Nevada Links
Nevada School Counselors
Nevada’s school counselors are inspired to help students across the state succeed academically, socially, and behaviorally. Nevada school counselors are hard at work, bringing new ideas, professionalism, and their deep commitment to student success to classrooms across this southwestern state, from the bustling metropolitan area of Las Vegas to the sprawling suburbs to the remote towns scattered throughout.
- 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.
How Rural Nevada Schools Are Addressing Mental Health Access Shortages
Nevada may be the home of the all-that-glitters Las Vegas, but the majority of the state is comprised of rural communities, many of which struggle to recruit and keep school counselors and other mental health professionals.
As of 2023, about 87 percent of all of Nevada’s population resides in what the federal government deems a “mental health professional shortage area.” Both schools and communities suffer from a lack of mental health professionals, creating large deserts where students have few resources and pathways to mental healthcare.
A 2023 report by the University of Nevada Reno revealed that the state needs nearly 1,700 more mental health workers to fill positions in outpatient health and substance abuse centers across the state. A University of Nevada Las Vegas report revealed that Nevada had only 27 percent of the recommended school psychologists and just 3 percent of the recommended school social workers.
Nevada now ranks last in the nation for its overall youth mental health and its prevalence of mental illness and access to mental health services.
But need creates opportunities here, and many schools have begun getting creative in their quest to provide students with comprehensive mental health care services. Take the remote community of Wells, for example. This rural Elko County community’s high school has developed a peer-to-peer support program called Hope Squad to help students connect with their peers on issues related to mental health.
Students of the Hope Squad are trained to listen, talk with their peers, and even spot warning signs of suicide. They serve as a compassionate voice for students struggling with their mental health. And, if necessary, they refer students to an adult who can provide students with the necessary resources. Hope Squad is built on solid research that’s shown that students are likely to confide in a peer, resulting in more positive mental health outcomes.
In other rural Nevada schools, counseling interns have proven to be lifelines for overwhelmed counselors. University of Nevada Reno grad students from the College of Education and Human Development’s Counselor Education Program who are completing their internships at the Downing Counseling Clinic are stepping in to provide middle and high school students in Fallon with mental health services and ease the burden of school counselors.
These student interns screen students, provide individual counseling sessions, build valuable relationships with other members of the school staff, and collaborate with wraparound service providers in the area. Providing care to children and adolescents in underserved areas has allowed interns to better understand the need for mental health services in much of rural Nevada and about issues that are specific to rural populations.
The Downing Counseling Clinic is set to expand its student counseling internship program to Humboldt County, where student interns will provide telehealth counseling sessions to students ages 6-11.
What do Nevada school counselors do?
While career guidance counseling is an integral part of each student’s academic experience, social and behavioral guidance are equally important. According to the State of Nevada Department of Education, school counselors help students manage emotions and learn how to apply interpersonal skills. With a focus on the whole child, school counselors play various roles in promoting the health and well-being of every student in the system.
Here are a few key roles of the Nevada school counselor:
They promote college and career development.
Nevada school counselors adhere to state standards and develop counseling programs to help students understand the connection between school and the workforce. They help students plan for and make successful transitions from high school to postsecondary education or careers. They offer both individualized guidance and classroom guidance to inform, empower, and motivate students toward a bright and successful future.
They emphasize social and emotional development.
A key role of the Nevada school counselor is helping students learn to manage emotions and handle everyday situations with confidence and clarity. School standards help guide school counseling programs to encourage students to apply interpersonal skills. Counselors work closely with parents and school administration to uphold best behavior policies and identify struggling students.
They promote equality in learning.
Nevada school counselor professionals believe every child should have equitable access to a comprehensive school counseling program. They are diligent about including every student, no matter the learning curve or academic challenge. School counselors are trained to create rigorous curricula and make sure all students have equal access. They work with teachers to promote a positive learning environment for all students.
They provide responsive services and safety education.
In order to ensure school safety and preparedness, school counselors are trained to respond to issues and events that may disrupt the learning environment. They educate teachers, administrators, and students on best practices for handling issues related to bullying, substance abuse, and violence. They also offer safety preparedness classes to educate students and faculty for unexpected crises and emergency situations.
Why should someone consider becoming a school counselor in Nevada?
Job Market Trends
Nevada School Counselor Salary (median) 1
$64,960/year
Number of School Counselors Employed 1
2,300
Projected employment growth in Nevada 2
10.3% from 2022-2032
There are many reasons why someone should consider becoming a school counselor in Nevada, including the opportunity to educate and inspire the next generation.
Here are a few more reasons why someone should consider becoming a school counselor in Nevada:
- There’s no higher calling than improving the lives of students academically, socially, and psychologically.
- Nevada counseling professionals enjoy strong job prospects and job stability.
- There is an ever-increasing need for comprehensive school counseling systems in Nevada, which indicates solid job security and growth for the future.
School counseling professionals in Nevada continue to saturate the education system with new, exciting, and innovative ideas for its youth. By leading the way in academic and social success, school counselors in Nevada truly are bright and positive influences for America’s students.
Contact schools offering school counseling or mental health counseling programs and learn how you can begin a career as a Nevada School Counselor.
Whether you are from Las Vegas, Reno, Henderson, Sparks, Carson City, or anywhere else across the state, you will find school counseling a highly rewarding and respected career.
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.