How to Become a School Counselor in Louisiana for 2025

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Becoming a school counselor in Louisiana offers both professional fulfillment and strong career prospects, with the state projecting a 12% growth in positions over the next decade. Competitive salaries compared to neighboring states further enhance the appeal, making this role an attractive option for those passionate about guiding students’ academic and personal growth.

Drawing on extensive research, this article outlines Louisiana’s certification requirements, educational prerequisites, salary expectations, and other key factors to provide a clear roadmap for launching a successful counseling career.

Key Things to Know About Becoming a School Counselor in Louisiana

The state projects a 12% growth in school counseling positions over the next decade.
Candidates must complete the Louisiana Department of Education’s certification requirements, including passing the Praxis School Counselor exam and fulfilling a supervised internship.
Louisiana school counselors earn an average salary of $58,000, reflecting the increasing demand for qualified professionals in K–12 education settings.

What degree do I need to become a school counselor in Louisiana?
Are there school counseling specializations in Louisiana?
How long does it take to complete a school counseling degree in Louisiana?
What certification is required to work as a school counselor in Louisiana?
Can I transfer my Louisiana school counseling license between states?
How often do Louisiana school counselors need to renew their credentials?
What are the alternative pathways to become a school counselor in Louisiana?
What is the average salary of school counselors in Louisiana?
What is the job outlook for school counselors in Louisiana?
What are the career advancement opportunities for school counselors in Louisiana?
How can school counselors maintain ongoing professional development?
Other Things You Need to Know About Becoming a School Counselor in Louisiana

What degree do I need to become a school counselor in Louisiana?

Becoming a school counselor in Louisiana requires completing specific graduate-level degrees designed to prepare professionals for effective practice in K-12 settings. The following outlines the essential degrees involved in meeting the school counselor degree requirements.

Master’s Degree in School Counseling (CACREP-Accredited): Completion of a master’s degree from a program accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP) is mandatory, typically involving 2.5 to three years of full-time study focused on advanced counseling theory and practice.
Practicum in Counseling: Candidates must complete a practicum within a CACREP-accredited program that includes at least 100 direct contact hours in a school environment, providing vital hands-on experience with students.
Internship in Counseling: An internship consisting of a minimum of 600 contact hours in a school setting is required to develop practical skills and professional confidence as a school counselor.
Degree Examples: Accredited institutions in Louisiana offer programs such as Master of Education (M.Ed.) or Master of Arts (M.A.) with concentrations in school counseling that fulfill state certification prerequisites.

These requirements ensure that candidates pursuing a master’s in school counseling in Louisiana adhere to rigorous academic and practical standards. For detailed insights into related counseling career requirements, prospective students can consult comprehensive resources online.

Are there school counseling specializations in Louisiana?

CACREP-accredited programs in Louisiana offer specialized training that equips candidates with the knowledge and skills necessary for effective school counseling practice. These school counseling specializations focus on diverse areas to meet the evolving needs of K-12 students and educational communities.

K-12 School Counseling: Prepares counselors to support academic, career, and personal/social development across all school levels using comprehensive, collaborative models. This foundational specialization ensures that counselors can meet the diverse needs of students, and the image at the end of this section highlights the number of public schools that still lack access to a school counselor, underscoring the importance of expanding services.
Multicultural and Diversity Counseling: Emphasizes equity and inclusion by training counselors to work effectively with students from varied cultural, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Leadership and Advocacy: Develops skills in systemic change and policy advocacy, enabling counselors to act as leaders who remove barriers to student success.
Consultation and Collaboration: Focuses on engaging with teachers, parents, and community partners to enhance student outcomes through teamwork and stakeholder involvement.
Crisis and Trauma Response: Trains counselors to provide trauma-informed support and interventions during student emergencies or challenging situations.
Career and College Readiness: Guides students in career exploration and postsecondary planning, facilitating smooth transitions to further education or employment.

These specialized concentrations form essential components of the comprehensive school counselor degree concentrations that Louisiana offers, ensuring graduates meet certification requirements and are prepared for professional practice. Many programs include extensive practicum and internship hours to develop hands-on experience aligned with national standards.

For those seeking licensure beyond school counseling, such as Licensed Professional Counselor certification, understanding the pathways to LPC careers is an important consideration.

public schools reporting having no school counselor

How long does it take to complete a school counseling degree in Louisiana?

