For those of you interested in becoming an international school counselor, here is some information to help you get started:

First off you should know that there is no “one” international school counseling Credential that you need to have to work in international schools. Schools vary in what they require, and can hire, in their country according to their school policies and government regulations. If you are interested in being a school counselor,  we can best advise you to seek out the credentials you require in your home country. Also note requirements can vary based on the state (for the United States), country (UK, Australia, Ireland, etc) and province (Canada, for example).

Please note: There are some international programs where you can receive a Certificate (which is not the same as a Counseling Credential and may not allow you to work back in your home country should you return) or get a Master’s in Counseling.

Below are some of the programs we can recommend, or know are recognized internationally. Again, it is not necessary that you go through one of these programs below. If you have a School Counseling Credential or Counseling Masters (or similar) from your home country or state, this is often what schools are looking for. 

Below are some links that you might find useful: 

• International Model Training: ISCA Institutes
• Masters of Arts in Counseling: The College of New Jersey in Lisbon, Portugal
• Master of International Counseling (M.Ed): Lehigh University or their domestic Counseling Program with includes Pennsylvania Certification: Lehigh University 
• College Counselor Training (a necessity for anyone new to college counseling): The College Board’s Summer Institute for International Counselors at NYU
• Certificate of International School Counseling: CTC
• Ed.M. in School Counseling and New York Certification (Certificate of Advanced Study in School Counseling): SUNY Buffalo (many ISCA Institutes receive SUNY credits).
• College Training: International ACAC
• TIE Online: https://www.tieonline.com/

Other tips: 

• Our organization (ISCA) offers Annual Conferences where you can receive Continued Education Units (CEUs) ; many counselors have used the CEUs for recertification through their professional development.
  
• Join ISCA and connect with other international school counselors!  We are an international association meeting the needs of counselors overseas.  Our ISCA members come from diverse backgrounds and nationalities. We are united by our diversity as we work in international schools around the world!
• Attend an ISCA event.

Find a Counseling Job!  Contact one of the following recruiting agencies to start the process:

• Teach Overseas: https://teachoverseas.uni.edu/fair
• ISS: https://www.iss.edu/Home
• Search Associates: https://www.searchassociates.com
• As a member benefit, check out the job listings on the ISCA website during the recruiting season.