Certificate in School Counseling

• Ethical Practice: Students will demonstrate principles and standards of professional ethics in counseling and ethical decision-making informed by social justice.
• Social and Cultural Diversity: Identify strategies needed to address institutional and social barriers that impede access, equity, well-being, and success for clients.
• Human Growth and Development: Students will demonstrate knowledge of lifespan development and the capacity to integrate knowledge of developmental theory into practice.
• Career Development: Identify career development strategies that incorporate a focus on social justice and advocacy.
• Counseling and Helping Relationships: Demonstrate an understanding of theories of counseling and development of case conceptualizations and treatment plans that are underpinned by social justice
• Group Counseling and Group Work: Integrate into their practice of MHC the awareness of the influence of social and cultural contexts on groups
• Assessment and Testing: Students will demonstrate a broad understanding of different types of assessments, the selection and use of assessment tools, client assessment and diagnosis, trauma assessment, and the assessment of self-inflicted harm and danger to others.
• Research and Program Evaluation: Demonstrate and apply their professional identity as a clinical mental health counselor through an individual philosophy of practice grounded in critical analysis and research and interpretation.
• School Counseling Specialty Area: School counseling students will demonstrate an understanding of foundational knowledge, demonstration of competence in school counseling practice, knowledge of social justice issues, and a focus on culturally responsive services to address the academic, social/emotional, and career development needs of K-12 students.  
• Professional Dispositions: From admission through exit, students will demonstrate the attitudes, characteristics, and behaviors defined by the program as characteristics of exemplar counseling professionals.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the projected percent change in employment from 2022 to 2032 is faster than the average profession… Graduates of the School Counseling Program will have the knowledge, skills, and attitudes required to function as professional school and clinical mental health counselors. They will be prepared for employment in school settings and able to meet certification and licensure standards as school and mental health counselors in most states through education in a CACREP-aligned program.

Graduates of the School Counseling Program may apply for professional school counseling credentials recognizing their level of training and experience. Credentials may be granted by national professional boards/organizations or by state regulatory boards. The School Counseling Program recognizes the importance of licensure/certification for professional practice. The legislature/certification in each state establishes the criteria for licensure/certification and an appointed board determines if an individual’s education and experience meet their standards. Our  School Counseling Program is consistent with the standards of the representative professional organizations in Ohio. Individual states, many of which base their legislation on professional organization standards, vary as to specific coursework, number of hours of supervised practice, supervisor qualification, and other required criteria. While the department offers coursework and internships that allow students to put together a licensable portfolio, it cannot guarantee licensure/certification. Students will need to verify with their State Board of Education to determine if any additional requirements are necessary to fulfill credentialing. Students with any negative results on a criminal background check should inquire with the state board in advance to determine if the results of their background will hinder their ability to become licensed in their state. 

As graduates of a CACREP accredited program, most students are also eligible to obtain full certification as a National Certified Counselor (NCC) upon graduation after passing the National Counselor Exam offered in April/October of their final year and completing the required applications. See the NBCC website for information on this process. Graduates’ self-reported pass rate on the NBCC exam is 80%. Students will learn about the steps to licensure for the state in which they plan to pursue licensure in the Professional Orientation and Ethics course, however, students are responsible for knowing the expectations of the state in which they plan to apply. Students should actively consult their state’s counseling board for the most recent information about professional counseling licensure. Faculty are available to consult with students and the following websites are helpful when navigating the licensure process: National Board of Certified Counselors American Counseling Association American Mental Health Counseling Association American Association of State Counseling Boards

To locate contact information, available licenses, and required examinations per State, visit the NBCC’s State Board Directory: http://www.nbcc.org/Search/StateBoardDirectory. For information on individual state requirements, see the NBCC State Licensure page

Our School counseling program is CACREP-aligned and actively seeking accreditation.