Completing a master’s degree in school counseling in Louisiana typically takes about three years of full-time study, though some students explore the fastest way to become a counselor through accelerated options when available.

Most programs, such as those at Southeastern Louisiana University and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, require a 60-credit-hour curriculum. They also include 600 to 700 hours of supervised practicum and internship experience in K-12 settings to meet state and national accreditation standards.

Several factors influence the timeline for degree completion:

Practicum and Internship Requirements: These 600–700 hours of supervised fieldwork are usually completed in the latter half of the program and may slow progress for students balancing work or part-time study.
Credit Hour Expectations: Full-time students generally take 9–12 credits per semester to finish in three years, while part-time enrollment extends the duration depending on course load.
Certification and Licensing Processes: After graduation, candidates must pass the Praxis exam for school counseling certification. Additional credentials, such as Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or National Certified School Counselor (NCSC), require further supervised experience and exams.

Louisiana’s school counseling programs are accredited by CACREP and the Louisiana Department of Education, ensuring they meet rigorous professional standards. While some universities offer accelerated options with faculty approval, most students follow the standard three-year path, and part-time learners may take longer, especially when balancing work or family commitments.

As of 2025, most school counselors worked in the education sector, while the rest were in private organizations outside traditional education, government agencies, and the public sector beyond education, as shown in the chart below.

What certification is required to work as a school counselor in Louisiana?

To practice as a school counselor in Louisiana public K-12 schools, candidates must obtain the specialized School Counselor K-12 certification issued by the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE). This credential is distinct from general teaching licenses and specifically validates the candidate’s professional competence in school counseling.

The certification process involves several critical steps to ensure readiness and adherence to state standards:

Pass Required Examinations: Candidates must pass the Praxis Professional School Counselor exam (test code 5421 or its current version), which evaluates both theoretical knowledge and applied counseling skills relevant to educational settings.
Complete Supervised Internship: A supervised internship in a school environment is mandatory, verified by the graduate program, and meets state guidelines for duration and supervision quality.
Submit Background Check: Applicants undergo a thorough criminal background check, including fingerprinting, to confirm suitability for working with minors.
Apply for Certification: Submission of an application to the LDOE requires official transcripts, Praxis exam results, internship verification, and background clearance documentation.
Adhere to Continuing Education: Certified counselors must fulfill ongoing professional development requirements to maintain licensure through periodic renewal.

Can I transfer my Louisiana school counseling license between states?

Louisiana does not participate in formal interstate reciprocity agreements for school counseling licenses. Consequently, a school counseling license cannot be directly transferred for automatic practice in another state. Counselors seeking to work outside the state typically must apply for licensure by endorsement or follow a state-specific process dictated by the licensing board of the new state. This process often includes several additional requirements that reflect the varied standards across states.

School counselors moving from Louisiana to another state generally need to:

Provide verification that their Louisiana license is current and in good standing.
Submit transcripts and documentation to confirm that their educational background meets the new state’s criteria, which may require additional coursework if the original program was not fully aligned.
Demonstrate completion of required supervised internship or experience hours, which might differ from Louisiana’s standards.
Pass any state-specific exams related to counseling practice, ethics, or educational law.
Undergo a criminal background check as part of the application process.
Pay applicable fees and submit a formal application for licensure by endorsement.
In some cases, obtain a provisional or temporary license while completing outstanding requirements.

Transferring a school counseling license from Louisiana can be challenging due to varying coursework requirements, differing state standards, and potentially long processing times, sometimes requiring additional credit hours or supervised practice.

One Louisiana school counselor who relocated found the process “more complicated than I initially expected,” needing extra coursework and a new state exam despite her credentials being respected. While the provisional license allowed her to begin working quickly, she acknowledged the lack of reciprocity added steps, ultimately appreciating the thorough standards and advising others to start early and keep detailed records to ease the transition.

How often do Louisiana school counselors need to renew their credentials?

In Louisiana, school counselors are required to renew their credentials every five years to maintain a valid Ancillary School Counselor (K-12) certificate.

