How to Become a Tennessee School Counselor
To become a school counselor in Tennessee, you’ll need a master’s degree in school counseling, a supervised internship in both elementary and secondary school settings, and a passing score on the Praxis School Counselor Assessment. The path typically takes two to three years after your bachelor’s degree. A teaching license is not required.
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Tennessee school counselors work across more than 1,800 public school campuses, supporting students from pre-K through 12th grade. Your path to licensure depends on where you’re starting from. The sections below break it down by your current level of education.
Some of the information below may change. For the most current requirements, contact your school counseling program advisor or reach the Tennessee Department of Education licensing department at (615) 532-4885.
I’m a High School Graduate…
If you’ve finished high school but don’t yet hold a bachelor’s degree, you’ll need to complete your undergraduate education before applying to a school counseling master’s program. Any accredited four-year degree meets Tennessee’s baseline requirement — there’s no required undergraduate major. That said, individual programs may have their own admissions prerequisites, such as GPA minimums or related coursework, so check with programs you’re considering before you apply.
Step One: Attend an Undergraduate College
Psychology and education are natural fits if you’re already leaning toward school counseling — they’ll introduce you to developmental theory, behavior, and the fundamentals of working with young people. That said, plenty of school counselors come from unrelated fields. What matters for graduate admission is your degree, not the subject.
Step Two: Test the Waters Through Volunteer Work
Getting into a school or youth-serving organization before graduate school is worth doing. It builds context for your training and helps you decide whether this career is the right fit before you invest in a master’s program. The following organizations can connect you with volunteer opportunities across Tennessee:
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee (Nashville)
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Tennessee (Knoxville & Kingsport)
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Clarksville, Tennessee
- Tennessee’s list of school and school district websites
Working directly with kids — whether through mentoring, tutoring, or a school volunteer program — gives you a real sense of whether you’re drawn to this work in practice, not just in theory.
I Have Already Earned a College Degree…
If you hold a bachelor’s degree, you’re ready to move directly into a master’s program. Tennessee does not require a teaching license or prior classroom experience to become a school counselor. You can enter the profession straight from a graduate counseling program.
Step One: Earn a Master’s Degree
The standard route is an accredited master’s program in school counseling. Tennessee also offers a second pathway for people who already hold a master’s degree in community counseling or mental health counseling: you can enroll in an approved school counseling program, complete additional graduate coursework (often around 30 credit hours, depending on the program and state approval requirements), and receive at least one hour per week of supervision from a licensed Tennessee school counselor.
Whatever program you choose, confirm that it’s designed to meet Tennessee’s licensure requirements before you enroll. You can also find school counseling programs in Tennessee on our Tennessee hub page.
Step Two: Complete Your Field Internship
Your internship runs alongside your coursework. It’s built into the program, not something you do afterward. Tennessee requires a supervised internship typically totaling around 600 hours, often completed over one or more semesters, depending on the program.
One thing worth knowing upfront: your placement must include experience in both a primary setting (pre-K through 6th grade) and a secondary setting (grades 7–12). You’ll need both to meet Tennessee’s certification requirements. Your program coordinates placements, but it’s worth asking about this early — especially if you have a preference for one level over the other. You’ll also complete a one-semester orientation as part of your preparation program.
Step Three: Pass the Certification Exam and Apply for Your License
After completing your degree and fieldwork, you’ll need to pass the Praxis School Counselor Assessment to qualify for your Tennessee license. Once you’ve passed, you’ll submit your application through the Tennessee Compass portal. Background checks are handled at the school district level — your hiring district will walk you through the fingerprinting process once you’re brought on.
For full details on the required exam score, application checklist, and license types, see our Tennessee school counselor certification page.
School Counselor or School Psychologist? How to Decide
When you think of the work of a school counselor, you likely imagine days spent having one-on-one conversations with students facing hardships. This is certainly part of a school counselor’s job description. Still, it isn’t the only one: school counselors are also involved in campus life as a whole, assessing the school community’s overall needs and designing initiatives to engage and support everyone.
This expansive role also defines the key difference between school counseling and school psychology. School counselors are trained in mental health support but differ from school psychologists in scope, assessment authority, and clinical specialization. A school psychologist is an expert in psychological assessment and student mental health diagnosis, and is less likely to be involved in broader campus-wide initiatives. It’s worth giving both roles your consideration and reflecting on your personal goals as you decide which path suits you best.
I’m a Certified Counselor from Another State…
If you already hold a valid school counseling license in another state, Tennessee offers reciprocity. Your credentials will be evaluated against Tennessee’s requirements. If you haven’t yet completed all of them, you’ll receive an Interim License and can practice while you finish any remaining requirements for full certification.
You can review out-of-state requirements and begin your application through the Tennessee Compass portal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What degree do I need to become a school counselor in Tennessee?
The standard path is a master’s degree in school counseling from a state-approved program. Tennessee also accepts candidates who hold a master’s in community counseling or mental health counseling, provided they enroll in an approved school counseling program, complete additional graduate coursework (often around 30 credit hours, depending on program and state approval requirements), and receive at least one hour per week of supervision from a licensed Tennessee school counselor. Before enrolling, confirm that the program you choose meets Tennessee’s licensure requirements.
How much do school counselors earn in Tennessee?
According to 2024 BLS data, the median annual salary for school counselors in Tennessee is $59,090. Salaries vary by region — counselors in the Memphis area tend to earn more than those in rural districts. Experience, additional certifications, and the grade level you work at can all affect your compensation.
How long does it take to become a school counselor in Tennessee?
If you already hold a bachelor’s degree, plan to complete your master’s program in roughly 2 to 3 years, including coursework and supervised fieldwork. Full-time students on a standard schedule typically finish in about two years. Part-time programs run longer depending on course load and scheduling.
Can I complete a Tennessee school counseling program while working full-time?
Many accredited programs offer evening or hybrid schedules designed for working students. The trickier part is the fieldwork — it’s a supervised internship that typically totals around 600 hours, and fitting that into a full-time work schedule takes planning. Ask your program about internship scheduling options before you commit.
- No teaching license required — Tennessee doesn’t require prior classroom experience to enter the school counseling field. You can come directly from a master’s program.
- Two pathways to the master’s — A school counseling degree is the standard route. If you already hold a master’s in community or mental health counseling, an alternative is a supplemental program with additional coursework and weekly supervision.
- Fieldwork spans grade levels — Your internship must include placements in both elementary (pre-K–6) and secondary (7–12) settings. Confirm placement options with your program before you enroll.
- Timeline is roughly 2–3 years — Starting from a bachelor’s, most full-time students finish in about two years. Part-time schedules take longer.
- Steady job market — Tennessee projects 560 school counselor job openings annually through 2032.
Comparing school counseling programs in Tennessee? Start with programs built to meet state licensure requirements — the right fit depends on your schedule, format preference, and where you plan to practice.
