Unlock Your Dream Job: How to Become a School Counselor in West Virginia
Are you passionate about helping students navigate their educational and personal journeys? Becoming a school counselor in West Virginia might just be your calling! This rewarding career allows you to make a significant impact on the lives of young people, and the path to achieving this goal is more accessible than you might think. Follow these steps to unlock your dream job as a school counselor in West Virginia.
Step One: Fulfill Educational Requirements
To begin your journey, you'll need to fulfill certain educational requirements. Here are your options:
- Earn a Master’s degree in School Counseling.
- Or, earn a Master’s degree in Counseling or a related field, and complete a school counseling program separately. You can find campus-based preparatory programs on the WVDE webpage.
For a comprehensive list of schools offering Master’s level programs in counseling in West Virginia, visit the link.
Step Two: Pass the Praxis II Examination
Next, you will need to successfully complete the Praxis II: School Guidance & Counseling examination. This test assesses your knowledge and skills in school counseling. For information about testing locations, dates, and registration, visit the ETS website.
Step Three: Complete a Criminal History Background Check
To be considered for West Virginia school counselor certification, you must request fingerprint cards for a criminal history background check. Request these cards through the West Virginia Fingerprint Requirements form.
Step Four: Follow the Certification Process
Once you have completed the previous steps, follow the process for initial certification in West Virginia as shown on the West Virginia initial certification procedure 410 webpage. You will also need to download the appropriate form for West Virginia school counseling certification, which is the Form 20-S (Initial Student Support Certification) 410.
These forms will guide you on how to complete the application, where to send it, and detail any fees associated with processing. If you have further questions regarding your particular case, call a licensure representative at the West Virginia Department of Education at (304) 558-7010.
Already Certified in Another State?
If you are a certified counselor from another state, West Virginia offers a certification option through reciprocity agreements. However, you will still need to apply for certification, have your credentials evaluated, complete a criminal history background check, and have a character recommendation form completed from a previous out-of-state superintendent.
For more information about the certification process, visit the Initial WV certification process 410 page. If you have more questions regarding certification, please call the West Virginia Department of Education at (304) 558-7010.
For more information, please follow this link.
