The Demand for Counselors in Virginia Schools

With almost half of students in Virginia's public middle and high schools reporting that they have experienced a mental health need within the current or past year, the state's legislators have recognized the need to bolster the resources available for students.¹ HB 181, a bill that would mandate an increase in the number of school counselors in Virginia, was introduced in 2024 and remains under legislative consideration.²

The bill is Virginia's latest effort to attend to the mental and physical well-being of its student population. Previous efforts include 2021 legislation requiring that school counselors receive training in helping students with mental health challenges, and a bill that added $50 million to the state's budget for school support staff, including counselors.^3,4 Despite these efforts, there remains room for improvement: Virginia's current student-to-school-counselor ratio stands at 279:1, exceeding the American School Counselor Association's (ASCA) recommended ratio of 250:1. This suggests that demand for school counseling services in the state may continue to outpace available resources.⁵

School counselors—licensed professionals with training in helping students with their academic goals, career preparation and mental health support—are a critical part of the education system. The state legislature's efforts to mandate an increase in their number speak to the ongoing school counselor shortage in Virginia.

This article examines the factors behind that shortage and why counselors can look forward to fulfilling careers supporting inclusivity and closing educational opportunity gaps.

Why the Demand for Counselors is Increasing

Virginia has observed a mental health and behavioral crisis within its school system since students returned to classrooms after COVID-19 restrictions were lifted in 2022.⁶ For years, the state legislature has considered various proposed measures to address rising student needs for academic and mental health support. Some bills, such as HB 1945 / SB 1037 — which mandates that students be allowed to schedule telehealth appointments during school hours — have successfully increased the available options.⁷ Others, such as the continually delayed HB 181 initiative to increase the number of school counselors, have had a harder time getting through the state legislature.³

School counselors are on the front lines of addressing the needs of Virginia's students. Drawing on their state-mandated mental health training, they support social-emotional learning and college readiness, work to close achievement gaps, and advocate for social justice within the school system.

With the 2021 boost to funding for counseling positions and continuing efforts to bring Virginia's school counseling caseloads in line with national recommendations, there is strong policy support for an increase in the overall number of counselors in Virginia's schools.

Current Job Outlook in Virginia

There are nationwide concerns about mental health issues within the American K-12 student population. A 2022 study found that 69% of schools reported an increase in mental health concerns among their students, and around 50% of schools also reported inadequate access to licensed mental health professionals.⁸ This disconnect illustrates the need for licensed professionals in schools across America. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) recognizes this need and projects 4% job growth for school counselors between 2024 and 2034.⁹

For the decade between 2022 and 2032, the projected growth rate for Virginia counseling jobs is 5.1%.¹⁰ This is driven by factors such as HB 181, state legislation that aims to reduce the ratio of full-time school counselors per school board from one for every 325 students to one for every 250 students.¹¹

Roles and Responsibilities of School Counselors

The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) defines the role of school counselors as maximizing success for every student.¹² In practice, this means that school counselors take on responsibilities such as academic advising and career-readiness programs, in addition to providing mental health support and crisis intervention services.

As a school counselor, you'll collaborate with teachers, parents and administrators — everyone and anyone who might influence a student's ability to succeed — to engineer effective solutions both for the individual student and across the school system.

Educational and Licensing Requirements in Virginia

For licensure as a school counselor in Virginia, you will need:¹³

• A master's degree, concentrating on school counseling, from an accredited, state-approved program
• Clinical experience of 100 hours with preK-6 and 100 hours with grades 7-12 as part of your degree program
• Training in dyslexia, child abuse, mental health and first aid
• Two years of full-time teaching or counseling experience; those who do not satisfy this requirement will earn a two-year provisional license

Virginia requires that licensed counselors accrue 180 professional development points (attained by attending conferences and engaging in continuing education) over the five years of their licensure to be eligible for renewal of their license.¹⁴

The William & Mary Online Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Counseling program with a concentration in School Counseling is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). The robust curriculum meets all coursework and clinical instruction requirements for licensure in Virginia.

The Impact of Counselors on Student Outcomes

Research has repeatedly shown that school counselors can be effective in advancing the academic and emotional growth of students. A 2019 study funded by ASCA found that Indiana schools that maintained a 1:250 counselor-to-student ratio achieved higher SAT scores in mathematics (18 points above baseline), verbal (19 points higher) and writing (16 points higher).¹⁵

Individual counselors can also make a significant impact. For example, Lydia Thu Kim Larimore, a finalist in the ASCA 2026 School Counselor of the Year awards program, delivered a 44% reduction in chronic absenteeism at Neabsco Elementary School in Woodbridge, Virginia, through her Stars Supporting Stars student-driven peer mentorship program.¹⁶

As a counselor, you can drive student success in a variety of ways, from providing complementary academic support within the school system to helping individual students fulfill their potential through a deep understanding of their character and intellect.

Answer Virginia's Call: Become a Licensed School Counselor

In response to the school counselor shortage in Virginia, policy and funding changes have created new opportunities for counselors. This fulfilling career is ideal for those with education experience and anyone who wants to make a profound, positive impact on student success.

If you're ready to make a career change to school counseling or want to be assured that your counseling credentials will advance your eligibility for licensure in Virginia, consider the accredited Online M.Ed. in Counseling with a concentration in School Counseling from the William & Mary School of Education.

Our program's flexible, online approach to learning is designed for working professionals who want to pursue their educational goals without compromising career momentum. From your first virtual orientation session, you'll engage with our dynamic online learning management system, which keeps you connected to coursework, faculty and peers.

Explore how W&M can prepare you for a fulfilling career in school counseling. Schedule a call with an admissions outreach advisor to learn more about this CACREP-accredited program.