School of Graduate Studies

Elevate Your Counseling Expertise: Unlock the Path to Becoming a Certified School Counselor

Are you a counseling professional seeking to expand your expertise and make a profound impact on the lives of students? Look no further than our exceptional School Counseling Certificate program. Designed for individuals who have already earned a Master's degree in Counseling from a CACREP-accredited institution (or equivalent), this transformative program will equip you with the specialized knowledge and skills to thrive as a school counselor.

Our program is specifically crafted for those who have a Master's in Counseling but lack the emphasis in school counseling. Through our post-graduate training, you'll gain the essential competencies to excel in the school setting, empowering you to guide and support students on their educational journeys. Whether you're looking to transition into the field of school counseling or deepen your existing expertise, this certificate program is your gateway to a rewarding and impactful career.

By earning this certificate, you'll open the door to a wide range of exciting career prospects. From working directly with students to collaborating with educators and administrators, you'll have the opportunity to make a tangible difference in the lives of young people. Embark on this transformative journey and unlock your full potential as a school counseling professional.

Why UW-Whitewater?

  • Hands-on, clinical experience
  • Flexible schedule for busy professionals
  • Primarily asynchronous online coursework, with a few brief in-person learning experiences

School Counseling - Graduate Certificate

The graduate certificate in Educator in School Counseling is a 21-credit program. This program can be started in the spring, summer or fall terms, and at a pace that works best for you. Full-time students can finish in as little as a year.

For a comprehensive overview of the program structure and required courses, please refer to the Graduate Catalog.

To qualify for admission to the certificate program, you must have completed a master's degree in Counseling from a CACREP-accredited institution (or equivalent) in an emphasis other than school counseling and meet graduate admission criteria.

Deadlines vary by term and are subject to change without notice. Accurate and up-to-date admission deadlines can be found on the graduate admission deadlines website.

If you do not meet the graduate admission criteria, please email us to determine if you could be admitted on a contingent basis.

International students must meet additional criteria and will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Contact us for information and assistance.

Additional requirements for admission to the School Counseling certificate program:

  • Upload a cover letter expressing your interest in the program.
  • Upload a personal statement: The brief autobiography that includes information about you, your life experiences that led you to pursue a degree in professional counseling, and your career goals (what you hope to do with this degree).
  • Complete a background check through ViewPoint. Instructions can be found here
  • Complete Counseling application assessment of previous coursework taken.

All requirements can be submitted during the application process.

This program at UW-Whitewater is a superior value at $560.56 USD per credit as a resident and $1,148.55 USD per credit as a non-resident for the 2023-24 academic year. Visit the Tuition and Fees webpage for complete information.

If you compare our graduate tuition to other schools, you will find that this per-credit price is quite reasonable.

Financial aid

Students enrolled in a graduate certificate program only are not eligible for federal aid. 

Students completing a certificate with a degree program may be eligible for financial aid in the form of grants, loans, scholarships, or employment. All of these make up a “Financial Aid Package” and may be offered singly or in various combinations. Since funds are limited, priority for aid is based on financial need and how promptly applications are filed. To find out if you qualify, or if you have other financial aid questions, contact the financial aid staff person assigned to you or try uwwfao@uww.edu or 262-472-1130.

Intersted in taking a tour of UW-Whitewater campus? You can visit in person or virtually. Visit our tours website to select your option, by clicking here.

Like to learn more about degree options through UW-Whitewater School of Graduate Studies? There are a few ways you can get the information you need. Visit our information sessions website to select a virtual information session related to the program you are interested in. You can also fill out a request for information to connect with an advisor who can discuss your goals and help guide you to the right program to pursue your dreams.

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