Required Courses
We recommend taking these courses in the following order: X414.83, X414.89, X414.90, X414.84, X414.85.
certificate
College Counseling
Develop the skills necessary for advising college-bound students in this seven-course certificate program. Format: Online
This program is perfect for...
- High school college and career counselors seeking to develop their professional competencies
- College admissions personnel interested in high school and institutional processes and protocols
- Professionals planning on creating independent educational consulting practices
- Teachers and administrators pursuing greater expertise in post-secondary options for their students
- Individuals working for educational non-profits or community-based organizations to guide under-resourced students to college
What you can learn.
- Explore the unique responsibilities and resources available for guidance and college counselors
- Discover the fundamentals of financial aid; types and sources; how to apply; eligibility; and how to best use scholarship search services
- Learn the college admissions process, including choosing a school, writing letters of recommendation, and determining acceptance criteria
- Discuss the unique needs of specialized college-bound groups, including students with learning differences, undocumented students, LGBTQ+ students, and military veterans
Chart a path to success.
If you have a passion for helping students succeed, an aptitude for working with parents, and the capacity for coaching and goal setting, it’s worth exploring a career in college counseling.
The College Counseling Certificate is designed for secondary school counselors, teachers, career counselors, admissions personnel, and professionals interested in expanding their skillset or establishing independent educational consultancies.
The program is also ideal for college admissions professionals seeking to advise high school students on post-secondary options.
Format: 100% online
Duration: 1-2 years to complete. Typical pace is 1-2 courses per quarter. Start any quarter.
Perhaps you’re already involved in college admissions counseling or have done some undergraduate study in the field.
Maybe you’re seeking a promotion, contemplating a career change, or looking to open your own consultancy. In all of these circumstances, a certificate program can be right for you.
Two-week intensive courses.
Explore the field of College Counseling or learn new skills with these short, intensive two-week courses. These courses are complementary to the certificate program.
Introduction to College Admissions
An introduction to the numerous aspects of the college admissions process.
Introduction to Making College Affordable
Examine issues around the cost of college and college affordability, including the relationship between the admission and financial aid applications.
Introduction to Writing College Essays Part 1: Brainstorming
Explore techniques, standards and ethics for supporting high school students through the college essay writing process.
Introduction to Writing College Essays Part 2: Structure and Review
Learn the essential skills that high school students need to compose college essays: identifying prompts, structuring the essay, managing drafts, and final editing.
Expect more from your education.
Courses
Click below to view the required and elective courses, if applicable, for this program.
Elective Courses
Students must complete two elective courses.
Estimated Cost Breakdown
All courses in this program are paid for individually, unless otherwise noted. An application form is required to establish candidacy in this program. From the 'Apply Now' button, complete the online application and pay the application fee if applicable.
**Federal Financial Aid Gainful Employment Disclosures
The U.S. Department of Education requires colleges and universities to disclose certain information for any financial aid eligible program that, “prepares students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation”. This information includes program costs; occupations that the program prepares students to enter; occupational profiles; on time completion rate; and for the most recent award year: the number of students who have completed the program, the number of students who complete the program within the estimated duration, the job placement rate, and the median Title IV and private loan debt incurred by those who complete the program. For gainful employment information for this program, visit our Financial Aid page.
Contact Us
Speak to a program representative. Hours: Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm.
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