Alaska · Career guide
How to become a School Counselor in Alaska
School counselors deliver classroom guidance lessons, run small groups, provide individual counseling, and coordinate college / career planning for high-schoolers. Most states require a master's degree (M.Ed. or M.S. in School Counseling) plus a separate license tier from classroom teaching. Caseloads are typically large — 250-500 students per counselor is common — but the role offers higher pay scales than the equivalent step on a teacher schedule.
No school counseling positions are open in Alaska right now — set up an alert and we'll notify you when new postings are scraped.
Certification path in Alaska
- Earn a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution plus completion of an approved teacher-preparation program. Most candidates complete a teacher-preparation program either as part of their undergraduate studies or as a post-baccalaureate add-on.
- Pass the required exams. Alaska typically requires:
- Praxis Core Academic Skills (or qualifying SAT/ACT/GRE scores) — Basic reading, writing, and mathematics
- Praxis Subject Assessments — Content knowledge for your certification area
- Alaska Studies and Multicultural Education courses — Required state-specific coursework (3 semester credits each) for all initial certificates
A school counseling endorsement is a separate license; most states require a state-approved master's program + supervised practicum + state-administered exam.
- Apply for your initial license through Alaska Department of Education and Early Development (DEED). The packet typically includes official transcripts, exam scores, a background check, and (depending on the state) a recommendation from the teacher-prep program. Visit Alaska Department of Education and Early Development (DEED) →
- Job-search in Alaska. We'll track school counseling openings as districts post them; set up an alert to be notified immediately when new positions go live.
Alternative pathways in Alaska
If you didn't follow the traditional university-route, Alaska offers these alternate paths that may apply to your situation:
- Type M Limited Teacher Certificate: Issued to candidates with demonstrated expertise in shortage areas (CTE, special education, rural placements)
- Alternative Routes to Teacher Certification (ARTC): University-affiliated programs that allow candidates to teach under a provisional certificate while completing pedagogy coursework
- Type C Special Services Certificate for school counselors, psychologists, and related specialists
- Teach For America (active in rural Alaska placements)
Alaska salary context
Average teacher salary in Alaska: $73,722/year (rank #11 nationally). Entry-level pay with a bachelor's typically starts at $48,000/year.
Role-specific premiums vary by district — special education, STEM, and bilingual roles frequently command signing bonuses or stipends. See the full Alaska salary guide for the breakdown.