School Counseling in Arizona

A career as a school counselor in Arizona can be very rewarding. School counselors aim to help students reach their full potential and succeed academically, socially, and emotionally. Duties range from helping students plan a road to future employment to helping students overcome serious challenges like addiction, depression, abuse, or adjusting to a new school.

School counselors in Arizona may work in elementary schools, middle schools, or high schools. In addition to helping individual students overcome specific challenges, school counselors also work with entire schools and classrooms to deliver instruction and age-appropriate activities to help students thrive.

Here you will find answers to your questions about how to become a school counselor in the state of Arizona.

What are the Requirements to Become a School Counselor in Arizona?

To become a school counselor in Arizona, you must earn a master’s degree in school counseling or a related field, complete the required coursework, complete a practicum, and apply for a certificate. It may be possible to obtain your school counselor certificate prior to completion of your coursework and practicum as long as you meet these remaining requirements in a specified timeframe.

Education and Experience Requirements

To become a school counselor in the state of Arizona, you must earn a School Counselor Certificate. A certificate allows you to work in all grades, PreK-12.

In order to qualify for a School Counselor Certificate, you must first earn a master’s degree (or a more advanced degree) from an accredited institution. More specifically, your advanced degree must be in one of the four specific areas of study. You must do one of the following:

  • Complete a Guidance and Counseling Graduate Program
  • Complete a Counseling, Social Work, or Psychology Graduate Program
  • Hold a valid Behavioral Health License
  • Complete an Academic Advising Graduate Program

In some circumstances, you may qualify for your School Counselor Certificate even if you have not met all requirements for Specified Coursework or Practicum/Experience. These circumstances are called Allowable Deficiencies and are outlined below.

Note that if you qualify for your certificate with an Allowable Deficiency, you will have a set timeframe in which you must complete your remaining requirements in order to maintain a valid certificate.

Allowable Deficiencies for Guidance and Counseling Graduate Program:

If you would otherwise qualify for a school counselor certificate but have not completed the Practicum/Experience requirement, then you may obtain your certificate as long as you complete one of the following within three years:

  • Complete a supervised counseling program, or Practicum, from an accredited university
  • Complete and verify two years of full-time experience as a school counselor
  • Complete and verify three years as a full-time teacher

Allowable Deficiencies for Counseling, Social Work, or Psychology Graduate Program:

If you would otherwise qualify for a school counselor certificate but have not met your coursework or Practicum/Experience requirement, then you may obtain your certificate as long as you complete one of the following within three years:

  • Coursework: Complete six semester hours of courses in any of these areas of study:
    • School counseling
    • College and career guidance
    • Academic advising
  • Practicum/Experience: Complete one of the following
    • Complete a supervised counseling program, or Practicum, from an accredited university
    • Complete and verify two years of full-time experience as a school counselor
    • Complete and verify three years as a full-time teacher

Allowable Deficiencies if you hold a Behavioral Health License:

If you hold a valid Arizona license as an associate counselor, professional counselor, master or clinical social worker, or marriage and family therapist, you may obtain your school counselor certificate as long as you complete the below Coursework and Practicum/Experience requirements within three years.

  • Coursework: Complete six semester hours of courses in any of these areas of study:
    • school counseling
    • college and career guidance
    • academic advising
  • Practicum/Experience: Complete one of the following
    • Complete a supervised counseling program, or Practicum, from an accredited university
    • Complete and verify two years of full-time experience as a school counselor
    • Complete and verify three years as a full-time teacher

Allowable Deficiencies if you complete an Academic Advising Graduate Program:

If you would otherwise qualify for a school counselor certificate but have not met your coursework or Practicum/Experience requirement, then you may obtain your certificate as long as you complete one of the following within three years:

  • Semester Hours: Complete six semester hours of courses in any of the following areas of study:
    • Ssocial and emotional development
    • Mental health counseling
    • Trauma and disaster counseling
    • Multiculturalism in counseling
    • Theories of counseling
    • The foundation of school counseling
    • Child and adolescent counseling
  • Practicum/Experience: Complete one of the following
    • Complete a supervised counseling program, or Practicum, from an accredited university
    • Complete and verify two years of full-time experience as a school counselor
    • Complete and verify three years as a full-time teacher

Examination Requirements

There are currently no examination requirements to obtain your school counselor certificate in Arizona.

