Is School Counseling a Hard Major? What Students Should Know in 2026

Co-Founder and Chief Data Scientist

School counseling is often perceived as less demanding than other majors, but this misconception overlooks its academic rigor. In the U.S., enrollment in school counseling programs grew by 12% over a recent five-year span, reflecting rising interest and complexity in the field.

This article explores the intensity of course content, workload expectations, and the essential skills required for success. It also examines how personal strengths and prior experience shape whether students find school counseling difficult, guiding prospective majors in making informed decisions.

Key Benefits of School Counseling as a Major

School counseling develops vital interpersonal and problem-solving skills, helping career changers adapt effectively within educational settings.
Programs often offer flexible schedules and supportive resources, benefiting full-time workers returning to school.
The major provides rich academic challenges that foster confidence and professional growth for traditional undergraduates exploring counseling as a specialized discipline.

Where Does School Counseling Rank Among the Hardest College Majors?

School counseling is generally viewed as moderately difficult in national college major rankings. Unlike fields such as engineering, physical sciences, or pre-med, which are noted for their heavy technical content and rigorous quantitative demands, school counseling emphasizes a mix of theory, research, and practical counseling techniques.

Master's programs often require around 60 credit hours and include significant practicum components, frequently mandating internships of 600 hours or more. These hands-on requirements contribute substantially to student workload.

Additionally, administrative responsibilities and emotional labor add further complexity; for example, 54% of school counselors report spending extensive time on administrative tasks while 73% focus heavily on mental health support, often managing caseloads well above recommended limits.

The difficulty of school counseling varies notably between institutions and individual students. Some programs demand longer practicum hours or less flexible schedules, intensifying the challenge.

Compared to majors like engineering or pre-med, school counseling generally involves fewer technical skills but more interpersonal and emotional demands. Conversely, it may be more demanding than classroom-based majors with minimal fieldwork, such as general education or humanities.

Ultimately, difficulty depends on a student's personal abilities-those strong in communication and emotional resilience may find school counseling manageable, whereas others might struggle with the practical and emotional demands inherent to the profession.

What Factors Make School Counseling a Hard Major?

Several academic and skill-related challenges contribute to why many students find school counseling a difficult major. The combination of rigorous coursework and practical requirements demands significant dedication and diverse competencies.

Academic rigor: School counseling programs typically require 45 to 60 credit hours of graduate-level coursework. Subjects include counseling theories, psychotherapy, ethics, legal standards, and research evaluation, with programs like Arizona State University and Florida Atlantic University requiring up to 60 credit hours alongside comprehensive exams and fieldwork.
Time commitment: Students must balance demanding classes with extensive practicum and internship hours in school settings. These supervised experiences involve working directly with diverse student populations and collaborating with educational staff, often requiring hundreds of hours.
Technical and analytical complexity: Mastery of counseling techniques and assessments is essential. Additionally, strong analytical skills are necessary to interpret student data and conduct research, further elevating the school counseling workload demands.
Field-specific demands: Requirements include passing state licensure exams, maintaining a minimum GPA (commonly 3.0 or higher), and completing background checks. Continuous professional development is also necessary to maintain certification throughout one's career.

These combined challenges demonstrate why school counseling as a major is listed among demanding fields, requiring resilience and commitment.

For students deciding on this path, consulting a comprehensive college majors list and careers can provide valuable insights into its intensity and requirements.

Who Is a Good Fit for a School Counseling Major?

Identifying who is best suited for a school counseling major helps students align their strengths with the program's demands, increasing their chances of success. Understanding these key traits of a successful school counselor can clarify whether this major fits one's personality and skills.

Empathy and compassion: These students excel at understanding diverse student perspectives, offering meaningful support that is essential in school counseling environments.
Active listening and strong communication: Effective communication allows these individuals to clearly interpret and convey information to students, parents, and faculty, a crucial part of the curriculum and professional practice.
Adaptability and problem-solving: Students who adjust strategies to fit unique emotional and academic situations thrive, reflecting some of the best personality types for school counseling due to their flexible approach.
Respect for diversity: Valuing and supporting students from various backgrounds is vital, enabling counselors to address a broad spectrum of needs adequately.
Resilience and motivation: Those who maintain emotional strength through role-play and case studies usually navigate the program's challenges more successfully.

For students exploring educational paths, exploring the easiest associate's degree programs may provide additional context on choosing suitable majors.

How Can You Make a School Counseling Major Easier?

School counseling often feels overwhelming due to its heavy workload, extensive reading, and intense practicum requirements. However, adopting focused strategies can make the coursework more manageable and reduce stress.

Develop Consistent Study Habits: Engage in regular review rather than cramming, participate actively in class discussions, and apply case studies to reinforce learning.
Prioritize Time Management: Use planners or apps to track assignments and practicum hours, breaking down projects into smaller tasks to avoid feeling swamped.
Build Foundational Skills Early: Hone communication, counseling theories, and ethical decision-making skills from the start to ease future course challenges.
Utilize Academic Resources: Attend faculty office hours, join peer study groups, and take advantage of workshops to clarify difficult topics and enhance understanding.
Engage in Self-Reflection and Feedback: Regularly assess personal progress and seek instructor feedback to identify strengths and areas needing improvement.

