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North Carolina Links

North Carolina School Counselors

To be effective educational leaders and supportive student advocates, is at the heart of the North Carolina school counseling profession. By following their state motto of “To be rather than to seem,” school counselors in the “Tar Heel State” take action to ensure the academic, social, and emotional wellbeing of every student in the educational system.

Aligning themselves with the ASCA Mindsets & Behaviors for Student Success, school counselors in North Carolina work from the knowledge, skills, and training they have received to help students achieve academic success, college and career readiness and social/emotional development.

Featured Programs:
  • Top Picks

  • Featured Universities with School Counseling Programs

  • #1
    Capella University

    MS in School Counseling, PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision Click here to contact Capella 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
    USC - Rossier School of Education

    Become a professional school counselor in K-12 settings with an online Master of Education (ME) in School Counseling from top-ranked USC Rossier School of Education. Complete in as few as 20 months. Click here to contact USC Rossier School of Education 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.

Their over-arching goal is to increase the number of school counselors and school guidance programs to lower the student/counselor ratio and provide even more individualized guidance for every student in the state. With professionalism and purpose, North Carolina counselors will continue to take action for the betterment of the educational arena.

What do North Carolina school counselors do?

The North Carolina School Counselor Association (NCSCA) promotes excellence in their development of school counseling programs and personal achievement of all students.

Here are a few key things North Carolina counselors do:

  1. Offer responsive services

    Ready to implement school counseling interventions, North Carolina counselors seek to help students with their immediate needs and concerns. Through effective instruction and practiced techniques, school counselors teach and incorporate responsive services to everyday minor issues as well as critical emergencies.

  2. Ensure preparation for the transition out of high school

    From basic study skills and learning habits, to online research of college and career opportunities, school counselors are there to prepare students for the transition out of high school. They are vital in helping students bypass obstacles that may prevent them from continuing their education, and steering them towards the best college/career paths. For students who choose a different transition, school counselors can effectively guide them towards workforce opportunities and help encourage independent living beyond high school as positive, productive members of society.

  3. Foster a positive school culture

    Every school has its challenges to maintain a positive school culture, and school counselors are some of the best to foster a healthy and supportive environment. Not only are they trained to educate and inform, they are equipped to deal with issues such as bullying, drug/alcohol abuse, and school safety. School counselors in North Carolina work closely with teachers and faculty to advocate for positive learning environments and productive classroom instruction.

  4. Address behavioral and emotional challenges in the classroom

    North Carolina school counselors are not only advocates for students, they are advocates for teachers and school administrators. Often acting as liaisons between students and staff, counselors identify possible behavioral challenges and step in to counsel when needed. By evaluating the needs of every student, they are especially trained to guide students who are struggling emotionally or socially to handle conflict appropriately.

Why should someone consider becoming a school counselor in North Carolina?

Job Market Trends

North Carolina School Counselor Salary (average) 1

$53,510/year

Number of School Counselors Employed 1

7,380

Projected employment growth in North Carolina 2

7.6% from 2018 - 2028

1.) May, 2020 US 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 July, 2021.

2.) School Counselor projections data pulled from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections in collaboration with North Carolina State Employment Projections. Data accessed July, 2021.

Beyond the need for strong professionals to guide and counsel America’s youth, school counselors are much-needed in North Carolina and throughout the United States. For people who have a big heart for kids and want to make a lasting impact on the next generation, school counseling might be a great career option.

Here are a few reasons why someone should consider becoming a school counselor in North Carolina:

  • The average salary for a school counselor in North Carolina is $53,510 per year.
  • The need for student advocacy is growing, therefore the need for comprehensive school counseling professionals is growing as well.

“Effective leadership through action” may be the best description of a North Carolina school counselor. These professionals in the “Tar Heel State” are fine examples of leading the way for America’s youth. They will continue to advocate for every student in the state and work hard to implement necessary changes for the success of their educational programs.

Contact schools offering school counseling or mental health counseling programs and learn how you can begin a career as a North Carolina School Counselor.

Whether you are from Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro, Durham, Winston-Salem, or anywhere else across the state, you will find school counseling a highly rewarding and respected career.

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**Some states require completion of a state-approved School Counselor preparation program from a regionally accredited institution in order to be licensed as a school counselor. Capella University is regionally accredited and their School Counseling specialization is state-approved by the Arizona Department of Education. We recommend that you follow up with your state Department of Education (DOE) to determine whether Capella’s Arizona- approved School Counseling specialization meets your state’s licensure requirements.