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School Counseling Certificate

Effect systemic change as a data-driven and culturally-responsive school counselor.

Make a difference in the lives of students, families and your community by earning an online graduate certificate in K-12 school counseling. This online program prepares aspiring school counselors to promote the academic, career, personal and social development of K-12 students.

Program type:
Certificate - Graduate
Format:
Online
Est. time to complete:
5 - 9 semesters depending on track
Credit hours:
23 Re-specialization Track or 48 Educators Track

Why earn a school counseling certificate?

Application Deadlines
Fall:
Aug. 1
Spring:
Dec. 1
Summer:
May 1

Designed for working professionals, this certificate program prepares you to work as a school counselor — helping students overcome obstacles and reach their academic and career goals.

Complete your post-graduate certificate online with one of two tracks:

  • The 100% online Re-Specialization Track is designed for students who already have a Master's degree in either mental health counseling or community agency counseling. 
  • The 100% online Educators Track is designed for students who already have a Master's degree in Education.

Completion of coursework leads to eligibility for state department of education licensure in North Dakota and may be compatible with licensure requirements in other states.

For students looking for more information related to the Re-Specialization Track, please visit this link to get program details.

 

K-12 School Counseling Certificate

  • Take classes with nationally recognized faculty who have diverse experiences working with children and adolescents in community and school settings.

  • Learn to work effectively with educational and community stakeholders to facilitate positive systemic change.

  • Build data-driven decision-making skills by completing a school-based scholarly project.

Careers as a School Counselor 

11%

Anticipated job growth for school and career counselors

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

58K

Median salary for school and career counselors

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

A post-graduate certificate in K - 12 School Counseling from UND prepares you for a fulfilling career as a professional school counselor in a range of school settings, including:

  • Elementary schools
  • Middle schools
  • High schools

School counselors typically do the following:

  • Evaluate students’ abilities and interests through aptitude assessments, interviews, and individual planning
  • Identify issues that affect school performance, such as poor classroom attendance rates
  • Help students understand and overcome social or behavioral problems through classroom guidance lessons and counseling
  • Counsel individuals and small groups on the basis of student and school needs
  • Work with students to develop skills, such as organizational and time management abilities and effective study habits
  • Help students create a plan to achieve academic and career goals
  • Collaborate with teachers, administrators, and parents to help students succeed
  • Teach students and school staff about specific topics, such as bullying, drug abuse, and planning for college or careers after graduation
  • Maintain records as required
  • Report possible cases of neglect or abuse and refer students and parents to resources outside the school for additional support

School Counseling Certificate Courses

COUN 522. School Counseling and Program Management. 3 Credits.

Theory, research, and practice of K-12 school counseling and school counseling program management. F,S,SS.

COUN 526. Educational Collaboration. 3 Credits.

The course focuses on the knowledge and skills essential to the consulting/collaboration process for professional school counselors in order to effectively support student adjustment and achievement. Collaboration for school improvement, program implementation, and work with parents, educators and professionals in the community is emphasized. Prerequisite: Enrollment in School Counseling Distance Program or permission of instructor.

COUN 534. Child and Adolescent Counseling. 3 Credits.

Theory, research, and practice of child and adolescent counseling. F.

COUN 581. School Counseling Practicum. 1-4 Credits.

Introduction to counseling practice in a school setting. Emphasis on improvement and evaluation of individual and group counseling relationships. Development of skills in applying the role of counselor to the school environment. Prerequisites: COUN 501, COUN 510 and COUN 530, or permission of the instructor; 10 completed COUN credits. Repeatable to 4 credits. S/U grading. S,SS.

COUN 532. Multicultural Counseling. 4 Credits.

This course offers an introduction to counseling theories and interventions appropriate for American ethnic and non-ethnic minority clients. The values suppositions of various cultural groups will be examined. In-class group experience is included. F,S,SS.

COUN 519. Career Counseling. 3 Credits.

An introduction to the psychology of careers and to the practice of career counseling. Career development theories, occupational classification systems, assessment instruments, and the use of occupational information for career education and life planning are included. Career counseling strategies for use with a diverse population are introduced. F,S,SS.

Explore More Options

Connect with the counseling faculty you'll work with or find additional educational opportunities.

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