Massachusetts · Career guide
How to become a School Counselor in Massachusetts
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 Massachusetts right now — set up an alert and we'll notify you when new postings are scraped.
Certification path in Massachusetts
- Earn a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. 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. Massachusetts typically requires:
- Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL) Communication and Literacy Skills — Reading and writing skills
- MTEL Subject Matter Knowledge — Content knowledge for your licensure area
- MTEL Foundations of Reading (PreK–6 or PreK–8) — Reading instruction competency for elementary educators
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 Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). The packet typically includes official transcripts, exam scores, a background check, and (depending on the state) a recommendation from the teacher-prep program. Visit Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) →
- Job-search in Massachusetts. 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 Massachusetts
If you didn't follow the traditional university-route, Massachusetts offers these alternate paths that may apply to your situation:
- Massachusetts Employer-Based Route: District-sponsored program for career changers
- Teach For America (active in Boston and Lawrence)
- Commonwealth Residency Teacher Preparation Programs
- Career/Vocational Technical Education (CVTE) licenses for industry professionals
Massachusetts salary context
Average teacher salary in Massachusetts: $83,622/year (rank #6 nationally). Entry-level pay with a bachelor's typically starts at $46,262/year.
Role-specific premiums vary by district — special education, STEM, and bilingual roles frequently command signing bonuses or stipends. See the full Massachusetts salary guide for the breakdown.