How to Become a Guidance Counselor in New York State
Guidance counselors, commonly referred to as school counselors, play an important role in any school’s team of educators and administrators.
School counselors can take on a variety of responsibilities, from helping high school students navigate the college application process to helping students of any age deal with challenging academic or personal issues.
An open door and open mind are critical for school counselors and being a good listener should be a top-requirement for the job, even if it’s not as quantifiable as all the academic prerequisites.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), demand for school counselors is expected to grow by 11% between 2020 and 2030, which is faster than the average for all professions.
Increasing demand for school counselors means that those who pursue the required education and experience should not have difficulty finding a rewarding job in a school that suits them.
But how do you become a guidance counselor in New York? Let’s take a look at the best options.
How to Become a Guidance Counselor
There are a few possible pathways to becoming a guidance counselor in New York. However, this page focuses mainly on the path for those who already have undergraduate degrees but are not certified counselors in another state.
Complete Graduate-Level Program
Earning a master’s degree in school counseling is perhaps the most straightforward path to becoming a guidance counselor. New York State does offer the option of completing a bachelor’s degree and 30 units of graduate credits to qualify for certification, but a master’s degree is likely to be more useful to help the career progress.
It’s a good idea to choose a counseling program that has been accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Programs accredited by CACREP, such as the Master of Science in Education (M.S.Ed.) in School Counseling and the M.S.Ed. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at The College of Saint Rose, have been evaluated to determine the rigor of their coursework.
Saint Rose is the only college in the greater Capital Region that has earned CACREP accreditation for its counseling and mental health programs. Graduates of CACREP programs have proven to be up to the challenge of high academic standards, and should they ever choose to leave NY, a CACREP-accredited degree would be a major advantage in seeking certification out of state.
Consider Part-Time Options
Professionals who are already working and want to pursue school counseling as the next step in their careers may find it difficult to find the time to commit to their education. Luckily, flexible options allow students to complete degrees without leaving a gap in their resumes.
At The College of Saint Rose, both the M.S.Ed. in School Counseling and the Certificate of Advanced Standing (CAS) in School Counseling programs offer flexible full- and part-time options to fit students’ schedules. Classes are held in the late afternoon and evening, with some weekend coursework, to allow working professionals the opportunity to earn their degrees quickly.
Apply for Certification
In NY, guidance counselors are certified by the New York State Department of Education Office of Teaching Initiatives. Graduates of the school counseling program at Saint Rose receive assistance learning how to get guidance counselor certification, which includes necessary internship experience before becoming eligible for full certification.
Learn More About the School Counseling Program at Saint Rose
Learn more about The College of Saint Rose school counseling programs and take the next step in your career today.
Request More Info
Request more information to learn about how the advisors at Saint Rose can help you achieve your professional goals or enter fields such as counseling. We’re eager to help you reach your full potential.
