Introduction
When most people think of school counselors, they tend to conjure an image of a professional who helps with college applications during a student’s senior year of high school. For many years, school counselors were employed almost exclusively at the secondary education level. Middle school counselors are increasingly common in school districts across the country. This is due to both the greater emphasis placed on mental health in schools (especially in response to mass shootings and youth suicide) and the increased competitiveness of college applications. Middle school counselors help students stay on track academically and choose courses that best prepare them for both high school and beyond.
Keep reading to learn more about being a middle school counselor.
General Requirements
All professional school counselors must hold their school counseling license/certification (terminology varies by state) through their state department of education. For professional licensure/certification, applicants must have completed an approved master’s program in school counseling. A master of the arts (MA), master of education (MEd), or master of science (MS) is commonly awarded. In another article, we wrote about the benefits of choosing a master of education over other programs.
School counselors must also pass a background check and fingerprint clearance. Certain states may require a passing score on a specific exam, such as the Praxis II. Others require school counselors to have worked as teachers for a specific period of time. Some states also differentiate school counselor license/certification at the primary and secondary levels. Be sure to check your state’s department of education website for their exact requirements.
School counseling is a fulfilling but demanding vocation. It requires shouldering the emotional burdens of students with complex personal histories. It can require a fair amount of clerical work, e.g., record-keeping and scheduling. School counselors should enjoy working with people while also creating professional boundaries for their own self-care.
Professional Role of the Middle School Counselor
Like school counselors at all levels, middle school counselors are responsible for the social-emotional well-being and safety of their students. The most basic role of the school counselor is to create a safe and welcoming school culture. They also must treat all students with unconditional positive regard. Other typical responsibilities of middle school counselors include:
- Individual counseling
- Small group counseling
- Peer mediation
- Academic planning (e.g., course selection)
- Crisis response
- Behavior interventions
- Attendance/truancy
- Reporting suspected child abuse to the proper authorities
- Teaching classroom guidance lessons
- Assisting with 504 plans
- Assisting with Functional Behavior Assessments (FBA)
- Parent outreach
- Referrals to outside agencies
- Threat assessments (e.g., CSTAG model)
- Suicide risk assessments
- Coordination of services (e.g., McKinney-Vento students)
- Student advocacy
- PBIS support
…and much more!
My Experience As A Middle School Counselor
I describe working as a middle school counselor as “all the feelings, all the time.” Middle school counselors have to see the humor in many situations (especially during Valentine’s Day). Like all age groups, middle school students also have serious issues that need to be addressed. This is often the age of onset for eating disorders, drug use, and cutting as a form of self-harm, for example.
While I currently work as an elementary school counselor, I worked as the only school counselor in a K-8 school in 2021-2022. This was my first year working as a school counselor, and it was a crash course. Working in education post-pandemic was exceptionally hard (you may recall the droves of teachers resigning, which led to a nationwide shortage that many areas are still recovering from). There has been widespread discussion about the academic gaps in the “COVID kids.”
In my opinion, the social and life skills deficits were far more pressing. A recurring issue with sixth grade students was that at breakfast, a student would assume that another student who glanced in their direction wanted to fight them. This was a conclusion that multiple students jumped to throughout the year. We would all sit down and determine that, in fact, nobody wanted to fight anybody and it was all a big misunderstanding.
This was the year I also hospitalized the highest number of students for high suicide risk (four). Each year since, the number of students I have hospitalized has decreased (although this may be due, in part, to working with elementary school students). According to research by the CDC, “More than one in three high school students (37.1%) experienced poor mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, 44.2% of students experienced persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, almost 20% seriously considered suicide, and 9.0% attempted suicide.” My professional experience was in keeping with the rest of the field at the time.
My best advice for those looking to work as middle school counselors is first to find a school with a supportive administration and colleagues. Second, find a way to disconnect from your work in your free time. It’s easy to take the emotional burden home with you in this job. Developing some kind of ritual to separate your work from your personal life, like taking a long walk, meditating, or exercising, is crucial to maintaining a work-life balance.
Differences between a middle school counselor and an elementary or high school counselor
Middle school counselors typically work in an office on campus. Students will come to see them during lunch or a study hall period, unless they are sent by their teacher. This is different from an elementary school, in which students do not move freely throughout different areas of the school. Elementary school counselors may also see their students through classroom guidance classes instead of in individual sessions.
Like high school counselors, middle school counselors are responsible for making sure that students on their case load are on track for promotion to the next grade level. School counselors usually divide students by grade level or alphabetically. Most states require students to have a certain number of credits in Math, English, History, etc. Middle school counselors must counsel students who are not on track and encourage them to complete their work. The main difference is that in high school, school counselors must complete academic counseling alongside post-secondary planning.
How to Become A Middle School Counselor
Here’s a quick guide to becoming a middle school counselor in four steps.
1. Gain Experience Working In A Middle School.
While this technically isn’t required, those who want to be school counselors should first volunteer or work in a school setting before committing to a master’s program for school counseling. The reality of working in a school is often completely different from how people imagine it to be. Before committing to this career, make sure it’s right for you.
This does not mean you have to be a certified teacher (unless the state requires school counselors to work as teachers before receiving their professional certification). Working as a substitute teacher, paraprofessional, non-instructional staff member, or even volunteering are great ways to start. This can be done before, concurrent to, or after earning a bachelor’s degree.
2. Earn a Bachelor’s Degree.
To become a professional school counselor, you will first need a bachelor’s degree. This is because school counselors hold master’s degrees in school counseling. The good news is that you do not need a bachelor’s degree in a specific field. While some school counseling master’s programs prefer applicants to hold a bachelor’s degree in a related field (e.g., psychology, education), the majority do not. In fact, many school counseling master’s programs welcome and encourage students from all professional backgrounds.
3. Earn a Master’s Degree In School Counseling.
Verify which school counseling master’s programs are approved by your state’s department of education. Each state’s requirements vary. For example, some states require school counselors to have graduated from a CACREP-accredited program.
Complete all required coursework. This includes a practicum and an internship. A practicum is a shorter, less-intensive version of an internship in which students learn under a certified school counselor. A practicum is similar to shadowing. An internship involves a school counseling master’s student working directly with students and handling some of the responsibilities of a professional school counselor while under their supervision.
Students will often have to pass an exam in order to graduate and/or receive their certification. Common exams are the CPCE and Praxis II. This also varies by state and by program.
4. Apply for certification.
Once you have completed your school counseling master’s program, you must apply for professional certification or licensure. This usually requires submitting official transcripts, passing a background check, and being fingerprinted. Some states may require passing a specific exam.
Middle School Counselor FAQ
What is a middle school counselor?
A middle school counselor is an educational professional who supports the social-emotional well-being and safety of middle school students.
What is the difference between a school counselor and a guidance counselor?
School counselors used to be known as guidance counselors. As the duties of these professionals have shifted over the years, the term “school counselor” has become preferred.
Do I need a master’s degree to become a middle school counselor?
Yes. While some states may allow temporary certification for those without a master’s degree, all school counselors will eventually need to earn a master’s degree in school counseling.
How long does it take to become a middle school counselor?
A master’s degree in school counseling typically takes 2 to 3 years to complete. There are a handful of accelerated school counseling programs that take under 2 years. Keep in mind that some states require teaching experience in order to work as a school counselor.