School counselors might not be the first people that come to mind when we think of school staff. Yet their role is as important as any teacher or principal. Counselors take on a wide range of responsibilities. These include supporting students academically, addressing social-emotional needs and guiding career planning.
Effective school counselors help students navigate social pressure and guide them through difficult coursework. They also offer support during challenging times at home. They address developmental gaps that other school staff may lack the time or resources to handle.
Looking to become a school counselor or guidance counselor in Texas? Texas A&M International University’s (TAMIU) online Master of Science (M.S.) in School Counseling program equips graduates with the counseling skills needed to support students’ academic, emotional and mental development.
The program’s coursework blends counseling theory with hands-on clinical practice, preparing graduates to meet the full scope of a school counselor’s role.
What Does a School Counselor Do?
School counselors lead counseling programs that support every student in K-12 settings. The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) identifies three areas where counselors actively support student growth:
- Academic development: Helping students plan coursework, meet graduation requirements and build effective learning habits
- Social-emotional development: Providing counseling support, teaching coping skills and helping students manage challenges like anxiety, conflict and stress
- Career development: Guiding college planning, career exploration and postsecondary readiness
Many people think of school counselors primarily as college advisors, but their responsibilities extend far beyond that role. Counselors also collaborate with teachers and administrators on student-focused planning and connect students to outside mental health resources when students need longer-term support.
What Skills Do School Counselors Need?
Aspiring school counselors need both strong people skills and job-related competencies. ASCA’s Professional Standards and Competencies outlines these in detail.
People skills are the cornerstone of counseling work. Counselors must be clear communicators, good listeners and thoughtful speakers since they often serve as a point of contact for parents and related stakeholders. The ability to communicate across many types of communities is essential.
Strong communication skills also support collaboration within the school. Counselors work with teachers and administrators to build programs that address learning needs on a holistic level, and draw on their knowledge of students’ academic and personal lives to shape those programs.
Above all, counselors need compassion and empathy. They often step in during difficult situations, including creating psychologically safe learning environments for students in crisis. The ability to intervene with sensitivity and care is central to the role.
A working understanding of data is also valuable. Counselors gather and track information over time to identify problem areas and design support programs. Having data to support their observations helps turn anecdotal insights into evidence-based action.
What Kind of Education Do You Need to Become a School Counselor?
The path to becoming a school counselor starts with a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. Your undergraduate major does not need to be in counseling. Degrees in psychology, education, social work or human services all provide useful preparation.
After completing a bachelor’s degree, you must earn a master’s degree. The Texas Education Agency (TEA) requires school counselors to hold, at minimum, a 48-hour master’s degree in counseling from an accredited institution. In Texas, qualifying degree types include an M.Ed. in School Counseling, an M.A. in Counseling Psychology with a school counseling concentration or an M.A. in Educational Psychology with a school counseling concentration.
As part of the master’s program, students complete a practicum and internship in a K-12 school setting. This hands-on experience builds real-world counseling skills under professional supervision. TAMIU’s online M.S. in School Counseling program includes the educator preparation component required for Texas certification.
How Do You Earn a School Counselor Certificate in Texas?
Once you complete your master’s degree and educator preparation program, you will need to fulfill Texas-specific certification requirements. TEA outlines the full process, which includes:
- Completing a TEA-approved Educator Preparation Program (EPP), typically embedded within your master’s program
- Passing the TExES School Counselor EC-12 (252) exam with a score of 240 or higher
- Submitting your application through the Educator Certification Online System (ECOS) via your TEAL account
- Passing a national fingerprint-based background check
Once certified, your certificate is valid for five years. Renewal requires 200 hours of continuing professional education. You can review school counselor certification requirements by state through ASCA.
How Long Does It Take to Become a School Counselor in Texas?
Most candidates complete the path to Texas school counselor certification in three to four years. This timeline starts after earning a bachelor’s degree. A full-time master’s program with an integrated educator preparation program typically takes two to three years. Add one to three months for the TExES exam, ECOS application and background check processing.
Part-time programs take longer, often four to five years for the degree alone. Your total timeline depends mainly on whether you pursue your program full time or part time.
What Is the Job Outlook for School Counselors?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects school and career counselor employment to grow 4% from 2024 to 2034. That rate is about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 31,000 job openings are projected each year over the decade.
According to BLS, the median annual wage for school and career counselors and advisors was $65,140 as of May 2024. Texas has one of the highest employment levels for school counselors in the country. The Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston metro areas are among the leading markets.
Ready to Begin Your School Counseling Career?
Becoming a school counselor in Texas is more direct than it used to be. With the 2023 removal of the prior teaching-experience requirement, the path now runs straight from a qualifying master’s program to certification, opening the door to career changers from psychology, education, social work and related fields.
TAMIU’s online M.S. in School Counseling program does more than prepare you for the TExES exam. It builds the counseling skills you’ll rely on to support students and their parents while effectively working with colleagues and your community to ensure positive outcomes.
Explore TAMIU’s online M.S. in School Counseling program to learn how it prepares graduates for Texas school counselor certification.
Frequently Asked Questions
The path to becoming a school counselor in Texas raises a few common questions, especially around timing and requirements. Here are some quick answers to the ones prospective counselors ask most.
What degree do I need to become a school counselor in Texas?
You need a master’s degree from an accredited program, such as an M.Ed. in School Counseling, an M.A. in Counseling Psychology or an M.A. in Educational Psychology with a school counseling concentration. The programs must include an integrated educator preparation program.
Do I need teaching experience to become a school counselor in Texas?
No. Senate Bill 798 eliminated the classroom teaching experience requirement effective September 1, 2023, so you can move directly from your master’s program to certification.
How long does it take to become a school counselor in Texas?
Most candidates complete the path in three to four years after their bachelor’s degree, accounting for a two-to-three-year master’s program plus one to three months for the TExES exam, ECOS application and background check.
What is the job outlook for school counselors in Texas?
BLS projects 4% employment growth for school and career counselors from 2024 to 2034, with Texas among the states with the highest employment levels in the field.
About Texas A&M International University
Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) is a member of The Texas A&M University System. It serves students from across South Texas and beyond from its campus in Laredo.
TAMIU’s online Master of Science in School Counseling program prepares students for Texas school counselor certification while developing the skills to support K-12 students across school communities throughout Texas. The program follows the ASCA National Model and meets educator preparation requirements for Texas certification. Graduates are prepared to serve in elementary, middle and high school settings throughout Texas and beyond.
