How to become an educational counsellor
Official title: Educational counsellors
Also called: School counsellor, College counsellor, Student counsellor, Academic counsellor, University counsellor, Educational counsellor, Academic skills counsellor, Student services counsellor, Personal academic counsellor, Career counsellor - education, Educational guidance director, Guidance counsellor - education
Educational counsellors advise current and prospective students on educational issues, career planning and personal development, and coordinate the provision of counselling services to students, parents, teachers, faculty and staff. They are employed by school boards and post-secondary educational institutions.
Main tasks
- Counsel students regarding educational issues such as course and program selection, time tables and scheduling, school adjustment, attendance problems and study skills
- Counsel students regarding career or vocational issues including career exploration and planning, résumé preparation, job interview skills and job search strategies and make available to them a wide range of educational and occupational information
- Coordinate co-op and school-to-work transition programs, and the provision of counselling and information services, such as career information, professional development sessions and exchanges with other educational institutions, to students, parents, teachers, faculty and staff
- Consult with teachers and parents or faculty and other professionals such as psychologists, speech therapists and social workers regarding various issues and concerns, and with administrators and community agencies regarding programs and referrals
- Administer and interpret standardized intelligence, personality, vocational, aptitude and interest tests
- Develop and coordinate study skills groups or workshops in high schools, colleges and universities on topics such as note-taking, test or examination anxiety and preparation strategies and time management skills
- Visit colleges and secondary schools to provide academic information to prospective students, their parents and educational counsellors
- Coordinate or participate in student orientation programs in colleges or universities
How to become one
A bachelor's degree in counselling, career development, education or social sciences is required for counsellors in school settings. A master's degree in counselling psychology or a related field such as educational psychology, developmental psychology or social work is usually required. Educational counsellors in post-secondary settings require an undergraduate degree and may require a graduate degree. A particular academic specialization may also be required. In Quebec, membership in l'Ordre des conseillers et conseillères d'orientation is mandatory to use the titles ''vocational counsellor'', "guidance counsellor" and "vocational guidance counsellor". A teacher's certificate in the province of employment and some teaching experience is usually required for counsellors in school settings. Educational counsellors in colleges and universities may require licensing from a provincial regulatory body governing psychologists, educational counsellors or social workers.
Ways in
- University: Education & Teaching degrees, Offered by 16 universities in Canada
- University: Social Work & Community degrees, Offered by 8 universities in Canada
- Licence or registration: Educational counsellors in colleges and universities may require licensing from a provincial regulatory body governing psychologists, educational counsellors or social workers.
Pay · Outlook
- Median pay: $79,638 a year The middle half earn $60,860 to $93,113.
- About 24,500 people worked in this job in 2023, and about 29,000 are projected by 2033. (+18.4%)
- Projected labour market to 2033: balance.
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Questions people ask
How do I become an educational counsellor?
A bachelor's degree in counselling, career development, education or social sciences is required for counsellors in school settings. A master's degree in counselling psychology or a related field such as educational psychology, developmental psychology or social work is usually required. Educational counsellors in post-secondary settings require an undergraduate degree and may require a graduate degree. A particular academic specialization may also be required. In Quebec, membership in l'Ordre des conseillers et conseillères d'orientation is mandatory to use the titles ''vocational counsellor'', "guidance counsellor" and "vocational guidance counsellor". A teacher's certificate in the province of employment and some teaching experience is usually required for counsellors in school settings. Educational counsellors in colleges and universities may require licensing from a provincial regulatory body governing psychologists, educational counsellors or social workers.
How much does an educational counsellor earn in Canada?
Median full-time pay is $79,638 a year (Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank)). The middle half earn $60,860 to $93,113.
Is an educational counsellor a growing career in Canada?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 18% by 2033, from about 24,500 to about 29,000 people (Employment and Social Development Canada).
Do you need a degree to become an educational counsellor?
Usually. 83% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Sources
- Statistics Canada: Census 2021: employment by occupation, gender and education (98-10-0449) (2021 Census), Statistics Canada Open Licence, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Statistics Canada: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 (Version 1.0), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada: Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS) (2024 to 2033), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank): Wages by occupation (2025 (revised 2025-11-19)), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03