Study School Counseling in New York
According to the NYC Department of Education, approximately one million students attend a New York City school, which makes it one of the largest school districts in the US.
Because New York is one of the biggest and most diverse states in the US, many students, across all grades, struggle with major challenges, such as drug abuse, mental illness, bullying, inequality, domestic violence, and so much more – all of which can affect their ability to acquire the skills needed to excel in school and in their careers after graduation.
Along with academic implications, these issues can also affect students personally and socially, also hindering their ability to succeed in life. There is a need for more school counselors in New York – a need that grows by the day.
Prior to February 2023, New York State Education Department (NYSED) offered two types of certificates for school counselors – Provisional and Permanent. However, at the beginning of February 2023, this changed to Initial and Professional certificates.
If you want to become a school counselor in NY, look no more because all of the information needed to become one is included in this article!
What is Required to Become a School Counselor in New York?
The school counseling field is growing rapidly, and aspiring school counselors in New York must meet all the requirements for certification in New York before they can pursue employment.
Earning a master’s degree in school counseling goes beyond fulfilling the state’s educational requirements for certification.
Initial Certification for School Counseling
Pathway 1: Approved Teacher Preparation Program
If you opt for this pathway, you will need to register for and enter an approved New York State Education Department school counseling teacher preparation program designed for people who want to be certified as a New York State teacher, pupil personnel, or administrator.
Along with registering for and entering a teacher preparation program, you will also need to obtain an institutional recommendation, which is essentially an online statement from an approved New York State institution of higher education stating that you have been recommended for certification.
You should check with your program’s certification officer to ensure that this recommendation has been submitted to the NY Department of Education. The certification officer should also provide you with a student application information sheet that details what is needed to complete the online application.
You will also need to complete other requirements unrelated to your coursework, such as New York State teacher certification exams, and fingerprint clearances. Fingerprint-supported criminal history background checks are conducted through the New York State Department of Education.
You will also be required to take and pass a content specialty test (CST). This test is a required component of the New York State Teacher Certification Examinations (NYSTCE). The content specialty test is available for specific subjects and consists of both multiple-choice questions and written tasks.
More than one content specialty test can be taken – i.e. if you want to be certified in different areas. The purpose of the test is to determine your knowledge and skills in the subject(s) you are seeking certification in.
Lastly, you will be required to attend approved workshops in: Child Abuse Identification, Dignity For All Students Act, and School Violence Intervention and Prevention.
Pathway 2: Initial Evaluation
If you opt for pathway 2, you are required to have an individual evaluation. This pathway is primarily for people who have not attended an NY approved teacher preparation program.
To obtain certification, you must submit original documentation to the New York Department of Education for evaluation. You will also need to complete other requirements unrelated to your coursework, such as New York State teacher certification exams, and fingerprint clearances.
If you decide to pursue this pathway to school counselor certification you will have to comply with the education requirements. To obtain certification through this avenue, you must hold a bachelor’s degree with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 and accredited by one of regional accrediting agencies.
You must also complete at least 48 semester hours of following graduate coursework:
- Foundations in Professional School Counseling
- Career Development and College Readiness
- Supportive school Climate & Collaborative Work with School, Family, & Community
- Equity, Advocacy, and Diversity in Programming and in Support of Students
- Child Growth, Development, and Student Learning
- Group and Individual Counseling Theories and Techniques
- Best Practices for the Profession and In-school Counseling Programming
- Research and Program Development
You will also be required to complete the following practicums and internships:
- At least 100 clock hours of college-supervised practicum for school counselors
- At least 40 (out of 100) hours of group, individual & school counseling core curriculum lesson delivery practicum
- At least 60 (out of 100) clock hours of develop, implement & evaluate key school counseling program elements practicum
- 600 clock hours of a college supervised Internship
Along with the education, coursework, practicum, and internship requirements, you will also be required to take and pass a content specialty test (CST). This test is a required component of the New York State Teacher Certification Examinations (NYSTCE).
Lastly, you will be required to attend approved workshops in: Child Abuse Identification, Dignity For All Students Act, and School Violence Intervention and Prevention.
