School counseling is integrated into public education, and school counselors take a far more comprehensive approach to student success. The ASCA considers school counseling to be a proactive approach that leads to measurable results. Modern school counseling does cover vocational assessments and training, but it also explores aspects of the social, emotional, behavioral and mental wellness of students to ensure academic success. School counselors are trained to assist students with everything from applying to college to connecting students with resources that may help them cope with traumatic events or crises.
School counselors take an active role in developing complex guidance curriculums that are meant to apply to all students and reduce the success gap for students with obstacles to their learning, such as limited English fluency. The ASCA states that the ideal caseload per counselor is 250 students. The high importance of professional counseling in elementary, middle and high schools means that school counselors require a high level of training and professionalism. School counselors must hold a minimum of a master’s degree in school counseling to qualify for licensure in their state.2
School guidance curriculums typically require that students at the high school level have some interaction with a professional counselor to ensure that they have post-graduation plans and that they have access to school counseling if problems in their life are poorly impacting their academic success.
Consider beginning your journey as a school counselor at Grand Canyon University’s College of Humanities and Social Sciences with our Bachelor of Science in Psychology degree program. This program can help to provide the foundations you need for advanced education in psychology or counseling. You can be eligible to obtain initial licensure as a school counselor following the completion of our Master of Education in School Counseling degree program. To learn more about our college, please fill out the form on this page to speak to a university counselor.
Retrieved from:
1 American School Counselor Association. School Counselor Roles & Ratios (Guidance Counselor vs. School Counselor). Retrieved on Jan. 3, 2024.
2 American School Counselor Association. School Counselor Roles & Ratios (The Role of the School Counselor). Retrieved on Jan. 3, 2024
