Georgia School Counselor Certification

Georgia employs over 5,500 school counselors across the state who provide services to students in pre-kindergarten through grade 12. School Counselors believe that integrity, accountability, collaboration, dedication, transparency, and professionalism are the hallmarks of their work with Georgian students and their families.

If you would like to become a school counselor in Georgia, you can do so through an initial certification application, or through interstate reciprocity.

Featured Universities with School Counseling Programs

#1

Grand Canyon University

M. Ed in School Counseling (leads to initial Licensure) Click here to contact Grand Canyon University and request information about their programs.

#2

New York University (NYU)

NYU Steinhardt's accredited master of arts program in Counseling and Guidance: School and Bilingual School Counseling. Through this online program, you will gain the skills you need to become a professional Pre-K-12 school counselor, working with children and families in your community to foster academic achievement and success. Click here to contact New York University and request information about their programs.

#6

Butler University

Master of Science in School Counseling Click here to contact Butler University and request information about their programs.

#3

Walden University

MS in School Counseling - General Program. Click here to contact Walden University and request information about their programs.

#5

University of Denver

Master of Arts in School Counseling. Click here to contact University of Denver and request information about their programs.

#6

Campbellsville University

Online Master of Arts in Education in School Counseling Click here to contact Campbellsville University and request information about their programs.

Skip down to find information relevant to your situation:

• Initial School Counseling Certification
• Certification Renewal
• Certification Through Reciprocity
• Additional Certification Resources

Initial Georgia School Counselor Certification

There are two kinds of certificates issued to applicants for initial certification in Georgia: Professional Certification and Provisional Certification. Requirements for both types of certification follow.

Step 1: Education Requirements

Standard Professional Certificate

You are eligible for a Standard Professional Certificate in School Counseling if you meet one of the following options:

Completion of a state-approved certification preparation program in School Counseling at the master’s degree level or higher – the following is a list of schools offering online school counseling preparation programs:

Featured Universities with School Counseling Programs

#1

Grand Canyon University

M. Ed in School Counseling (leads to initial Licensure) Click here to contact Grand Canyon University and request information about their programs.

#2

New York University (NYU)

NYU Steinhardt's accredited master of arts program in Counseling and Guidance: School and Bilingual School Counseling. Through this online program, you will gain the skills you need to become a professional Pre-K-12 school counselor, working with children and families in your community to foster academic achievement and success. Click here to contact New York University and request information about their programs.

#4

Liberty University

Master's in School Counseling Online (M.Ed.) Click here to contact Liberty University and request information about their programs.

#3

Walden University

MS in School Counseling - General Program. Click here to contact Walden University and request information about their programs.

#5

University of Denver

Master of Arts in School Counseling. Click here to contact University of Denver and request information about their programs.

#6

Campbellsville University

Online Master of Arts in Education in School Counseling Click here to contact Campbellsville University and request information about their programs.

You must also have completed at least three (3) semesters hours of college credit with a grade of B or higher in special education. Applicants holding a valid National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) certification satisfy the special education requirement.

Provisional Certificate

You are eligible for a Provisional Certificate in School Counseling if you meet one of the following:

• Completion of a master’s degree or higher from a Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC)-accepted institution in any counseling area; or
• Completion of a Master of Social Work degree; or
• Hold a valid State of Georgia Clinical Social Work license issued by the Professional Licensing Boards Division or the Office of the Secretary of State

The Provisional Certificate is issued for one (1) year pending verification of enrollment in a GaPSC-accepted educator preparation program leading to certification in school counseling. Once enrolled in the program, the certificate will be extended for two additional years.

Conversion from the Provisional Certificate to the Professional Certificate will happen when the following requirements are met:

• Completion of a state-approved certification preparation program in School Counseling at the master’s degree level or higher; or
• Completion of a master’s degree or higher in a counseling area and submission of a valid National Certified School Counselor (NCSC) credential issued by the National Board of Certified Counselors; or
• Completion of a master’s degree or higher in a counseling area and submission of a valid State of Georgia Professional Counselor’s license issued by the Professional Licensing Boards Division of the Office of the Secretary of State

You must also have completed at least three (3) semesters hours of college credit with a grade of B or higher in special education. Applicants holding a valid National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) certification satisfy the special education requirement.

For more information about the education requirements for applicants to the school counseling certification, visit following GaPSC pdf document.

Step 2: Submit a Criminal Background Check

Upon hiring with a Georgia Local Unit of Administration (LUA), you qualify for a Clearance Certificate, which verifies that you have successful completed fingerprint and criminal background check requirements and have no convictions disqualifying you from employment.

For more information about the Clearance Certificate, including the process for completion and all necessary requirements, visit the following GaPSC link.