Students completing the M.A. program in school counseling will be eligible for school counselor licensure in Iowa. Iowa requires separate elementary (K-8) and secondary (5-12) licenses for school counselors. It is recommended that students apply for licensure during their final semester of courses. Licensure information can be obtained from the Office of Student Services website, or from Lynn McMorris (Email:lynn-mcmorris@uiowa.edu).

Requirements for licensure/certification vary from state to state. Students planning to seek employment in other states should contact their state board of education for information regarding specific requirements. Iowa no longer requires school counselors to have teaching backgrounds, but some states still do have this requirement. In addition, most states do not have reciprocity agreements with Iowa; in other words, an Iowa school counselor license will not enable someone to practice in another state.