School Counselor vs. School Psychologist
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In the complex education landscape, schools employ various professionals to provide students with the necessary support for their academic, social, and emotional well-being. The two primary professionals hired to support students in this way are school counselors and school psychologists. Both play vital roles in fostering student success but are two distinct careers.
Both professionals contribute to creating a positive and supportive school environment, promoting student well-being, and helping them achieve their full potential. However, responsibilities can vary.
School counselors primarily focus on academic and personal development, guiding course selection, college planning, and addressing social-emotional issues. They often engage in individual and group counseling sessions, helping students navigate challenges, build resilience, and develop essential life skills.
On the other hand, school psychologists specialize in assessing and treating various psychological and behavioral concerns. They conduct evaluations to identify learning disabilities or mental health disorders and provide interventions tailored to individual student needs. School counselors may need only a bachelor’s degree, while a master’s is recommended, while school psychologists must have a master’s, although a PhD is preferred.
Keep reading to learn the distinctions between school counselors and school psychologists, including education requirements, licensing, accreditation, and typical job duties.
| School Counselor | School Psychologist | |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | According to the American School Counselor Association, school counselors “design and deliver school counseling programs that improve student outcomes.” They are licensed by their state’s board of education and provide emotional and educational support as well as helping older students with post-secondary planning. | School psychologists, according to the American Psychological Association, “synthesize information on developmental mechanisms and contexts, and they translate it for adults responsible for promoting healthy growth and development of children and youth in a range of contexts.” They can address social, educational, and relational issues as well as diagnose and treat chronic or acute mental illnesses in kids. |
| Types | School counselors are typically divided into:
| School psychology is already a specialized field, so there aren’t any additional titles for this career. |
| How Long Does It Take? | School counselor education requirements will vary by state. At a minimum, school counselors must hold a four-year bachelor’s degree and a license from their state’s board of education. Many states require some graduate-level education or a master’s degree which can take between one to three years of additional studies. | At a minimum, school psychologists must obtain a master’s degree in order to practice. This takes two to three years. Most states require that psychologists have a PsyD or PhD in psychology in order to be licensed which will take an additional four to seven years of education. In total, it takes between 10 to 12 years in most instances to become a school psychologist. |
| Educational Accreditation | Counseling programs across the country are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). The American School Counselor Association just recently launched their ASCA-Recognized School Counselor Preparation Program designation, but to date there is only one approved school. This accreditation may grow in popularity over the years. | The National Association of School Psychologists maintains a list of programs that they have approved or are nationally recognized. School psychology programs are also accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA). |
| Degree Programs |
There’s also a wealth of online master’s degrees in school counseling. |
|
| Supervised Hours Requirements | Supervised hours will vary by state. Some states do not require any, while others may require up to three years of supervision. | The required number of supervised hours to become a school psychologist will vary by state. It can be as low as 2,000 hours in California and as high as 6,000 hours in Michigan. To be eligible for the Nationally Certified School Psychologist certification, applicants must have 1,200 hours of supervised internship in school psychology, of which at least 600 hours must be in a school setting. |
| Licensing & Certification | School counselors are licensed by their state’s board of education. The requirements include completed education, a background check, and exams that can include the Praxis II School Counseling and Guidance exam, state content exam, or state jurisprudence exam. Required supervised work hours, internships, or practicums will also be verified before a license is issued. Counselors who hold the National Certified Counselor (NCC) from the National Board for Certified Counselors can pursue the additional National Certified School Counselors (NCSC). This voluntary certification demonstrates a high level of competency in this field. For a full state-by-state list of requirements, check out the school counselor career guide. | Psychologists must be licensed by their state’s board of psychology. Requirements will vary from state to state but will include a master’s or doctorate degree, a background check, and passing the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology administered by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB). Voluntary certification as a Nationally Certified School Psychologist can be obtained from the NASP. To be eligible for this certification, candidates must graduate from a NASP-approved or accredited program, complete required supervised work hours, and pass the Praxis School Psychology Examination. |
| Typical Responsibilities | Typical day-to-day duties of school counselors can include:
| The day-to-day responsibilities of a school psychologists can include:
|
| Salary | School counselors earn an average of $64,200 per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS May 2022). The top 10 percent can expect to earn $98,530 per year, while the bottom 10 percent earn $38,280 per year. These are the latest figures available as of October 2023. | According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS May 2022), school psychologists make $87,550 annually. The bottom 10 percent of earners earn $53,040 per year, while the top 10 percent earn $128,800 annually. These are the latest figures available as of October 2023. |
| The Bottom Line | School counselors support students’ academic goals, personal development, and career aspirations. | School psychologists are trained and educated mental health professionals who assist students emotionally, academically, and behaviorally. |
Kimmy Gustafson
WriterAt CounselingSchools.com, Kimmy Gustafson’s expertly crafted articles delve into the world of counseling and mental health, providing valuable insights and guidance to readers since 2020. In addition to feature pieces and interviews, she keeps the state licensing tables current. Kimmy has been a freelance writer for more than a decade, writing hundreds of articles on a wide variety of topics such as startups, nonprofits, healthcare, kiteboarding, the outdoors, and higher education. She is passionate about seeing the world and has traveled to over 27 countries. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Oregon. When not working, she can be found outdoors, parenting, kiteboarding, or cooking.