Sarah Wisemen always knew she had a future in education — what she didn’t know is what, exactly, that might look like.
“I knew for certain that I loved teaching kids,” Wiseman says. “I knew that I wanted to get my master’s degree in something in the education world, but the specifics were unclear.”
After graduating in 2020 with a bachelor’s degree in education from St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wisconsin, Wiseman jumped at the opportunity to get her master’s degree in counseling at Marquette, despite not knowing what she wanted to specialize in. All of that changed when she took Foundations of School Counseling in her first year of grad school.
“At that moment, I knew I was exactly where I belonged,” Wiseman explains. “I reflected on my education and my childhood a lot during my time getting my graduate degree, and a school counselor is precisely what I needed growing up. I view myself as a teacher like all the others, just in a different content area.”
Steve Schneider, adjunct professor in counselor education and counseling psychology, was teaching that class and witnessed Wiseman’s face light up with future possibilities.
“I recall her energy and excitement about the profession as she learned more about the role school counselors play in the lives of PK-12 grade students,” Schneider says. “She regularly shared with me her ideas of ways to incorporate the concepts we were learning in class into how she would deliver her services as a school counselor.”
Wiseman graduated in 2023 with a master’s in school counseling and is the first student from Marquette to become an ASCA-Certified School Counselor. The certification is designed to recognize school counselors who meet high standards of education, experience and professional development in the field.
“This certification indicates proficiency in school counseling practices, ethics and transformative education for students,” Wiseman explains. “I wanted to pursue this certification to enhance my credibility, demonstrate commitment to the school counseling profession and acquire specialized skills to better support students’ academic, social and emotional growth.”
Higher standards for school counselors
The ASCA School Counselor Certification was established in 2021; there are now 58 school counselors in the country with the designation.
Achieving certification is no easy feat with a long list of requirements that include a minimum of 600 clock hours of practicum or internship experience in school counseling, a completion of 50 hours of professional development within the past five years, with a minimum of three hours in ethics and three hours in diversity and social justice, and an agreement to adhere to the ASCA Code of Ethics.
According to the ASCA website, “School counselors who hold the ASCA demonstrate their commitment to the highest levels of professionalism, ethical practice and continuing professional development in their school counseling practice.”
“In order to obtain the certification, a school counselor must submit a portfolio of their work to ASCA,” Schneider explains. “The portfolio is reviewed for evidence of exemplary work. To receive the certification is an endorsement from the national level that a school counselor is practicing at the highest level of professional practice.”
Schneider and Wiseman are currently the only ASCA-Certified School Counselors in Wisconsin; the two are advocates for student certification.
Having the certification has influenced Wiseman’s daily practices by providing a structured framework and set of standards that guide her counseling approach, helping her be more intentional and effective in her interactions with students.
“It has deepened my understanding of the importance of data-driven practices, emphasizing the need to assess student needs and measure outcomes systematically,” Wiseman says. “This certification has also enhanced my professional identity, reinforcing that I am not just a counselor but an essential advocate for students’ success, leading me to view my role as a proactive partner in fostering student well-being and achievement.”
Wiseman is currently working for the Kettle Moraine School District at Cushing Elementary while finishing a degree in clinical mental health and counseling at Marquette. She hopes her passion for children’s well-being and development will make a lasting impact on their lives, as well as her own.
“My commitment to personal growth will undoubtedly enhance my ability to connect with and support my students,” Wiseman says. “By continually expanding my knowledge and skills, I will not only model lifelong learning but also empower children to embrace their own potential.”
