How to Become a College Counselor

By: Devon Price, PhD

Last Updated: Dec 17, 2018

College counselors have the incredible responsibility of counseling students through some of the most consequential decisions of their lives. The term “college counselor” can refer to professionals who work in admissions, career services, academic counseling, or placement counseling, or to those who provide specialized psychological services in academic settings (typically a college or high school). In each of these roles, a counselor provides individualized attention to a student who is in the midst of making important decisions about course selection, job applications, financial aid, school admission, or graduation.

While the official duties of a college counselor are often fairly academic and organizational, they also can provide even more fundamental guidance to students experiencing academic difficulties or challenging life circumstances. As an in-house, licensed psychologist, a college counselor will often serve as the “first line of defense” when a student encounters personal difficulties, and can help direct them to many therapeutic and social services.

College counselors assist impoverished students and those with learning disabilities; they can detect and report abuse, or help a student suffering from mental illness. They can help underprivileged students seek out desperately needed financial aid, or assist prospective college students in writing resumes and admissions essays. Because of the wide variety of services they may offer and students with whom they interact, college counselors have the opportunity to make a significant difference in students’ academic and personal lives.

Workplace Details

College counselors generally work in two- and four-year colleges and universities, though many work in high schools or private preparatory schools to facilitate a student’s transition from high school to college. A counselor typically works a standard forty-hour workweek in an office setting, with a mix of scheduled advising sessions, open office hours, and meetings with other staff and faculty. Increasingly, though, part-time positions are available for college counselors as well, and counselors in high school settings often cycle through multiple locations rather than working full-time at one campus.

Counselors split their work time between direct interaction with students and administrative duties. While a great deal of time is directed towards speaking to students, faculty, and staff, there is a great deal of paperwork and many bureaucratic duties required as well. Counselors may spend hours per day organizing college applications, reviewing transcripts, editing personal statements, and helping students file other application materials.

Hover over any state to explore local income and job growth data.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for college counselors is $57,620. Although estimates show that counselors who work in secondary school settings earn more than those employed by colleges, counselors in secondary schools are often school psychologists who have advanced psychology degrees and perform double duty as college counselors. An advanced degree can increase salary expectations by $10,000 or more annually.

Job prospects for college counselors are on track to increase at or above the average for all occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts job growth of 8% over the next 10 years. Counselors with a master’s degree or doctorate in psychology will have the greatest job opportunities and security, particularly if this expertise comes with licensure. Additionally, college enrollment has increased considerably over the past decades; the continued upward trend will sustain the demand for college counselors.

Most college counselors will require at least a master’s degree, so the first step is to earn your undergraduate degree. Many college counselors hold undergraduate degrees in fields such as education and psychology, though this varies.

When it comes to landing a job, the college counselor with a master’s degree has a significant leg up on a counselor with an undergraduate degree. First of all, you may not even have a choice in the matter, because you’ll need at least a master’s degree to practice as a college counselor in most states. Depending on your career goals, you may require a graduate degree even if not required by your state; college counselors who provide psychological services usually must possess advanced degrees, such as an MS, PhD, or PsyD. Usually, college counselors who possess advanced degrees have studied either school psychology, counseling psychology, or, in rare cases, clinical psychology.

College counselors who do not provide formal psychological care usually receive on-the-job training from their employing institution through orientation and continuing education seminars. Job applicants with relevant work experience will be at a distinct advantage, however. Those who have worked in college admissions offices while still in undergraduate or graduate school should possess many of the requisite skills, and will be able to adapt to full-time work as a college counselor quite easily.

Those counselors who provide psychological care must complete graduate training in psychology, which usually entails a minimum of two to three years of study and includes a supervised practicum where the student practices under a licensed professional. Counselors who will be assessing students for disabilities or gifted student status will require advanced psychometric training.

No professional certification or license is required for college counselors who do not provide formal psychological care, although some seek to obtain licensure from the National Board for Certified Counselors or the National Association of School Psychologists. Those counselors who provide therapeutic services must have a state license to do so.

College counselors most often make career advancements by obtaining higher levels of responsibility within their employing organization, or by transferring to a larger or more prestigious institution after accumulating a few years of experience. Many counselors begin by providing temporary or part-time services in small or under-funded school districts and colleges. Over time, their role evolves into a supervisory or high administrative position within the school.

