Becoming a college guidance counselor.... a guidance counselor who works at a high school... (bachelors, degree)

[OptimusPrime69]

I currently work in undergraduate admissions at a public university. I am an Admissions Counselor. I have worked for two other universities in a similar capacity.....in admissions.

I'm starting to want to tweek my career path a bit and am interested in becoming a college counselor at a high school. Basically, helping students get into the schools they apply to. I have a pretty strong background in university admissions so I know thre process like the back of my hand. Does anyone how this works? ie...do I need some type of certification or anything to be a college counselor at a high school? I have a bachelors degree obviously, but was wondering being that I want to transition into a high school environment would I need some type of counseling certification or any special permissions? or can I simply apply for college guidance counseling positions with my bachelors degree and work experience?

[bler144]

If you're looking at public schools, yes, in most states you'll need to be licensed. There are a variety of on-line resources:

State Certification Requirements | American School Counselor Association (ASCA)

You could opt for the private school route - particularly if you work (or did) at a prestigious selective institution your experience might make you attractive as a candidate, and no need to go back to school to be certified. National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), NAIS Career Center|Find Your Career Here

Salary and benefits can vary, so you'd want to look at both the ease/options for jumping to a secondary school environment, as well as the long term prospects.

[L210]

The school district I attended had one type of counselor that did everything from helping to pick high school courses to helping students through their emotional problems. They were required to have a certain number of years of teaching experience and pass a certification test after completing a school counselor preparation program. My state also requires a master's degree.

[OptimusPrime69]

Originally Posted by bler144

If you're looking at public schools, yes, in most states you'll need to be licensed. There are a variety of on-line resources:

State Certification Requirements | American School Counselor Association (ASCA)

You could opt for the private school route - particularly if you work (or did) at a prestigious selective institution your experience might make you attractive as a candidate, and no need to go back to school to be certified. National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), NAIS Career Center|Find Your Career Here

Salary and benefits can vary, so you'd want to look at both the ease/options for jumping to a secondary school environment, as well as the long term prospects.

Thank you!!!

I ask because I saw a position open at a pretty prestigious private prep school not far from where I live advertised as "College counselor" .....it gave no specifics regarding certification, rather it required a bachelors degree and experience in admissions (preferrably at a selective university, which I currently have)....so before I applied I wanted to see if I needed to be certified or anything

[TabulaRasa]

It depends, state-by-state, for public schools, although private schools can structure it however they want. For public schools in each state I've been certified in, school guidance counselors (typically, they will perform catchall counseling tasks including, but not limited to, college prep) are not only required to be certified teachers, they also are required to have x amount of years of classroom teaching experience.