Pathway 3: Endorsement of a Certificate
If you opt to obtain certification through pathway 3, you must hold a valid comparable school counselor certificate in another state, and submit copies of each certificate to the New York State Teacher Certification Examinations (NYSTCE).
You must also hold a master’s degree or higher in school counseling with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
You must also have at least 3 years of satisfactory school counselor experience in a public school (grades K-12) in your previous state or territory or the District of Columbia (at least 5 years) before applying for certification in New York State.
You will be required to attend approved workshops in: Child Abuse Identification, Dignity For All Students Act, and School Violence Intervention and Prevention.
Professional Certification for School Counseling
Pathway 1: Approved Teacher Preparation Program
If you opt for this pathway, you will need to complete an approved program in school counseling. This program must offer the studies required for certification as a New York State educator and have prior approval from the New York State Education Department.
You will also need to complete other requirements unrelated to your coursework, such as New York State teacher certification exams, and fingerprint clearances.
Along with completing an approved program in school counseling, you will also need to obtain an institutional recommendation, which is essentially an online statement from an approved New York State institution of higher education stating that you have been recommended for certification.
You will also need at least 3 years of full-time pupil personnel experience as a paid school counselor. Understand that your employer will need to verify your employment using the Experience Verification form, If your employer uses another form or fails to verify your employment, your experience will not be counted towards certification.
To obtain school counselor certification through this route, you will need verifiable mentored experience (the guidance, support, and experience that you receive during your first year of teaching and/or counseling in a public school).
Once you complete your mentored experience, it must be verified through TEACH Online System by entering a superintendent statement and selecting “Verification of Mentoring.” Supervised experience must be verified by the employing school district superintendent.
You will also be required to take and pass a content specialty test (CST). This test is a required component of the New York State Teacher Certification Examinations (NYSTCE). The content specialty test is available for specific subjects and consists of both multiple-choice questions and written tasks. More than one content specialty test can be taken.
You will be required to attend approved workshops in: Child Abuse Identification, Dignity For All Students Act, and School Violence Intervention and Prevention.
Pathway 2: Approved Teacher Prep Program – Certificate Progression
To obtain a school counselor through this pathway, you will need to already hold a valid New York State entry-level certificate (initial certificate) and have completed an approved teacher education program. If you meet these requirements, you can progress to the advanced-level credential (professional certificate).
Along with completing an approved program in school counseling, you will also need to obtain an institutional recommendation, which is essentially an online statement from an approved New York State institution of higher education stating that you have been recommended for certification.
You will also need at least 3 years of full-time pupil personnel experience as a paid school counselor. Your employer will need to verify your employment using the Experience Verification form, If your employer uses another form or fails to verify your employment, your experience will not be counted towards certification.
To obtain school counselor certification through this route, you will need verifiable mentored experience (the guidance, support, and experience that you receive during your first year of teaching and/or counseling in a public school). Once you complete your mentored experience, it must be verified through TEACH by entering a superintendent statement and selecting “Verification of Mentoring.”
You will be required to attend approved workshops in: Child Abuse Identification, Dignity For All Students Act, and School Violence Intervention and Prevention.
Pathway 3: Individual Evaluation
If you opt for pathway 3, you are required to have an individual evaluation. This pathway is primarily for people who have not attended an approved teacher preparation program and those who do not hold a valid teaching certificate from another state or US territory.
To obtain certification, you must submit original documentation to the New York Department of Education for evaluation. You will also need to complete other requirements unrelated to your coursework, such as New York State teacher certification exams, and fingerprint clearances.
If you decide to pursue this pathway to school counselor certification you will have to comply with the education requirements. To obtain certification through this avenue, you must hold a bachelor’s degree accredited by one of the regional accrediting agencies.
