Illinois · Career guide
How to become a School Counselor in Illinois
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 Illinois right now — set up an alert and we'll notify you when new postings are scraped.
Certification path in Illinois
- Earn a bachelor's degree. 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. Illinois typically requires:
- Illinois Licensure Testing System (ILTS) Test of Academic Proficiency (TAP) — Basic skills assessment
- ILTS Content Area Assessment — Subject matter knowledge for your area
- edTPA — Performance assessment during student teaching
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 Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). The packet typically includes official transcripts, exam scores, a background check, and (depending on the state) a recommendation from the teacher-prep program. Visit Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) →
- Job-search in Illinois. 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 Illinois
If you didn't follow the traditional university-route, Illinois offers these alternate paths that may apply to your situation:
- Illinois Alternative Educator Licensure — for career changers employed by a district
- Teach For America (active in Chicago)
- Chicago Teaching Fellows
- Career and Technical Education licenses
Illinois salary context
Average teacher salary in Illinois: $67,882/year (rank #9 nationally). Entry-level pay with a bachelor's typically starts at $38,000/year.
Role-specific premiums vary by district — special education, STEM, and bilingual roles frequently command signing bonuses or stipends. See the full Illinois salary guide for the breakdown.