collageHold a master’s degree or higher from a GaPSC-accepted accredited institution in any counseling area; or a Master of Social Work degree; or a valid State of Georgia Clinical Social Work license issued by the Professional Licensing Boards Division of the Office of the Secretary of State, O.C.G.A.
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How to Become a Georgia School Counselor
Where are you on your quest to become a Georgia School Counselor?
- I’m a High School Graduate.
- I have already earned a college degree.
- I’m a certified counselor from another state.
Explore the information below and learn how you can become a school counselor in Georgia. Some of the information below may be subject to change. In order to make sure you have the most current information, please feel free to contact your school counseling education program advisor or contact the Georgia Department of Education licensing department at (404) 232-2500.TOP PICKS
Featured Universities with School Counseling Programs
1. 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.
2. 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.
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.
I’m a High School Graduate.
As a high school graduate, you are in a great place to begin exploring career options in the field of education and school counseling.
Before being qualified to apply for a school counseling certification in Georgia, you will need to earn your Master’s degree. This may sound daunting, but right now all you have to do is begin earning your associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree in any field you like! You may wish to have an emphasis in counseling or psychology, however, specialization is not mandatory until you reach a graduate level.
The following are recommended steps for you to best prepare yourself mentally and with regard to fulfilling qualification requirements as a Georgia school counselor.
Step One:
Gather information from schools offering associate degree programs or bachelor degree programs in psychology, counseling or any type of program you are currently interested in. It is not imperative you enroll in a counseling program at this point. The only necessity is that you begin earning your associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree.
Step Two:
A great way to find out if you are interested in a social service type of career, like school counseling, is to find volunteering organizations who work with children or young adults. The following are links to organizations who can place you in volunteering positions across the state of Georgia:
- Mentoring programs offer the aspiring educator great hands-on experience in working with student aged individuals. It is a great place to learn whether a career in counseling or education is for you.
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Heart of Georgia
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta
- Big Brothers Big Sisters Athens County
- BBBS of Northwest Georgia (another section of BBBS in Georgia)
- Map of Georgia School Districts
- Use this link to find schools near you as well as each school’s contact information. Contact these schools to find out if there are any volunteer programs you may participate in.
Georgia is definitely in need of quality school counselors to help students transition smoothly from the always turbulent waters of youth to competent and confident citizens of tomorrow.
So, go ahead and see how you can be a part of Georgia’s future.
I have already earned a college degree…
The following are the steps necessary for earning your school counseling certification in Georgia:
Step One:
Fulfill educational requirements through one of the following avenues:
- Earn a Master’s degree in School Counseling
- New York University (NYU) Master of Arts in Counseling and Guidance – School Counseling and Bilingual School Counseling – MPCAC Accredited
- UMass Online (Master of Education (M.Ed.) in School Counseling – NEASC and State-Approved program)
- Earn a Master’s in any other field and then make sure you have been accepted in a school counseling program prior to applying for certification.
Step Two:
You will need to successfully complete the school counseling assessment of the Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators (GACE). You can more information about this exam, the test dates, locations, etc. on their website.
Step Three:
You will need to request official transcripts of all post-secondary education you have completed be sent to the Georgia Department of Education.
Step Four:
You will need to complete an application. You may download and mail an application or complete the application online at the following webpage. You can also find more information on the school counseling certification requirements in Georgia by clicking on the “school counseling” link under the heading of “Service Fields” on this webpage.
I’m a certified counselor from another state…
If you currently hold a professional school counseling certification in another state, you may be eligible for a school counselor certification in Georgia through reciprocity agreements.
However, certification is granted on an individual basis and your certification and experience will need to match specific Georgia Department of Education requirements for school counseling certification, or you will need to complete any deficit of qualifications you currently have.
On this webpage you will find information and links to more information on the procedure and requirements for earning your Georgia school counseling certification.
A Georgia guidance counselor works in public and private schools, career and technical programs, or secondary educational institutions to help students achieve academic and career goals. The Georgia Department of Education has developed pathways for students, which guidance counselors help them navigate on their way to college or career readiness. Counselors also address social and emotional issues, such as bullying and suicide prevention. School counselors possess academic and emotional counseling and coaching abilities. The state offers multiple paths to certification in school counseling.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 8% growth in national employment for school counselors as schools focus on developmental and academic student needs. Counselors earn a mean wage of $57,800 in Georgia. The Atlanta metropolitan area falls among the top metro areas for school counselor employment, with 5,520 working counselors. In this metro area counselors earn $60,720 annually.
Use this resource to help you plan your path to becoming a school counselor, with information on educational and licensing requirements and resources to use throughout your career.
Education and Experience Requirements
The Georgia Professional Standards Commission considers school counseling a service field. Applicants must complete an approved master’s program in school counseling and an educator certificate, plus hands-on learning opportunities. The state also provides licensing options for individuals without educator certification. Learn about specific academic requirements, exams, and license maintenance below.
Education and Coursework
Many school counselors begin their education with a teacher preparation undergraduate degree. This degree may focus on a specific content area, such as English or math, or a particular age group, such as early childhood or elementary education. Your undergraduate degree should meet the requirements for initial teacher certification.
Many graduate programs require an active teaching certificate and passing the Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators (GACE) basic skills exam for admission to a master’s program.
MANY GRADUATE PROGRAMS REQUIRE AN ACTIVE TEACHING CERTIFICATE AND PASSING THE GEORGIA ASSESSMENTS FOR THE CERTIFICATION OF EDUCATORS (GACE) BASIC SKILLS EXAM
The Georgia Department of Education approves teacher education programs, including school counseling programs, at Georgia colleges and universities. Learn more about counseling education and careers at Counselor-License.com. If attending a school in another state, check for programmatic accreditation. Georgia requires specific coursework for identifying and educating children with exceptional needs.
