School counseling is a specialization within the counseling and psychology industry. Other specializations include the following:

• Marriage and family counselors specialize in helping married couples and families improve communication and resolve issues within their relationships. With divorce rates rising to shocking levels in the United States, therapists in this specialty should have good career prospects.
• Substance abuse counselors specialize in helping individuals who have issues with dependency on drugs and alcohol. There are a variety of theories as to the best approaches for overcoming these dependencies, and experience and dedication are the counselor's most reliable tools.
• Mental health counselors specialize in identifying and providing relief for issues that affect the mental and emotional well-being of patients.

• Bachelor's Degree in Education, Psychology, or Human Services: 4 years to complete
• Master's Degree in Education, Psychology, or Human Services: 2-3 years to complete
• Doctorate Degree in Education, Psychology, or Human Services: 4-6 years to complete

In order for a person to become a school counselor, they must receive at least a master's degree and meet any state licensing or certification requirements. Usually this process will involve a certain number of hours of graduate study and clinical counseling experience. An undergrad hoping to become a school counselor would be wise to choose courses in education, psychology, and sociology. Professionals in this career track might also consider continuing on with a doctorate degree to become a psychologist. Either a PhD in psychology or a Doctor of Psychology degree are standard, although a few states will license school psychologists who only hold master's degrees.

Counselors have the option of getting certified by the National Board for Certified Counselors to demonstrate to employers or future employers that they have mastered their field of study. This may or may not be helpful depending on the standing certification requirements of the state.

School counseling students will take several psychology courses. A developmental psychology course is essential for prospective school counselors, as understanding the changes facing children, teens, and adolescents is of the utmost importance for them to succeed at their jobs. A child psychology course may be equally important, especially for school counselors who want to work with elementary school children. Child psychology classes will train counselors to work with children in need.

One of the things that school counselors will have to deal with is drug and alcohol abuse. High school students often suffer from addiction or other issues, and it often falls to school counselors to help them, so they will take a course exploring drug and alcohol rehabilitation. Family psychology or family counseling classes can also be important for school counseling degree candidates. Students often cite family pressures as one of the most stressful things in their lives, and school counselors need to be able to navigate complex familial issues. Of course, school counselors also help students who are seeking academic success, so they may take a class in college and career planning so as to provide the best services to ambitious students. 

Technically, all school counseling curriculum requirements can be completed online. Most classes will be based in reading, writing, and discussion activities, and students do not need to spend time in traditional classrooms to complete these requirements. However, in order to earn licensure as a school counselor, students will need to find practical internship opportunities that allow them to complete a certain number of hours in an on-site setting.

Of course, school counselors work in schools. Since there are so many jobs within the field of education and so many degree programs to prepare students for these job opportunities, there is no shortage of degree options that are similar to school counseling. Education administration degrees are intended to help future administrators prepare for the challenges they all will face. Since their role is also to help students succeed to the best of their ability, their jobs and degree programs are relatively similar to those of school counselors. Education specialization degrees can include specific study of school counseling. However, students will study the general education system in addition to counseling particulars. Of course, psychology programs are also related to school counseling. A child psychology student will learn how development affects children's choices and lives, which is essential for counselors who work with growing students.