Renewal Cycle: Credentials must be renewed once every five years to remain active and compliant with state regulations.
Employer Verification: The employing Louisiana school system must formally request renewal, confirming the counselor has completed at least three effective evaluations during the certification period.
Continuing Education: Counselors certified after July 1, 2013, must complete 150 continuing learning units (CLUs) aligned with their Individual Professional Growth Plan within each five-year cycle.
Alternative Credential: Submission of a current Louisiana Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) license can replace the 150 CLU requirement for renewal.
Application Submission: Renewal requests and all required documentation must be submitted as a single PDF through the Teach Louisiana online certification portal by the employing district.
Fees: Applicable renewal fees must be paid according to state guidelines, with current amounts available through the Louisiana Department of Education or employing district.
Background Check: A current background check may be required, particularly after a break in service or upon employer request.
Proof of Employment: Counselors not currently employed by a Louisiana school system are ineligible for renewal, but may receive an eligibility letter for job applications.

These renewal requirements ensure that Louisiana school counselors remain professionally current and effective in supporting students, and the image below illustrates the overall workforce size of school counselors in the United States.

number of school counselors employed in the US

What are the alternative pathways to become a school counselor in Louisiana?

Louisiana offers several alternative routes for individuals seeking to become school counselors, especially for career-changers or those without a traditional educational background. These pathways provide flexible options to meet workforce demands while ensuring candidates complete necessary qualifications.

Alternative Certification Programs: Allow candidates to earn a Practitioner License 2 (PL 2) and work full-time while completing required coursework and internships.
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Programs: Designed for bachelor’s degree holders, these programs combine coursework and field experiences, often with flexible online options.
Graduate Certificate or Non-Degree Licensure: For those with a master’s degree in another field, focusing on leadership skills and requiring supervised fieldwork.
Provisional Licensure and Exams: Candidates must pass Praxis exams and complete supervised internships to achieve full certification.

For those interested in advanced credentials, exploring options like the cheapest PhD in counseling online can further enhance career prospects.

What is the average salary of school counselors in Louisiana?

The median salary for school counselors in Louisiana is approximately $73,710, which is slightly below the national median for the profession. Salary levels vary widely across the state due to several key factors that influence earning potential and career growth.

Educational Attainment and Credentials: Advanced degrees and specialized certifications can significantly increase salary offers, reflecting higher qualifications and expertise.
Experience Level: Increased years of service typically correspond to higher pay, with senior counselors often earning near the upper salary range.
Geographic Location: Urban areas and well-funded districts, such as Lake Charles and Baton Rouge, tend to offer more competitive salaries than rural or economically challenged regions.
District and School Funding: Schools with stronger budgets or private institutions provide better compensation, while limited funding may restrict salary growth.
Demand and Job Market Conditions: Rising need for mental health and academic support roles can enhance salary prospects over time.
Union Representation and Collective Bargaining: Unionized districts often secure improved salaries and benefits through negotiations.

What is the job outlook for school counselors in Louisiana?

The school counselor job growth in Louisiana is expected to remain stable, reflecting national trends, with a projected 4% increase in employment for school and career counselors from 2023 to 2033. Although specific state projections are limited, Louisiana is frequently recognized for favorable employment conditions and competitive salaries in this profession, aligning closely with the overall national outlook.

Statewide Demand: Louisiana ranks among the top states for school counselors due to strong job availability and salary competitiveness, placing it alongside larger states such as California and Texas.
Student Enrollment Trends: The demand for school counselors is closely tied to changes in student enrollment across public and private schools, influencing workforce needs accordingly.
Mental Health Needs: Growing emphasis on student mental health and well-being has expanded the role of school counselors, increasing the necessity for qualified professionals in educational settings.
State Education Initiatives: Policies focusing on academic achievement, social-emotional learning, and college/career readiness continue to promote the integration of counseling services in schools.
Job Openings: Nationally, about 29,100 annual openings are expected for school and career counselors, largely driven by retirements and workforce changes; Louisiana consistently reports numerous vacancies statewide.
Salary Competitiveness: The average annual salary for school counselors in Louisiana is approximately $51,657 as of June 2025, which is competitive regionally and comparable to national averages.

For those considering advancement in this field, pursuing careers with a masters in counseling can provide enhanced opportunities and credentials to meet growing professional demands.

What are the career advancement opportunities for school counselors in Louisiana?

Career advancement for school counselors in Louisiana offers diverse opportunities that extend beyond traditional K-12 roles, emphasizing leadership and specialized practice. Pursuing these paths typically requires a combination of experience, continuing education, and additional credentials.

