In America, today’s school counselors do a lot more than their predecessors. It may be hard to tell from the outside looking in, but they help teachers and staff handle various issues, counsel parents, and sometimes play a crucial part in shaping education policy. They are a pivotal part of the student success equation, and they help schools create supportive and safe environments for students.

Want to become a school counselor in the United States, but want to know how? Don’t worry; the Edvocate has your back. Check out this guide that we created explaining how to become a school counselor in Connecticut.

Academics: Master’s degree and has completed, as part of or in addition to the master’s degree, at least 30 semester hours in a program in school counseling services as verified to an institution sanctioned for the preparation of school counselors.

Necessary Courses: (1) 30 semester hours of graduate credit in a program in school counseling services, including coursework in these areas: principles of developmental guidance and counseling, psychological theory as related to children, career development, Individual and group counseling procedures, pupil appraisal and assessment techniques and school-based consultation theory; (2) Evidence of practicum experiences in school counseling; (3) completion of study in special education comprised not fewer than 36 clock hours including gifted children and special-needs children in the regular classroom.

Experience Requirements: Possess an educator certificate or possesses or is eligible for an initial educator certificate and (1) has finished 30 school months of teaching experience or (2) A 10-month, full-time (700-hour min.) supervised school counseling internship.

Assessment: None

Is an Institutional Recommendation Needed?: Yes, must recommend for certification 068
Licensure: K-12

Licensure Reciprocity: Connecticut is a part of the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification Interstate Agreement. Under this agreement, to waive specific course requirements, Connecticut may accept completion of a state-sanctioned educator preparation program at an accredited institution from another state or at least 30 months of full-time experience under the other state’s valid educator licensure appropriate to the subject area being requested. The experience must be finished within 10 years of the date of application for Connecticut licensure. The interstate agreement doesn’t exempt candidates from the degree, testing, and/or experiential requirements applicable to the requested certification endorsement. Candidates who do not qualify for Connecticut licensure under the terms of the agreement must meet all of Connecticut’s requirements for the endorsement, including coursework.

Criminal Background Investigation: Yes, at point of hire.

Connecticut Department of Education