Background Check

To earn your school counseling certificate in Arizona, you will need to pass a criminal background check. You can apply online for your Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) Fingerprint Clearance Card. The cost of a background check is $67. You will need to submit a photograph of your clearance card along with your school counselor application.

Certificate Renewal          

A school counselor certificate in Arizona is valid for 12 years. This is a standard, renewable certificate. You may renew your certificate up to six months before it expires and up to ten years after it expires.

If you renew your certificate within two years of its expiration, you may follow “Regular Renewal Requirements.”

In order to complete “Regular Renewal Requirements” to renew your Arizona school counselor certificate, you must:

  • Provide a valid Arizona Department of Public Safety (ADPS) Fingerprint Clearance Card
  • Provide proof of 15 clock hours of professional development hours for each year that your certificate covered. For a 12-year school counselor certificate, this means that you’ll need to demonstrate that you have completed 180 professional development hours during that timeframe.

Professional development hours may be completed in the form of college coursework and/or in-service trainings.

  • College Coursework
    • Each semester hour of college coursework counts as 15 clock hours of professional development
    • To meet documentation requirements for your college coursework, have your official transcripts sent directly from the institution or university to the Arizona Department of Education
  • In-service trainings
    • You may confirm your in-service trainings through the online AZEDCert Local Education Agency (LEA) portal if you work in an Arizona public school
    • You may confirm your in-service trainings by the Superintendent or HR administrator if you work in a private or out-of-state school or district
    • Approved License or Certificate
      • You may renew your license if you can provide the following:
        • Valid professional license as a counselor, social worker, psychologist, or speech pathologist in any state
        • Valid National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certificate
        • Valid Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech Pathology
        • Nationally Certified School Psychologist credential

How Long Does It Take to Become a School Counselor in Arizona?

The path to becoming a school counselor in Arizona varies. This means the length of time needed to become a school counselor also differs from one person to another. However, typically, after high school, you can expect to spend six to eight years preparing to become a school counselor in Arizona.

Many people will need to complete a master’s degree or higher in the field of school counseling and complete a supervised counseling practicum while enrolled in a school counseling program.

There are several variations to this path. For example, if you have a valid Arizona teaching license and you have already completed three years working as a full-time teacher, then you will not need to complete a supervised counseling practicum. You will only need to complete the required coursework for a master’s degree in school counseling.

A person who already holds a valid school counselor certificate in another state may be issued an Arizona school counselor certificate after simply submitting transcripts, a copy of their valid school counselor license, and passing a criminal background check in the state of Arizona.  

What are the Requirements for School Counselor Certification Reciprocity in Arizona?

If you hold a valid school counselor license in another state, you may qualify for a school counselor certificate in Arizona. The Arizona Department of Education will review your transcripts and current certification to determine whether you meet all necessary requirements.

You will likely be required to submit to a criminal background check and receive an Arizona Fingerprint Clearance Card.

Can You Be a School Counselor With a Bachelor’s Degree in Arizona?

A bachelor’s degree does not qualify you to become a school counselor in Arizona. You will need a master’s degree or a more advanced degree from an accredited university.

Can You Be a School Counselor in Arizona Without a License?

A school counselor certification is required to be a professional school counselor in Arizona.

What is the Role of School Counselors in Arizona?

Arizona school counselors are highly trained. They have earned at least a master’s degree in school counseling or a related field, have met the requirements to earn a school counselor certificate, and continue to grow through yearly professional development.

School counselors may provide short-term individual counseling and short-term small group counseling to help students experiencing academic, social, and emotional challenges or struggling with problems like abuse or addiction. They may make referrals for individuals in need of long-term counseling.

School counselors provide academic counseling and help students plan for future employment opportunities. They also provide lessons and learning activities in the classroom to help all students achieve their potential and may work with teachers on classroom management.

School counselors advocate for students at individual education plan (IEP) meetings and assist students with applying for college. School counselors may work in elementary, middle, and high schools.

What are the Career Opportunities for School Counselors in Arizona?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the field of school counseling in Arizona is experiencing a faster-than-average growth rate.

A career as a school counselor in Arizona can be rewarding. School counselors help students meet their academic, social, and emotional potential. They help students through crises and guide classes and schools to success.

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