Become a School Counselor
How to Become a School Counselor in Oregon
Whether you see yourself working at the elementary, middle or high school level – or in a district supervisory position – George Fox’s school counseling program will equip you with the tools to succeed in your role of addressing students’ academic, personal/social and career development needs.
We offer three available paths to move you toward an initial Oregon K-12 school counselor license:
- Track I: The Master’s Degree in School Counseling is available to individuals with two or more years of documented experience as a licensed Oregon teacher.
- Track II: The Master’s Degree in School Counseling is available to individuals without two or more years of licensed teaching experience. Included with Track II is a five-credit sequence that includes a 100-hour teaching practicum.
- Licensure Only: A Certificate in School Counseling is available to individuals with a master’s degree in a mental health profession.
Become a School Counselor
Program Details
Master’s Degree in School Counseling
The master’s degree program is generally two to four years in length with 60 semester hours of coursework (62 for Track II students) required as a minimum for graduation.
Certificate in School Counseling
The licensure-only Certificate in School Counseling is generally two years in length with 34 semester hours (this can shift depending on what you bring in) of coursework required as a minimum for graduation. All classes are held at our Portland Center location.
Wondering how the program is organized? We offer this School Counseling Degree Guide document to help you plot your course.
Employment Outlook
Graduates of the program can expect favorable job prospects. U.S. News & World Report consistently ranks school counseling among its "Best Social Services Jobs" list. In addition, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects strong employment possibilities for school counselors, with demand expected to increase 8 percent between 2019 and 2029, much faster than the average for all professions.
Questions?
Sam Swan
Admissions Counselor, Graduate Counseling Programs