Hawaii Links
Hawaii School Counselors
It could be said that students in the Aloha State are greeted with both professional and compassionate school counseling services that are developmentally appropriate and highly encouraging. According to the Hawai’i Teacher Standards Board, the ultimate goal is for students to become “positive, courageous, confident, competent, and caring human beings.”
With a focus on character development, as well as academic achievement, Hawaii stands out in their mission to guide students through life’s challenges and enrich their lives through comprehensive educational 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.
Not only do Hawaii school counselors promote college/career readiness, they focus on meeting even the most basic needs of each student to ensure they are able to reach their full potential. They are especially sensitive to home/life situations that interfere with academic success. They are uniquely qualified to address the physical, mental, and social wellbeing of students, as well as their academic progress.
Money Matters: Hawaii Adds Financial Literacy Education to Its Graduating Requirements
Hawaii’s school counselors know that success beyond high school requires comprehensive career planning and academic preparation. But financial literacy has largely fallen by the wayside in the grand scheme of career preparedness. Until now.
In 2025, the State of Hawaii enacted legislature (HB 936) directed the Department of Education to develop and implement a statewide financial literacy curricula plan for all 9-12 public school students.
Beginning with the 2026-27 school year, the Hawaii Department of Education will begin rolling out a financial literacy program. Once established, it will be a graduating requirement for all students. From spending to saving to investing to borrowing, financial literacy aims to prepare students to make smart financial decisions as they enter the real world as young adults.
All public high school students will need to complete a financial literacy curriculum that includes, at a minimum, the following topics:
- Budgeting and financial planning
- Saving, investing, and retirement planning
- Credit management, including credit scoring and debt management
- Taxes and tax planning
- Loans and interests, including mortgages, car loans, and student loans
- Fraud prevention and identity theft
- Economic principles and entrepreneurship
Financial literacy coursework may be implemented into a variety of programs and classes, including workshops, summer programs, online resources, and may include collaborating with public and private organizations and companies. It will also include training programs for educators. A number of schools will act as pilot programs in the 2026-27 school year to finalize and refine the curriculum for the program.
In addition to financial literacy, the Hawaii Department of Education is also committed to providing students with more assistance with college and career planning. Students will begin the transition program as soon as their freshman year, working on tasks such as building their resumes, completing personal statements, and researching different careers and college/university majors.
The new transition program will replace the personal transition plans that have been a requirement since 2007. School counselors are currently responsible for ensuring that students complete this graduation requirement. The transition program will be a major shift in student planning. According to Lynsey Bow, the counseling program director for Hawaii P-12 Partnerships for Education, most students don’t even begin working with a school counselor to consider their career and college options until the final months of their senior year.
Once implemented, Hawaii’s financial literacy graduation requirement will mirror about 15 other states that already have a mandated financial literacy curriculum in place.
What do Hawaii’s school counselors do?
Professional school counselors lead the next generation towards productive and fulfilling futures. Here are the roles and expectations of school counselors in Hawaii:
They plan, organize, and deliver school comprehensive programs.
By demonstrating a positive interpersonal relationship with students, parents, and staff, Hawaii school counselors plan and prepare the most effective programs to help every child succeed. From annual assessments to behavioral guidance to college/career planning, the successful delivery of these programs is accomplished through hard work and the continuing support of Hawaii’s educational department.
They implement a school guidance curriculum through the use of effective instructional skills and careful planning of structured group sessions.
School counselors in Hawaii are trained to effectively teach classroom sessions aimed at bullying, violence-prevention, and safety. By developing instructional strategies, they are more than just guidance counselors; they are also educators.
They collaborate with parents and school administration to ensure the effective implementation of the school guidance curriculum.
With the team effort of parents and staff, school counselors in Hawaii help students establish goals for college and career readiness. By implementing strong study skills and step-by-step planning, the school counselor collaborates with administration to ensure accurate interpretation of assessment data and implement agreed-upon school guidance curriculum.
They act as advocates for students.
Serving as leaders, collaborators, and advocates, Hawaii school counselors promote equity for all students. By using data results to recommend systemic change in school policy, counselors strive to make necessary changes to help every child succeed in their college/career goals. Any programs that limit or inhibit academic achievement are addressed by school counselors and tailored to better help students flourish.
Why should someone consider becoming a school counselor in Hawaii?
Job Market Trends
Hawaii School Counselor Salary (median) 1
$66,720/year
Number of School Counselors Employed 1
1,800
Projected employment growth in Hawaii 2
9.1% from 2022-2032
Apart from the lure of Hawaii’s paradise-like location, those interested in this profession will find Hawaii a great place to start their school counseling career. Here are a few reasons why someone should consider becoming a school counselor in Hawaii:
- Hawaii school counselors play an active role in helping students cope with difficult situations and teach them strategies to deal with conflicts.
- With the growth of its residents, Hawaii’s demand for qualified school counseling professionals has also grown.
- Hawaii school counselors make a positive impact on the lives of the next generation.
Hawaii school counselors are dedicated to providing guidance for every student, no matter the challenge. They are committed to counseling each student with professionalism and compassion, while leading them towards a bright and hopeful future. They set a beautiful example of leadership within the education system as they seek to encourage positivity, courage, and confidence in every student.
Contact schools offering school counseling or mental health counseling programs and learn how you can begin a career as a Hawaii school counselor.
Whether you are from Hilo on the Big Island, Maui, Honolulu on Oahu, or anywhere else across this pristine archipelago, you will find the school counseling career to be highly rewarding.
1.) May 2024 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics job market and salary figures for Educational, Guidance and Career Counselors and Advisors represents state data not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed May 2025.
2.) School Counselor projections data retrieved from Projections Central, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor. Data accessed May 2025.