Lead School Counselor or Counseling Coordinator: Oversee school or district counseling programs and mentor peers, usually requiring several years of experience and proven leadership.
Director of Guidance or Pupil Services: Manage district-wide counseling initiatives and staff supervision, demanding a master’s degree and often administrative certification.
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC): Obtain licensure to practice privately by completing supervised clinical hours and passing the state exam.
Postsecondary or Career Counselor: Transition to colleges or technical schools advising on academic and career pathways, with a master’s degree and relevant background preferred.
Education Administrator: Advance to roles like assistant principal through leadership certification and passing state exams, leveraging counseling experience.
Specialist in Student Life or Support Services: Focus on social and emotional student needs, often requiring additional certifications and ongoing training.
Continuing Education and Credentials: Maintain an active LPC credential or complete 150 hours of continuing learning units every five years to support advancement.

For those exploring further qualifications, a list of affordable online masters in counseling degree programs can provide accessible pathways to meet advanced education requirements. Opportunities for school counselor leadership roles in Louisiana are robust, rewarding professionals who invest in growth and specialization.

What do school counselors in Louisiana say about their careers?

Completing my school counseling program at Tulane University was a transformative experience that prepared me well for the realities of working in Louisiana’s diverse educational settings. Starting my career in a local school, I quickly realized how vital it is to understand the unique cultural backgrounds of my students, which enriches my ability to support their academic and emotional growth. The state's emphasis on community involvement has allowed me to foster meaningful relationships not just with students but also with their families. This career offers stability and constant opportunities for professional development, making every day fulfilling and impactful. Andrew
Choosing to become a school counselor here in Louisiana has been a deeply rewarding journey. Graduating from Louisiana State University gave me a solid foundation, and working in a local school offered firsthand experience with the challenges and joys of supporting young people. The vibrant culture and close-knit communities provide unique opportunities to engage students in ways that honor their heritage and build resilience. This profession has helped me grow personally and professionally, and I am proud to contribute to the well-being of youth in our state. Barry
My passion for school counseling ignited while studying at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Beginning my career in a local school setting exposed me to the rich diversity and specific needs of Louisiana’s students, from navigating socio-economic challenges to celebrating cultural traditions. The role demands adaptability and empathy, but it also offers tremendous career advancement potential through ongoing training and leadership roles. Being able to make a positive difference in young lives and their communities every day is what keeps me motivated and fulfilled. Harold

How can school counselors maintain ongoing professional development?

Ongoing professional development is essential for adapting to evolving educational environments and student needs. Louisiana counselors can benefit from state-sponsored workshops, regional conferences, and specialized training modules that focus on emerging counseling strategies, ethical standards, and digital tools. Actively engaging with professional organizations and peer networks also drives shared best practices and access to updated research. For a streamlined process to enhance qualifications, consider the fastest way to become a counselor in Louisiana that offers targeted guidance for career progression.

Other Things You Need to Know About Becoming a School Counselor in Louisiana

Can Louisiana school counselors work in private practice?

Yes, but they must obtain additional licensure, such as Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). This requires completing extra supervised clinical hours, passing a state exam, and maintaining continuing education. Without these credentials, school counselors cannot provide private practice services.

Which majors are best for aspiring school counselors in Louisiana?

The best undergraduate majors are psychology, education, and social work. Psychology provides insight into student behavior and mental health, education offers classroom experience and knowledge of school systems, and social work emphasizes community resources and advocacy. These majors prepare students to meet certification requirements and address diverse student needs.

How much does a school counseling degree in Louisiana cost?

Public universities charge $7,000–$15,000 per year for in-state tuition; private institutions range $15,000–$30,000. Master’s programs typically last two to three years, with additional costs for books and fees. Financial aid, scholarships, and assistantships can offset expenses.

What do supervisors look for in a school counseling practicum student in Louisiana?

Supervisors prioritize professionalism, communication skills, initiative, and competency in counseling techniques. Cultural sensitivity, ethical behavior, adherence to confidentiality, and reflective practice are also essential. They seek students who are engaged, adaptable, and committed to supporting student development.

References:

Butler University. (n.d.). MS in school counseling online state restrictions. Butler University. https://educationonline.butler.edu/programs/masters-school-counseling/state-restrictions/

Counseling Degree Guide. (n.d.). Counseling license reciprocity guidelines by state. Counseling Degree Guide. https://www.counselingdegreeguide.org/reciprocity/