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ArtsPsychology & Counselling

School Counsellor

School counsellors in India work with students, teachers and families to support emotional wellbeing, academic planning and career guidance. Typical preparation includes psychology and education degrees followed by specialised counselling certifications or M.Ed/M.A. in guidance and counselling.

Salary range
₹3–12 LPA
Job growth
high
Work type
School-based / Office / Hybrid
Paths to entry
3 routes

Actions for your grade

  • Choose subjects that keep options open (sciences or humanities with psychology later)
  • Attend workshops on mental health and counselling
  • Start basic online courses in psychology or counselling

Your complete path from Grade 10 to School Counsellor

Every step you need — from now to your first job.

Undergraduate psychology route
Arts

Many central and state universities use CUET for admissions; follow up with a counselling certificate or M.Ed for school roles.

  1. Now
    Arts Stream
  2. Exams
    CUET UG
  3. Degree
    BA (Hons) Psychology / BSc Psychology (3 years) → MA/MSc Psychology (2 years) + PG certificate in Counselling
  4. Colleges
    University of Delhi · Jamia Millia Islamia · Christ University Bengaluru
  5. Career
    School Counsellor
B.Ed / Education specialization
Any Stream

B.Ed requires prior graduation; entrance tests and eligibility vary by state and university.

  1. Now
    Any Stream Stream
  2. Exams
    —
  3. Degree
    B.Ed (2 years) after graduation or Diploma/PG Diploma in Guidance & Counselling (1 year)
  4. Colleges
    Tata Institute of Social Sciences · Indira Gandhi National Open University · Department of Education University of Delhi
  5. Career
    School Counsellor
Postgraduate & clinical route
Science

Clinical and M.Phil programs often require university-specific entrance tests and RCI recognition for clinical practice.

  1. Now
    Science Stream
  2. Exams
    CUET UG
  3. Degree
    MA/MSc Psychology (2 years) → M.Phil/PhD in Clinical/Counselling Psychology (RCI-recognised) or M.Ed with counselling specialization
  4. Colleges
    Nimhans Bengaluru · Tata Institute of Social Sciences · Banaras Hindu University
  5. Career
    School Counsellor

Entrance exams

ExamEligibilityDifficultyWindow
CUET UG
NTA
Class 12 (any stream)MediumMay-Jun

Where to Study

Institutes known to offer this career pathway in India.

Delhi University
University of Delhi
Central GovtNew Delhi, Delhi
CUET UGEntrance test (DUET/departmental)Merit-based
JMI
Jamia Millia Islamia
Central GovtNew Delhi, Delhi
JEE MainCUETJMI Entrance Exam
Christ University
Christ University
Deemed UniversityBengaluru, Karnataka
Christ University Entrance TestCUET
St. Xavier's College
St. Xavier's College, Mumbai
AutonomousMumbai, Maharashtra
Merit-basedInstitute entrance
TISS
Tata Institute of Social Sciences
Deemed UniversityMumbai, Maharashtra
TISSNETInstitute entranceMerit-based
IGNOU
Indira Gandhi National Open University
Central GovtNew Delhi, Delhi
Merit-basedIGNOU Entrance TestOPENMAT
DoE DU
Department of Education, University of Delhi
Central GovtNew Delhi, Delhi
CUET PGMerit-based
NIMHANS
National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences
AutonomousBengaluru, Karnataka
NEET PGInstitute entranceMerit-based
BHU
Banaras Hindu University
Central GovtVaranasi, Uttar Pradesh
CUETJEE MainNEET UG
Recommendations only — verify eligibility, seat availability, and admission rules from official portals before applying.