Post Master's Certificate
Graduate counseling certificate programs are designed for individuals who have a master's degree in Counseling from a CACREP-accredited institution (or equivalent) and are interested in acquiring additional knowledge and skills, and potentially the necessary credentials, to work in other settings. We offer certificate programs in:
- Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- School Counseling (two options)
A total of 9 to 25 credits, including a one-or two-semester internship, will be required for each certificate program, depending on the background of the individual and the intended emphasis.
If you are pursuing a certification or licensure, you are advised to talk directly with personnel in those State of Wisconsin agencies (Department of Safety and Professional Services or Department of Public Instruction) regarding your specific requirements.
Please note that these certificate programs are NOT accredited by CACREP and financial aid is NOT available for certificate programs at this time.
Application Procedures
To apply, you need to first complete a School of Graduate Studies application; this form and more information is found on the grad studies webpage.
- Initial application and transcript(s)
- Autobiography and Career Goals: In one to two pages, please provide information about yourself and your career goals. For example, outline your goals related to the certificate program completion (e.g., How will this certificate program help you meet your career goals?) In addition, what is motivating you to pursue a certificate program currently? How do you anticipate bringing your previous learning into the program.
- Coursework Checklist: Complete the course checklist included on the online application.
Certificate in Clinical Mental Health Counseling - The Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) has specific requirements for the license in professional counseling (LPC) and license in professional Counseling in training (LPC-IT). Our assessment of courses taken is our best estimation of coursework required; however, only DSPS can tell you which courses will be required for licensure.
Certificate in School Counseling - The Wisconsin Department of DPI has specific requirements related to school counseling. As such, part of the application process will include an assessment of previous coursework taken.
Educator to School Counselor Post-Master's Certificate and Licensure Program - Please see information here.
Applications for the certificate programs are accepted on a rolling basis. Admission decisions are made by consensus of the faculty. If admitted, a faculty advisor will be assigned and will work with you to determine a Program of Study (POS). Certificate programs must be completed within a seven-year time frame.
Certificate Programs
Program Objective
The graduate certificate in clinical mental health counseling is designed for individuals who have a master's degree in Counseling from a CACREP accredited institution (or equivalent) in an emphasis other than clinical mental health counseling. This certificate may lead to licensure as a License Professional Counseling in Training (LPC-IT) through the Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS).
Course sequence
| COUNSED 712 | Professional Foundations of Counseling | 3 Credits |
| COUNSED 716 | Crisis Intervention and Trauma Counseling Across Settings | 3 Credits |
| COUNSED 746 | Chemical Dependency | 3 Credits |
| COUNSED 753 | Treatment of Mental Health Disorders | 3 Credits |
| COUNSED 7xx | Electives (up to 6 credits, depending on the student's background) | 0-6 Credits |
| COUNSED 795 | Internship | 3 Credits |
| TOTAL | 15-18 Credits |
Program Objectives
The graduate certificate in school counseling is designed for individuals who have a master's degree in Counseling from a CACREP-accredited institution (or equivalent) in an emphasis other than school counseling. This certificate may lead to licensure as a school counselor through the Department of Public Instruction. Requirements for completion of the program include a 3.0 GPA and a passing score on the PRAXIS II to gain endorsement for the license.
Course sequence:
| COUNSED 712 | Professional Foundations of Counseling | 3 Credits |
| COUNSED 716 | Crisis Intervention and Trauma Counseling Across Settings | 3 Credits |
| COUNSED 720 | Career Development and Information Systems | 3 Credits |
| COUNSED 738 | Schools and the Role of the School Counselor | 3 Credits |
| COUNSED 743 | School Counseling: Consultation, Collaboration and Intervention | 3 Credits |
| COUNSED 795 | Internship (including experience at elementary, middle and high school) | 3-6 Credits |
| TOTAL | 18-21 Credits |
Program Objectives
The Educator to School Counselor graduate certificate is designed for individuals with any master’s degree, with priority given to those employed full-time in a K-12 setting who:
- Are looking to pursue a new career path while staying in their current school districts
- Want to obtain school counselor licensure (7054) in the state of Wisconsin
- Wish to work full time or part time in schools while completing coursework
- Are residing anywhere in the state of Wisconsin
You can read more specifics about this program here.
Addressing the demand for school-based mental health professionals
The U.S Department of Education’s School Based Mental Health Professionals Project and the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction are providing critical support for the program’s start-up costs.
Wisconsin was one of six states awarded a $10 million grant from the Department of Education to increase the recruitment and retention of school psychologists, school counselors and school social workers. Projects supported by these grants will also work to increase the diversity of these professions so that they are more representative of the students they serve. More information to come on how our certificate in school counseling will adjust based on this grant!