Culturally Informed Counseling Certificate

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Program Description

The Culturally Informed Counseling certificate program is comprised of 12 credit hours of rigorous interactive learning courses which provide comprehensive study into the interdisciplinary field of multicultural competence and advocacy in counseling. Each course focuses on a critical analysis in a specific area of social justice, including culturally oppressive mental health practices; historical and current sociocultural understandings of oppression which affect diagnosis, treatment planning, and community advocacy; an examination of difference, power, privilege, justice, and activism; and direct applications of culturally aware interventions in diverse practice settings.

Admission Requirements

Anyone with a Master’s degree and/or is pursuing a Master’s in any program in Human Services and other related fields are eligible to apply for the Culturally Informed Counseling Certificate (e.g. social work, psychology, counseling, administration, education, and nursing).

Program Learning Outcomes

At the completion of the Certificate program, students will be able to:

1. Address mental health issues related to social change, cultures, immigration, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, religious affiliation, and unique characteristics of individuals, couples, families, ethnic groups, and communities; 

2. Provide a critical analysis of key theoretical views current sociocultural understandings of oppression, difference, power, privilege, justice, and activism;

3. Examine oppressive practices within community mental health treatment and presents culturally sensitive interventions and prevention strategies based on public health principles including current applications of the Counselor-Advocate-Scholar Model in diverse practice settings;

4. Engage in assessment and evaluation of attitudes, systems, and practices which create inequity in institutions, programs, and schools, and construct sustainable solutions to mental health barriers across mental health contexts.

For More Information

• School of Social Work and Human Services
• College of Health, Education, and Human Services

Program Requirements

12 Credit Hours

• CNL 7290 - Multicultural Counseling Credit Hour(s): 3
• CNL 7310 - Anti-Oppressive Practice in Counseling Credit Hour(s): 3
• CNL 7320 - Social Justice Action in Counseling Credit Hour(s): 3
• CNL 7330 - Seminar in Culturally Informed Counseling Credit Hour(s): 3

Total Credit Hours: 12