School counseling curriculum includes understanding the ethical and legal obligations of the school counselor, child and adolescent psychopathology, and counseling assessment and intervention. The degree requires 60 credits, completed over two or more years. Specific courses may focus on counseling theories, such as play therapy, trauma, the family system over the life cycle, or addiction.
Counselors also develop skills in crisis response and intervention, plus education administrator skills in areas of instructional leadership or organization and research methods.
Practicum and Internship
School counseling programs require hands-on practice in providing services to students in school settings. State-approved master’s programs include the first-semester practicum for three credits, plus a year-long internship during the second year worth six credits. Students assume a counselor-in-training role during their internship experience.
Application and Exam Requirements for Georgia School Counselors
Georgia offers induction and professional certifications in school counseling through the Georgia Department of Education, following requirements established by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission. The guidance counselor certificate allows qualified counselors to work with students in all public schools from pre-kindergarten through high school. All applicants must meet the Georgia standards of conduct.
Professional Certificate
The standard professional certificate requires completing a post-baccalaureate or master’s program in school counseling from an approved school. Applicants must already meet educator certification requirements, including passing the GACE exam in school counseling. The state also accepts applicants who hold a valid National Certified School Counselor credential.
Induction Certificate
The state offers an induction certificate for applicants without a teaching certificate at the request of a local school system. For this certificate, individuals should hold a master’s degree in a counseling area, a master of social work degree, or a license to provide clinical social work services in Georgia. Individuals must also pass the state’s program admission assessment exam or qualify for an exemption, either through minimum scores on other standardized tests or by presenting a professional education certificate from another state.
Non-renewable Certificate
The state also offers a nonrenewable certificate for individuals who hold a bachelor’s degree in school counseling or a teaching certificate in another field and who meet the induction pathway requirements. They may also possess an expired professional school counseling certificate. This license allows school systems to hire these counselors while they gain the education or experience necessary to qualify for a renewable license.
Out-of-State School Counselor Candidates
Individuals holding an active professional school counseling license in another state may apply for a Georgia certificate under the state’s reciprocity agreements. Georgia often accepts certificates issued by other U.S. states or jurisdictions, as long as the applicant worked full-time in their field for the past five years. Individuals without this experience must pass the Georgia content assessment.
ALL EDUCATORS IN GEORGIA MUST SUBMIT TO A CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK
All educators in Georgia must submit to a criminal background check before obtaining a certificate. School counselor applicants must also complete coursework related to special education.
If you hold a provisional or temporary guidance counselor certificate in another state, Georgia considers you an applicant for initial educator certification. The state evaluates your education to ensure it meets comparable standards to Georgia-approved programs. Often, this evaluation means your school earned approval from its state for teacher preparation or from an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
School Counselor License Maintenance and Renewal Requirements
You must renew your Georgia guidance counselor certificate within five years. The Georgia Professional Standards Commission requires educators to complete a criminal background check every five years with fingerprints. School systems typically submit the information needed for renewal for their employees, including an individual professional learning plan.
YOU MUST RENEW YOUR GEORGIA GUIDANCE COUNSELOR CERTIFICATE WITHIN FIVE YEARS
Additionally, school counselors must show continuing professional knowledge in their field. Continuing education credits or college coursework meets this requirement. Georgia requires completion of six semester hours of college credit during the five-year term, or 10 continuing education units. Continuing education units may include Georgia professional learning units, International Association for Continuing Education units, or U.S. Department of Education teacher-to-teacher workshops.
Resources and Organizations for School Counselors in Georgia
Several state agencies and professional organizations offer information and assistance to aspiring or new school counselors. These resources provide information to develop a robust career choice curriculum, deal with critical social and emotional challenges, or promote the need for highly-trained school counselors.
- American School Counselor Association: The national association for school counselors, this organization offers continuing education opportunities and a host of resources for practicing school counselors, particularly related to legal and ethical considerations. The organization also advocates on behalf of the profession.
- College Board: The site offers timely resources for high school guidance counselors to help students navigate the college application process. Resources include college and career readiness, student achievement, and paying for college.
- Crisis Resources: Learn to help students cope with traumatic situations and recognize the signs of post-traumatic stress disorder. This resource offers some tips for memorial activities, as well.
- Georgia Career Clusters and Pathways: Georgia offers 17 career clusters, featuring a variety of courses students can take to prepare for their future career. Counselors help educate students on the different clusters and offer career exploration for each field.
- Georgia Department of EducationLearn about the state department’s rules for student advisement, guidance counselors, and special services for students. Counselors may also review the guidance standards for each grade cluster.
- Georgia Department of Education School Counselor InformationThis site offers access to webinars counselors can use for career exploration, with videos on pathways and interviews with industry leaders. The site also offers webinars on other issues, such as digital safety, and bullying.
- Georgia School Counselor AssociationThis professional membership organization supports the student counselor role in improving student academic achievement, career development, and social development. The organization also advocates for counselors on the state and national level.
- Office of Civil RightsThe U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights calls on guidance counselors and other school personnel to ensure equal educational opportunities for all students. This site addresses the policies and practices adopted by schools to ensure they meet student needs.
- Professional School Counseling JournalThe journal features peer-reviewed articles focusing on research, theories, and best practices for guidance counselors. Membership with the American School Counselor Association includes access to the journal and its archives.
- Safe and Drug-Free SchoolsThis site from the Georgia Department of Education includes toolkits and resources for suicide prevention, bullying prevention, and substance abuse prevention and education. Counselors can also find resources related to child abuse intervention and referrals to appropriate state agencies.
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