You must also hold a master’s degree or higher in school counseling. In addition, you must have at least a cumulative 3.0 GPA. You must also complete at least 48 semester hours of following graduate coursework:
- Foundations in Professional School Counseling
- Career Development and College Readiness
- Supportive school Climate & Collaborative Work with School, Family, & Community
- Equity, Advocacy, and Diversity in Programming and in Support of Students
- Child Growth, Development, and Student Learning
- Group and Individual Counseling Theories and Techniques
- Best Practices for the Profession and In-school Counseling Programming
- Research and Program Development
You will also be required to complete the following practicums and internships:
- At least 100 clock hours of college-supervised practicum for school counselors
- At least 40 (out of 100) hours of group, individual & school counseling core curriculum lesson delivery practicum
- At least 60 (out of 100) clock hours of develop, implement & evaluate key school counseling program elements practicum
- 600 clock hours of a college supervised Internship
You will also need at least 3 years of full-time pupil personnel experience as a paid school counselor. Understand that your employer will need to verify your employment using the Experience Verification form, If your employer uses another form or fails to verify your employment, your experience will not be counted towards certification.
To obtain school counselor certification through this route, you will need verifiable mentored experience (the guidance, support, and experience that you receive during your first year of teaching and/or counseling in a public school).
Once you complete your mentored experience, it must be verified through TEACH Online System by entering a superintendent statement and selecting “Verification of Mentoring.” Mentored experience must be verified by the employing school district superintendent.
Along with the education, coursework, practicum, and internship requirements, you will also be required to take and pass a content specialty test (CST). This test is a required component of the New York State Teacher Certification Examinations (NYSTCE).
Lastly, you will be required to attend approved workshops in: Child Abuse Identification, Dignity For All Students Act, and School Violence Intervention and Prevention.
What are the Certificate Renewal Requirements in New York?
If you have received an initial certificate for New York pupil personnel services, but have not obtained a professional certificate for school counselor, you will need to renew your initial certification every 5 years until you are awarded professional certification for school counselor.
To obtain an initial renewal, you will need to three continuing education (CE) courses in: Child Abuse Identification Workshop, Dignity for All Students Act Workshop, and School Violence Prevention and Intervention Workshop. The application fee for an initial renewal certificate is $100.
Renewal is not required once you obtain a professional certificate for school counselor. A New York school counselor professional certificate is valid for life unless it is revoked or suspended by the New York State Department of Education.
What are the Requirements for School Counselor Certificate Reciprocity in New York?
School counselor certification can be acquired through reciprocity in New York. The reciprocity pathway is designed for people who already hold a valid educator or school counselor certificate in states that have a reciprocity agreement with New York State.
To obtain a professional school counselor certification in this manner, you must have already attended and graduated from a master’s level school counseling program and hold a valid initial or professional certification in another jurisdiction WITH at least 3 years of service in teaching, school counseling, or in something comparable.
Keep in mind that two of the three years must have been completed under the reciprocal certificate. You must also agree to fingerprinting and be cleared during all background checks, and you must successfully pass all New York State teacher certification exams.
How Long Does It Take to Become a School Counselor in New York?
Becoming a school counselor in New York typically takes around six to eight years, depending on the specific educational path you choose.
What are the Responsibilities of a School Counselor in New York?
In New York, school counselors are responsible for a wide range of tasks that support students’ academic, social, emotional, and career development. They help students develop academic plans, set goals, and select appropriate courses, closely monitoring their progress and addressing any issues that may hinder academic success.
School counselors in New York work alongside school administrators to advocate for programs and services that can improve a student’s ability to learn and retain information and that will positively impact a student’s academic success and later career success – in accordance with the guidelines and standards set by the New York Department of Education.
School counselors also provide information on college and career options, guiding students in exploring their interests and aptitudes and making informed decisions about their future paths. They may assist with college applications, financial aid, and scholarship opportunities.
Thus, school counselors in New York perform a wide range of duties, such as helping students address and cope with social, mental health, economic, family dynamic, relationship, and academic issues! New York school counselors are teachers, administrators, social workers, student advocates, and guidance counselors all rolled up into one!
Are School Counselors in High Demand in New York?
Yes, school counselors are in high demand in New York. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) cites New York as being one of the states with the largest need for school counselors and school psychologists.
The Bureau has also found that New York has the 3rd highest employment of school counselors and school psychologists in the nation. The projected outlook for school counselors in New York is expected to increase at least 3.4% from 2021 to 2031, which is quicker than the average for other careers.