Post Master’s Certificate in School Counseling

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This College of Education certificate is designed for those who already possess a master’s degree in Counseling or Psychology and now wish to pursue licensure in School Counseling. This set of a minimum of 24 hours meets the ISBE requirements for Educator License - School Counseling.

ISBE Certification

The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) has approved the School Counseling program to prepare candidates for the Educator License with an endorsement in School Counseling.

All School Counseling students must present evidence of passing the ILTS School Counselor Content Exam before they are permitted to begin internship and before they will be recommended for Educator License.

Admissions Criteria

In addition to the GSU graduate certificate requirements for admission, applicants must:

1. Provide evidence of having completed a master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education in counseling or psychology;
2. Have a graduate GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Student Progress

The faculty monitor and evaluate student progress continuously. The Counseling Department Faculty and Student Handbook provides a specific description of the standards used to evaluate student progress.

Conditional Continuation

The faculty may permit a student to progress conditionally. In such cases, faculty review of the applicant’s record and performance identifies evidence that the student is likely to be successful in the program. The status of all students permitted to progress conditionally is reviewed by the faculty each term, and students are informed in writing of the conditions necessary for them to be transferred to good standing status. When conditions are met, the student is transferred to good standing status. Students may not be admitted to the culminating project without achieving good standing status.

Certificate Requirements

1. Students must meet all university requirements for a certificate. See the internship manual or materials for additional information.
2. In addition, candidates must complete all relevant requirements in the Teacher Education and Licensure section of the University Catalog.
3. A 600-hour internship is required for all counseling students.

Prior to receiving the university recommendation for the Educator License, students must provide evidence of having passed the School Counselor content area examination of the Illinois Licensure Testing System.

Required Preparation/Prerequisite Courses (21 Hours)

Counseling Course Prerequisites

• COUN - 6610 Research and Assessment (3) *
• COUN - 6630 Counseling Theories and Ethics (3) *
• COUN - 7620 Lifespan Developmental Issues (3) *
• COUN - 7720 Social and Cultural Foundations (3) *
• COUN - 7725 Family Systems: Theory and Practice (3) *
• COUN - 7730 Life Style and Career Development (3) *
• COUN - 7847 Group Dynamics (3) *

• * or equivalent course

School Counseling Required Certificate Courses (27 Hours)

• COUN - 6638 Introduction to School Counseling (3)
• COUN - 7722 Applied School Counseling with Diverse Students (3)
• COUN - 8844 Practicum: School Counseling (K-12) (3)
• COUN - 8851 Consultation and School Staff Development (3)
• COUN - 8852 College Career Coaching Academy (3)
• COUN - 8858 Development of School Counseling Programs (3)
• COUN - 8968 Counseling Internship I: School Counseling (3)
• COUN - 8969 Counseling Internship II: School Counseling (3)
• PSYC - 7650 Crisis Preparedness, Prevention, and Intervention in Schools. (3)

Total - minimum of 27 Hours