Commonly an aspiring college counselor will pursue a bachelor’s degree in counseling, psychology or education. This type of major is usually not a requirement for admission in graduate school, though it actually is a requirement in certain cases (some psychology grad schools). Also, choosing such a closely related undergraduate major can open doors to accelerated graduate programs afterward.

Counselors who have obtained their undergraduate degree in another field may find it advantageous for counseling students who are pursuing education or a career that resembles the counselor’s own undergraduate choices, such as sciences or history. For example, a college counselor who has earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biology may find that experience useful for counseling pre-med students.

Regardless of major, if you’re interested in becoming a college counselor, you will benefit from undergraduate courses in social science, natural science, research, and statistics. Also, try to get some work or volunteer experience with college-age students or in mental health settings.

Most college counselors train at the master’s level or higher in one of three mental health disciplines:

• Counselors treat specific issues in individuals, small groups, and families
• Clinical social workers diagnose and treat behavioral health issues within a larger social services context
• Psychologists provide in-depth testing, diagnosis, and treatment for more serious conditions. They must hold a doctorate to practice clinically.

Counselors and social workers (but not psychologists) can work clinically with a master’s degree. However, earning a master’s in psychology can be a helpful stepping-stone in gaining admission to a doctoral program.

Most master’s degree programs in counseling, psychology, and social work accept candidates from any major. However, a few psychology master’s programs require previous study in the field. In addition, students who major in social work as undergraduates may be eligible for accelerated master’s programs.

Most master’s degree programs are housed within four-year colleges and universities. When choosing a program, look for one accredited by:

• Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
• Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)

Graduates of accredited programs generally have an easier time getting licensed and certified and also have an advantage when it comes to doctoral program admissions.

Your classes and fieldwork will depend on your major, but all three disciplines can expect to study:

In addition, counseling and social work students (who will practice clinically after their master’s) often complete extensive internships totaling hundreds of hours. Programs in all three disciplines offer research tracks, which can be helpful if you later hope to earn a doctorate and work in academia.

Psychologists must earn a doctorate in order to practice clinically. Psychologists who work with college students are usually trained in either counseling or clinical psychology.

For counselors and social workers, doctoral studies can pave the way to careers in academia and research.

Programs in all three disciplines offer both research-focused and clinical doctorates. For example, students who want to work in academia usually complete original research and a dissertation in order to earn a Doctor of Philosophy degree, or PhD.

By contrast, those who intend to focus on clinical work don’t have to conduct research. Instead, they graduate with one of the following clinical degrees:

• Doctor of Social Work (DSW)
• Doctor of Education (EdD)
• Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

When choosing a doctoral program in the helping professions, look for one with discipline-specific accreditation. Graduates of accredited programs often have advantages when it comes to licensure, certification, and employment. Accreditors include:

• American Psychological Association Council on Accreditation (APA CoA)
• Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
• Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)

Psychology students should also verify that your program is eligible to participate in the internship match program.

Your doctoral coursework will depend on your discipline. Some common subjects within the helping professions include:

Doctoral students in all three disciplines also complete extensive fieldwork and practical training. Accredited psychology programs use a structured matching process to pair students with one-year internships. After earning their doctorates, psychologists also have the option to complete a fellowship in a specialty area of interest.

Psychologists with a few years of practice experience can pursue specialty certification through the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP). Candidates must hold a doctorate and state license and meet specialty-specific requirements.

The most common specialty certifications among college counselors are:

• Counseling Psychology
• Clinical Psychology
• Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology

Many counselors pursue voluntary certification as National Certified Counselors (NCCs) through the National Board for Certified Counselors. Graduates of CACREP-accredited master’s programs can sit for the exam upon graduation. Those from non-accredited programs must meet additional internship and supervision requirements.

Experienced social workers can gain specialty certification through the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Credentialing Center. The following certifications are most applicable to social workers working in college settings. All require a master’s degree and a few years of documented work experience.

• Qualified Clinical Social Worker (QCSW)
• Certified Clinical Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs Social Worker (C-CATODSW)
• Certified Advanced Children, Youth, and Family Social Worker (C-ACYFSW)

Because substance abuse disorders are common in the college student population, many college counselors hold certifications in addictions counseling through NAADAC. These certifications are open to all disciplines. Candidates must meet education and continuing education requirements and document experience and supervision hours in their specialty area.

Some useful NAADAC certification for college counselors include:

• National Certified Adolescent Addictions Counselor (NCAAC)
• National Endorsed Student Assistance Professional (NESAP)
• Master Addictions Counselor (MAC)