A graduate I spoke with shared how she initially struggled balancing coursework and practicum demands, feeling overwhelmed by the volume of reading and reflective writing. She found that creating a detailed weekly schedule and prioritizing small, consistent study sessions helped her stay on track.

"It wasn't just about managing time but learning which skills I needed to focus on first," she explained. By actively seeking feedback and using peer support, she transformed her experience.

"Looking back, the turning point was realizing that collaboration and self-awareness were just as essential as academic knowledge."

This approach helped her successfully navigate the challenges of school counseling studies while maintaining her well-being.

Are Admissions to School Counseling Programs Competitive?

Admissions to school counseling programs are moderately competitive, primarily due to limited program capacity and varied applicant volumes across institutions.

While national demand for qualified school counselors remains strong, some programs experience higher competition, especially at urban or highly regarded universities. Prerequisite requirements, including relevant coursework and experience, further contribute to the selective nature of admissions.

Selectivity is shaped by factors such as minimum GPA thresholds, which commonly hover around 3.0, and expectations for foundational psychology or education classes. Many programs also value volunteer or work experience in counseling or educational environments.

In regions with fewer training options or states facing counselor shortages, admission criteria tend to be more stringent, leading to smaller cohort sizes and higher standards to ensure program quality.

When asking a professional and school counseling major about admissions competitiveness, he shared how challenging it was to balance the application's academic demands with securing meaningful field experience.

"It felt like every part of the process mattered-from maintaining a strong GPA to demonstrating my commitment through volunteer work," he said.

Though daunting at times, reflecting on that rigorous process reassured him that meeting those standards prepared him well for his career path.

Is an Online School Counseling Major Harder Than an On-Campus Program?

Online school counseling degree difficulty is generally comparable to that of on-campus programs, with neither format being inherently harder or easier. However, differences in workload management, interaction, and the learning environment shape distinct experiences for students enrolled in each mode.

Several factors highlight the challenges of online school counseling programs versus traditional ones:

Academic expectations and workload: Both online and in-person school counseling students complete similar assignments, practicum hours, and assessments, leading to equivalent academic rigor and learning outcomes.
Pacing and flexibility: Online programs offer more flexible pacing, which can ease or complicate time management depending on a student's self-discipline and motivation.
Interaction and support: On-campus programs provide immediate, face-to-face engagement with faculty and peers, whereas online students depend more on virtual communication, which may reduce direct support.
Learning environment: The dynamics of in-person settings versus virtual learning affect how students absorb material and stay connected, influencing their overall experience.
Unique challenges: Students in online programs must be self-motivated, comfortable with technology, and prepared to handle feelings of isolation or less frequent direct feedback, which contributes to higher attrition rates for some.

Ultimately, whether a school counseling major feels difficult depends less on the format and more on individual learning style and adaptability.

For those interested in areas with strong financial potential, exploring a bachelor's degree that makes the most money may offer useful insights alongside considerations of program difficulty.

Breakdown of All 2-Year Online Title IV Institutions

Source: U.S. Department of Education, 2023

Are Accelerated School Counseling Programs Harder Than Traditional Formats?

Accelerated school counseling programs are generally harder than traditional formats due to their condensed timelines, faster pacing, and significantly increased workload, which demand strong time management and dedication from students.

Below is a comparison highlighting key differences between accelerated and traditional school counseling programs.

Course Pacing and Content Density: Accelerated programs feature classes lasting 5-10 weeks and pack more courses per term, while traditional programs typically span 15-16 weeks per class, allowing a steadier learning pace.
Workload Management: Students excelling under pressure may find accelerated schedules motivating, but those balancing work or family often struggle with the heightened demands and fewer breaks.
Academic Expectations and Skill Demands: Both formats require practicum or internships and rigorous coursework, maintaining similar academic standards despite the different paces.
Learning Retention and Stress Levels: Accelerated schedules can increase stress and may reduce long-term retention for some, whereas traditional formats reduce burnout risk by offering more time to absorb material.
Schedule Flexibility and Structure: Traditional school counseling programs offer greater flexibility and adaptability in managing daily tasks, benefiting students needing a less intensive approach.

Overall, accelerated programs suit highly motivated, organized individuals prepared for a demanding educational path. Those seeking more gradual progress may prefer traditional programs.

Prospective students interested in flexible options can research accredited online universities free to apply that offer various formats to fit different lifestyles and learning preferences.

Can You Manage a Part-Time Job While Majoring in School Counseling?

Students can realistically manage a part-time job while majoring in school counseling, though success varies with individual circumstances. Key factors include the intensity of coursework, obligations from practicum or internships, the number of weekly work hours, and the flexibility of the job schedule.

