Ethical Responsibilities
School counselors face ethical challenges every day. Whether you are new to the field or have been practicing for years, ethical challenges can still throw you for a loop. From confidentiality issues to records maintenance, from duty of care to sexual harassment issues, a school counselor's ethical questions can spring up from every corner. Ïã½¶ÊÓÆµprovides a number of resources and services to help members meet these legal and ethical challenges as comprehensively as possible.
The Ïã½¶ÊÓÆµEthical Standards for School Counselors (also available in Spanish) are the basis of ASCA's ethical program. Review the changes in the 2022 standards vs. the 2016 standards.
Ïã½¶ÊÓÆµalso has Ethical Standards for School Counselor Education Faculty.
The association also publishes books and journal articles on legal and ethical issues, as well as addressing them in the members-only ASCA Scene. Each issue of ASCA School Counselor magazine contains an article written by the chair of ASCA's Ethics Committee about a legal or ethical issue.
Webinars
View a variety of in school counseling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have a legal or ethical question or challenge? Take a look at our frequently asked questions. If you can't find an answer there, post your question on the and get advice and suggestions from other school counselors or e-mail ethics@schoolcounselor.org.
State-by-State Statutes
Does your state require school counselors to report suspected child abuse?
Legal and Ethical Specialist
Interested in improving your knowledge of school counseling legal and ethical issues? Become a Legal and Ethical Specialist with this online training program.