Portal.

Upon satisfactory completion of the proper requirements and application you will be awarded a South Dakota school counselor certification.

For more information, contact the South Dakota Department of Education at (605) 773-3134.

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