Personal study habits and effective time management also significantly affect a student's ability to juggle both roles. Generally, working up to 15-20 hours per week is manageable without harming academic performance.

Balancing part-time work with school counseling demands often involves deliberate planning and strategic choices. The combination of coursework and practical tasks, like client sessions and supervision, creates variable weekly workloads that can be challenging to predict.

Students frequently select flexible jobs, such as on-campus positions, that accommodate fluctuating academic demands and practicum schedules. Many also reduce credit loads during intensive semesters or leverage campus and online resources to maintain academic engagement.

Given the emotional and cognitive intensity of school counseling studies, students who anticipate these demands and adjust their work commitments accordingly tend to navigate this balance more successfully.

What Jobs Do School Counseling Majors Get, and Are They as Hard as the Degree Itself?

Career paths for school counseling majors vary widely in difficulty, responsibility, and the skills required. While some jobs are as challenging as the major itself, others may feel less demanding or require different types of expertise.

School Counselor (Elementary, Middle, or High School): School counselors support students' academic, social, and emotional growth, handle crisis intervention, and collaborate with families and teachers. The emotional and workload demands are typically as rigorous as the degree, requiring resilience and advanced problem-solving skills.
Academic Advisor: Academic advisors assist college students with course planning and university procedures. This role is generally less emotionally intense than traditional school counseling and is considered less demanding than the school counseling major, though strong organizational skills are important.
Career Services Counselor: Career counselors help students and alumni with job searches, resumes, and interview preparation. Their focus is practical career coaching rather than crisis management, presenting challenges in resource coordination but often less emotional stress.
Community Mental Health Counselor: With extra licensure, graduates provide therapy outside schools, managing complex mental health needs across diverse populations. This role is often more demanding than school counseling studies due to heavy caseloads and challenging client situations.
School Counseling Consultant: Consultants advise schools on counseling programs and professional development, requiring leadership and project management abilities. The workload is intense but differs in nature, emphasizing expertise over direct student counseling.

Those exploring school counseling jobs and salary in California or elsewhere should understand that many positions require a master's degree, state certification, and supervised internships, all reflecting the challenging nature of the major.

For more information on varied career options, see what careers can you go to trade school for.

Do School Counseling Graduates Earn Higher Salaries Because the Major Is Harder?

There is no clear link between the difficulty of a school counseling major and higher salaries. Although the program requires a master's degree and extensive supervised clinical experience, salary levels mainly depend on factors beyond just academic challenge.

Skill development and licensure are essential but do not solely determine pay. Market demand and the specific responsibilities of a counselor influence earnings more significantly than the perceived rigor of the major itself.

Several key elements shape salaries for school counseling graduates. Geographic location plays a major role-median pay can vary widely, from about $54,000 in Florida to over $94,000 in California-reflecting local cost of living and needs.

Experience and additional qualifications often lead to higher wages, as do roles with leadership duties or work in larger school districts.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics notes a national median salary of $65,140 as of May 2024, with top earners exceeding $105,000, underscoring that market trends and job responsibilities drive compensation more than major difficulty.

What Graduates Say About School Counseling as Their Major

Edith: "Choosing school counseling as a major was definitely challenging but incredibly rewarding. The coursework demanded a lot of emotional resilience and critical thinking, which prepared me well for my career helping students navigate their struggles. Yes, the cost of attendance was steep-often around $20,000 per year-but knowing the positive impact I can make makes every penny worth it."

Ava: "Studying school counseling pushed me to grow both personally and professionally. It wasn't the easiest path, especially balancing fieldwork with classes, yet the real-world experience was invaluable. Considering the average expenses, I had to be mindful of finances, but scholarships helped ease that burden. Ultimately, it's a major that truly equips you for a meaningful career."

Rory: "From a career perspective, school counseling is demanding but fulfilling. The academic rigor challenges your problem-solving and empathy skills, which are crucial in this field. While tuition and fees can be high, especially at private institutions, I view it as an investment in a profession that offers long-term stability and personal satisfaction."

Other Things You Should Know About School Counseling Degrees

Is school counseling a stressful major?

School counseling can be stressful due to the emotional demands of working with students facing various personal and academic challenges. However, much of the stress depends on individual coping skills and the support systems available during coursework and practicum experiences.

Do school counseling students need strong research skills?

Yes, school counseling students are expected to have solid research skills, particularly in understanding educational psychology, counseling theories, and program evaluation. These skills support evidence-based decision-making and the development of intervention plans.

How important are practicum and internship experiences in school counseling programs?

Practicum and internship experiences are crucial in school counseling majors because they provide hands-on training working directly with students under supervision.

These experiences help students apply theory to practice and develop professional competencies required for certification and employment.

Are ethical considerations emphasized in school counseling education?

Ethics is a fundamental part of school counseling education. Students must learn to navigate confidentiality, dual relationships, and legal responsibilities to protect students' rights while supporting their well-being, making ethical training a major focus in the curriculum.