School Counseling in Chicago

With the third-largest school district in the nation1, Chicago employs thousands of teachers and educational support staff to meet the needs of its students. Some students’ needs may be going unmet, however, because Chicago’s counselor-to-student ratio is nearly three times lower than what the American School Counselor Association recommends2.

As a school counselor in Chicago, you can help make a difference as you provide educational programming and work directly with students and families in schools across the city.

The average salary for a school counselor in Chicago is $60,0503, higher than the US average of $57,6204.

Between 2016 and 2026, employment opportunities in Chicago for school counselors are projected to grow 7 percent5.

How to Become a Certified School Counselor in Chicago

Before you can become employed as a school counselor in Chicago, you must meet the certification requirements set by the Illinois State Board of Education. One of the requirements is a master’s degree from an accredited institution. Resources for Illinois licensing board can be found on NYU Steinhardt’s Professional Licensure page.

Why Counseling@NYU School Counseling?

Earning your master of arts in Counseling and Guidance from NYU Steinhardt online could prepare you to pursue certification as a school counselor in your area. The online program does not require you to attend classes on campus, so you can earn an esteemed NYU school counseling education from across the US.

Earn Your Master’s through
Counseling@NYU

Learn how NYU Steinhardt’s online program prepares you to pursue
certification as a school counselor in Chicago.

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1 The 74 Million, Chicago Public Schools 101: The Politics, Passion and Hopeless Financials Behind a System in Crisisarrow_upwardReturn to footnote reference

2 The Chicago Tribune, Job outlook for school counselorsarrow_upwardReturn to footnote reference

3 Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics, 21-1012 Educational, Guidance, School, and Vocational Counselorsarrow_upwardReturn to footnote reference

4 Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics, 21-1012 Educational, Guidance, School, and Vocational Counselorsarrow_upwardReturn to footnote reference

5 Career OneStop, Educational, Guidance, School, and Vocational Counselors – Chicago, Illinoisarrow_upwardReturn to footnote reference