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Wisconsin School Counselors
Wisconsin’s school counselors are hard at work implementing comprehensive programs to ensure student success.
The Badger State supports school counselors in their endeavors to design, deliver, and devote their time to enhancing the academic ability of all students. They fully utilize the latest up-to-date tools and resources to deliver individualized and classroom services designed to address three areas of student development: academic, personal/social, and career.
- 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.
School counselors in Wisconsin serve as leaders, advocates, and collaborators who are committed to removing any barriers to student success. Resulting changes from these school counseling professionals include increased student achievement, improved graduation rate, better attendance, and increased student participation.
A Look at the Push to Increase the Number of School Counselors in Wisconsin Schools
The story is the same throughout much of the nation: counselor shortages persist despite an increasing need for better and more comprehensive counseling services from kindergarten through high school. School counselors in Wisconsin face rising caseloads and diverse responsibilities aimed at addressing mental health, academic performance, and social-emotional well-being.
It comes as no surprise that many Wisconsin school districts have student-to-counselor ratios exceeding recommended levels, which affect counselors’ ability to address student needs. As of the 2023-24 school year, the average school counselor caseload was 362 students per one counselor; the American School Counselor Association recommends a caseload of 250 students per one school counselor.
The need for school counselors in Wisconsin is clear. A 2023 report revealed that nearly one in five students in the state had considered suicide in the past year. Mental health concerns among students have been rising steadily since the COVID pandemic. But there’s plenty of good news on the horizon in Wisconsin. School districts are getting the help they need through a variety of referendums, grants and initiatives designed to increase funding for counseling and mental health services.
For example, the Poynette School District, which has a student population of about 1,000 students, is home to four counselors, a school psychologist, and a special education liaison. A $9.25 million referendum in 2023 helped fund more mental health professionals throughout the district. The district has also begun using a tool called SABERS to identify students who may need more supports for emotional and behavioral issues.
And in the Ashwaubenon School District, a $2.8 million referendum was approved to provide funding to ensure that its nine mental health professionals remain on staff.
The state is coming through with funding, too. In 2020, they used a $10 million federal grant to help 11 districts increase the number of counselors, therapists, and social workers. Thanks to these federal dollars, they were able to increase the number of school counselors and other mental health professionals by 14 percent.
In 2024, a $2.2 million federal grant called the School-Based Mental Health Professionals Grant is being used to increase the state’s online certification pathways, university programs, and statewide and professional development opportunities for school counselors and other mental health professionals.
The state also supports school counseling through its Get Kids Ahead Initiative, which provides for about $31 per child for mental health resources. Governor Tony Evers hopes to see this amount increase to $100 per child.
What do Wisconsin school counselors do?
According to the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, the role of the school counselor is to keep kids healthy, safe, supported, and encouraged. School counselors are there to ensure that students have the academic and mental health support they need to thrive.
Here are few key things Wisconsin school counselors do:
They enhance school safety measures by addressing bullying, racism, and harassment.
Student safety is the number one priority of school staff and counselors across the state of Wisconsin. By setting standards and addressing persisting issues such as bullying, racism, and harassment, school counselors try hard to ward off potential problems and respond accordingly. With individual counseling and classroom instruction, these professionals lead the way for educators and students to enjoy a positive and safe school environment.
They recognize and recruit students who are college/career focused.
Wisconsin school counselors want nothing more than to see students succeed in high school and beyond. They recognize the strengths and potential of every student and offer individualized plans towards college and career readiness. This may include student/family guidance, financial aid assistance, and college/university scouting for the most beneficial route for the student.
They support educators to lead beyond the classroom into the community.
Raising the next generation of youth towards a positive and productive future takes team work. School counselors recognize the importance of their support for teachers, educators, school staff and families across the state. They encourage leadership inside and outside the school walls and promote community interaction from students and staff alike.
They promote engaged learning that motivates all children to reach their full potential.
Whether a student is focused on higher education or not, they are given learning opportunities to grow and expand their knowledge through engaging activities. School counselors work hard to ensure no student falls behind and is given equal opportunity to reach their full potential.
Why should someone consider becoming a school counselor in Wisconsin?
Job Market Trends
Wisconsin School Counselor Salary (median) 1
$63,690/year
Number of School Counselors Employed 1
5,280
Projected employment growth in Wisconsin 2
8.8% from 2022-2032
There is, perhaps, no more positive role in the public school system than the professional role of school counselor. They view each student from a “whole child” perspective and support them academically, socially, and emotionally.
Here are a few reasons why someone should consider becoming a school counselor in Wisconsin:
- Wisconsin is dedicated to supporting school counselors within the state and giving them ample support for their programs.
- Wisconsin school counselors are leaders in student advocacy and educational improvement.
These pioneers forge paths for students across the state of Wisconsin and work tirelessly to develop comprehensive programs. As leaders, advocates, and collaborators, school counselors work to improve graduation rates, increase student achievement, and open doors to higher education. Truly, they are professionals to be commended for their hard work and dedication to America’s youth.
Contact schools offering school counseling or mental health counseling programs and learn how you can begin a career as a Wisconsin school counselor.
Whether you are from Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay, Kenosha, Racine, or anywhere else across the state, you will find school counseling to be 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.