Certification in School Counseling

As of June 1, 2004, a teaching certificate is no longer required in order to become a school counselor in Illinois. At NIU, students must still complete the accredited master’s degree in school counseling. Students who are not teacher credentialed must complete the master’s degree in school counseling and additional course work in education including the following.

the structure, organization, and operation of the educational system, with emphasis on P-12 schools;
the growth and development of children and youth, and their implications for counseling in schools;
the diversity of Illinois students and the laws and programs that have been designed to meet their needs; and
the effective management of the classroom and the learning process.

Students work with their adviser to determine appropriate courses. Candidates who successfully fulfill the program requirements are eligible to receive faculty recommendation for State of Illinois school counseling certification.