Certificate of Advanced Study in Counseling

Requirements for the Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in Counseling

The Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in Counseling is designed for mental health counseling, clinical or school counselors who have completed a master’s degree and want to pursue further systematic study in counseling to qualify to sit for the National Counselor’s Examination (NCE) and/or licensure in Pennsylvania (or other states with equivalent requirements). The NCE requires 48 semester hours of graduate credit with a course in each of nine specified areas.

The act that provides licensure of professional counselors in Pennsylvania requires completion of a “planned program” of 60 graduate semester credits in counseling from an accredited educational institution. The Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in Counseling allows the post-master’s student to meet these requirements.

Additional Admission Requirements

In addition to the general admission procedures, a student also must hold a master’s degree in a field closely related to the practice of professional counseling from an accredited college or university. Test scores are not required.

Program Requirements

The number of credits required will be determined after a transcript analysis has been completed. Courses will be selected with an adviser. A minimum of 12 additional credits are required for individuals with a 48-credit master’s degree in counseling.