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NCSC / NCC Path

Requirements

Because Option 1 applicants are not certified in school counseling by their state, they are required to document more specific educational requirements than Option 2 applicants. Both Option 1 and Option 2 applicants must document the same amount of post-graduate counseling supervision and school counseling work experience. A colleague's endorsement form is required for either option.

(for counselors who ARE NOT state certified/licensed as a school counselor:)

• You must hold an advanced degree (master's or higher) with a major study in counseling. Your degree must have been completed at a regionally accredited college or university. A list of regional accrediting agencies appears in the application on page 8. Important: degrees in education (teaching), special education, or administration will not be accepted.
• You must have completed coursework in each of the nine required content areas listed on pages 5 and 13-14 of the application, plus at least 6 semester/10 quarter hours of academic credit in counseling field experience(s). You must be able to document that you earned at least 3 semester/5 quarter hours of credit in counseling field experience(s) in a school setting. All coursework must have been completed at a regionally accredited university.
• You must have accrued at least 3 academic years of post-graduate counseling supervision and work experience as a school counselor in a PreK-12 school setting. This must be complete before you submit your application.

(for counselors who ARE state certified/licensed as a school counselor:)

• You must hold an advanced degree (master's or higher) with a major study in counseling or in a closely related mental health field. Your degree must have been completed at a regionally accredited college or university. More information about regional accrediting agencies appears on page 8.
• You must hold a school counselor credential issued by your state's department of education.
• You must have accrued at least 3 academic years of post-graduate counseling supervision and work experience as a school counselor in a PreK-12 school setting. This must be complete before you submit your application.