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Teen counselor education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a teen counselor. Teen counselors usually study psychology, business, or criminal justice. 64% of teen counselors hold a bachelor's degree, and 12% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 896 real teen counselor resumes to see exactly what teen counselor education sections show.
The most common colleges for teen counselors are the University of Connecticut and the University of Connecticut.
There are also many online teen counselor courses to help get the education required to be a teen counselor.
What education do you need to become a teen counselor?
What degree do you need to be a teen counselor?
- Bachelor's, 64%
- Associate, 12%
- High School Diploma, 11%
- Master's, 8%
- Other Degrees, 5%
What should I major in to become a teen counselor?
- Psychology, 21%
- Business, 10%
- Criminal Justice, 9%
- Communication, 7%
- Other Majors, 53%
Most common colleges for teen counselors
| Teen counselor common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Connecticut | 6.90% |
| Texas Southern University | 6.90% |
| Sam Houston State University | 6.90% |
| Texas A&M University | 5.17% |
| Grand Valley State University | 5.17% |
Best majors for teen counselors
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psychology | 20.9% |
| 2 | Business | 10.1% |
| 3 | Criminal Justice | 9.5% |
| 4 | Communication | 6.5% |
| 5 | Sociology | 5.9% |
Best colleges for teen counselors
The best colleges for teen counselors are Northwestern University, New York University, and Johns Hopkins University.
A teen counselor with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for teen counselors. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become teen counselors.
1. SUNY at Binghamton
Vestal, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$9,808
Enrollment
13,990
2. Howard University
Washington, DC • Private
In-state tuition
$26,756
Enrollment
6,166
3. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$55,695
Enrollment
6,596
4. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Enrollment
9,142
5. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Enrollment
31,503
6. Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$18,454
Enrollment
40,108
7. San Diego State University
San Diego, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,488
Enrollment
30,018
8. California State University - Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,942
Enrollment
13,871
9. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
10. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI • Private
In-state tuition
$15,262
Enrollment
30,079
20 best online courses for teen counselors
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3. Parenting Teens with Confidence: Certified Practitioner
The Ultimate Parenting Teens Course: Accredited Certification and Practical Strategies for Navigating Adolescence...
4. Crisis Intervention Seminar
The emphasis is on the development of fundamental clinical skills in the area of crisis intervention...
5. Communication Skills PLUS Leadership - 2 in 1 Masterclass
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6. Certified Spiritual Counselor & Psychology EmpathACCREDITED
Use a humanistic, soul care approach using strategy, positive psychology, emotional/impulse responses & natural empathy...
7. Conflict Resolution in Leadership and Talent Management
You'll learn diagnosis and resolution techniques for tense, sensitive conflicts with your team members/reports...
8. Conflict Resolution and De-Escalation for Upset Customers
You'll learn diagnosis and resolution techniques for tense, sensitive conflicts with upset clients and customers...
9. Business Communication Skills: Handling Clients & Customers
Soft Skills Training Social Skills Business Etiquette Business English Customer Service Training...
10. Public Relations: Media Crisis Communications
Public Relations: You Can Shape and Control Your Media Messages at The Worst Possible Times...
11. Specialized Certificate Course in Psychological Counseling
The course develops your Practical Counseling Skills and Therapeutic Competencies...
12. Communication Skills Masterclass - Your Communication Guide
Communication Skill For Business Communication & Effective Communication In Workplace & Relationships...
13. Conflict Resolution for Co-Workers
You'll learn diagnosis and resolution techniques for tense, sensitive conflicts with your co-workers, manager or peers...
14. Anger Management & Conflict Resolution Program - (4 hours)
How to manage anger and ensure it does not explode into rage. Enhance your life by building quality relationships...
15. Supervisor Leadership Skills for a Safe Workplace
Learn safety communication skills to foster safety accountability, responsibility and correct safety behaviours...
16. Professional Certification in Counseling - Fully Accredited
Become Professional Counselor (Counsellor)...
17. Basic Communication Skills
Learn how to be an effective communicator...
18. Complete Guide to Conflict Management in the Workplace
Conflict management: learn conflict resolution skills & effective listening, communication & problem solving techniques...
19. [Accredited] Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) Counselor
Learn DBT in depth, start conducting sessions with ready to use templates, and set up counseling practice within weeks!...
20. Active Listening - The Complete Guide
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Top 10 most affordable universities for teen counselors
The most affordable schools for teen counselors are California State University - Bakersfield, california state university - long beach, and suny farmingdale.
If the best universities for teen counselors are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for teen counselors.
1. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
2. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
3. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
4. California State University - Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,942
Cost of attendance
14,469
5. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,410
Cost of attendance
20,456
6. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
7. California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,749
Cost of attendance
14,823
8. Florida International University
Miami, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,556
Cost of attendance
19,434
9. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
10. USF Sarasota-Manatee
Sarasota, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,587
Cost of attendance
13,043
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for teen counselors
The hardest universities for teen counselors to get into are Northwestern University, New York University, and Johns Hopkins University.
Some great schools for teen counselors are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for teen counselors based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
2. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
3. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
4. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
Admissions rate
9%
SAT average
1,516
5. George Washington University, The
Washington, DC • Private
Admissions rate
42%
SAT average
1,380
6. Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA • Private
Admissions rate
28%
SAT average
1,429
7. SUNY at Binghamton
Vestal, NY • Private
Admissions rate
40%
SAT average
1,376
8. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
9. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,466
10. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for teen counselors
The easiest schools for teen counselors to get into are Bluefield College, gwynedd mercy university, and wayland baptist university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a teen counselor without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for teen counselors.
1. Bluefield College
Bluefield, VA • Private
Admissions rate
95%
SAT average
980
2. Gwynedd Mercy University
Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,031
3. Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, TX • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
1,003
4. Curry College
Milton, MA • Private
Admissions rate
93%
SAT average
1,026
5. Felician University
Lodi, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
81%
SAT average
999
6. Nyack College
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
999
7. Notre Dame College
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
994
8. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK • Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
964
9. Kean University
Union, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
991
10. Holy Family University
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
72%
SAT average
1,017
Average teen counselor salary by education level
| Teen counselor education level | Teen counselor salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $37,706 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $30,585 |
| Doctorate Degree | $38,693 |
Teen counselor education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common community and social services questions.
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025