Frequently Asked Questions
ABOUT SCHOOL COUNSELING
What do school counselors do?
School counselors lead data-driven comprehensive school counseling programs with foundation, management, delivery, and accountability components, per the ASCA National Model. They engage in individual counseling, small group work, and classroom guidance lessons with students. They focus on leadership, advocacy, collaboration, and systemic change in their work. For more information about the role of school counselors, click here.
Why should I pursue a post-master’s certificate in school counseling?
Because being a school counselor is extraordinary! The profession is challenging and rewarding and allows people to work as both counselors and educators to actively support the social/emotional, academic, and career development of K-12 students. In addition, if you would like to be licensed as a professional school counselor in North Carolina (and many other states), and you already have a Masters in counseling, you must complete specialized coursework in school counseling, like that in UNC Charlotte’s post-masters certificate in school counseling.
ABOUT PROGRAM FIT
Who is the post-masters certificate in school counseling for?
The post-masters certificate in school counseling is designed for individuals who previously earned a Masters in counseling, but who want to specialize in school counseling and need coursework specialized in school counseling to learn about the profession and become licensed.
I want to become a school counselor, but I don’t have a Masters in counseling. Should I apply for this certificate?
No. If you do not have a Masters in counseling, you should not apply for this certificate program. We recommend you pursue a Masters in school counseling. Information about UNC Charlotte’s school counseling Masters program is available here.
I have a Masters degree in a non-counseling profession. Should I apply for this certificate?
No. If you do not have a Masters in counseling, you should not apply for this certificate program. North Carolina Department of Public Instruction school counseling licensure requirements state that individuals must have a Masters degree in counseling. At UNC Charlotte, we only accept students into the post-masters certificate in school counseling if we are certain they will be eligible for school counseling licensure through NC DPI upon completing the certificate (and passing the Praxis II). Consequently, if your Masters degree is not in counseling, you are ineligible for admission into the post-masters certificate. We recommend you pursue a Masters in school counseling. Information about UNC Charlotte’s school counseling Masters program is available here.
I have a Masters degree in social work, psychology, or teaching. Should I apply for this certificate?
No. North Carolina Department of Public Instruction school counseling licensure requirements state that individuals must have a Masters degree in counseling. At UNC Charlotte, we only accept students into the post-masters certificate in school counseling if we are certain they will be eligible for school counseling licensure through NC DPI upon completing the certificate (and passing the Praxis II). Consequently, if your Masters degree is not in counseling, you are ineligible for admission into the post-masters certificate. We recommend you pursue a Masters in school counseling. Information about UNC Charlotte’s school counseling Masters program is available here. To double-check Masters counseling requirements, complete the interactive questionnaire here.
I have completed a course similar to one of the required courses in the post-masters certificate in school counseling. Do I have to take it again?
No. If you are accepted into the post-masters certificate in school counseling, and you have previously completed a course deemed equivalent to one of the certificate courses, you should not re-take the course. Because 12 credits are required for all UNC Charlotte certificates, the program director will work with you to identify a different UNC Charlotte course that is relevant, accessible, and acceptable to take in place of the fourth course you have previously completed.
ABOUT APPLYING
How do I apply to the post-masters certificate in school counseling?
Individuals can apply for the post-masters certificate in school counseling through the UNC Charlotte Graduate School website. Click here to begin your application now.
When is the application deadline for the post-masters certificate in school counseling?
February 1 is the deadline for all applications to the post-masters certificate in school counseling. In order to be reviewed, all applicant materials, including references and transcripts must be received by February 1. We encourage students to plan to submit their application early in order to ensure that all materials are received by UNC Charlotte by February 1.
If I miss the February 1 application deadline, is there rolling admission, so I can have my applied reviewed at a later date in the year?
No. Applications are reviewed only once per year, shortly after the February 1 deadline. Applications submitted after this deadline will be considered for the following year. For example, in 2022, the application deadline is February 1, 2022, and applications submitted before then will be considered for the 2022 cohort. Applications submitted after February 1, 2022 are not guaranteed review.
I have a question about submitting my application to the post-masters certificate in school counseling. Who should I contact?
You should contact the UNC Charlotte Graduate Admissions office with all application questions. Their website is here.
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
Is this post-masters certificate in school counseling CACREP-accredited?
CACREP only accredits Masters and doctoral programs, not certificates. However, the Department of Counseling that hosts the certificate does have four CACREP-accredited programs, including its Masters in school counseling program. The post-masters certificate in school counseling is designed to meet all related core and school counseling program standards.
How many courses are required to complete this certificate?
Four courses are required to complete the certificate. Each course is 3 credit hours, totaling 12 credits for the full certificate.
Can I take one or two of the certificate courses, but not all?
No. Certificate courses are not offered piecemeal.
When do students take the courses in the post-masters certificate in school counseling?
Students begin the certificate coursework in May and complete it in December. Students take one course (The Professional School Counselor) in Summer Session I (May-June), one course (Consultation in School Counseling) in Summer Session II (July-August), and two courses (Advanced Internship in Counseling, Advocacy and Leadership in Professional School Counseling) in the Fall semester (August-December).
On which days of the week and at what times are courses held?
Course times and days vary by semester, but each Summer semester course is typically offered two days per week for up to four hours at a time. Each Fall semester course is typically offered one day per week for up to 2 hours and 45 minutes. Courses usually begin in the late afternoon (e.g., 4:30pm or 5pm). Instructors choose whether to design their courses with a synchronous format, asynchronous format, or a combination of both.
Are all courses completed online?
Yes. The post-masters certificate in school counseling is a 100% online program. Students must complete internship hours at a physical school location, but all coursework is completed online.
How do I find an internship site?
Accepted students work collaboratively with the certificate director to secure a school counseling internship site. If students are local to Charlotte, the university has existing relationships with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, Cabarrus County Schools, Gaston County Schools, and other districts nearby. Students may be able to apply for an internship in one of these districts. If students reside outside of Charlotte, the director will work with the student to select a school district, request a placement, put an affiliate agreement in place, and obtain an internship site. This process can vary by location and district, but often requires the students to research the process and the district leadership’s preferences. Occasionally, the director is required to request the placement on the student’s behalf and will do so in collaboration with the student.
What are the internship site and site supervisor requirements?
An internship site must be a school counseling internship in which a student can learn about professional school counseling alongside a state licensed or certified professional school counselor, who serves as site supervisor. The site must allow the student to complete a minimum of 300 internship hours across the span of 15 weeks (20 hours per week). The site also must allow students to use audio- or video-taping to record counseling sessions with students so they can be reviewed by instructors and classmates for supervisory purposes (per individual parent consent). Site supervisors must be licensed or certified school counselors in the student’s state and have at least two years of experience in school counseling.
What is the cost to complete this certificate?
Tuition costs may vary slightly each year, but the 2017-2018 cost for in-state North Carolina students is $250.65 per credit hour, totaling $3,007.80 for this 12-credit post-masters certificate in school counseling. The 2017-2018 cost for out-of-state non-North Carolina residents is $909.65 per credit, totaling $10,915.80 for this 12-credit post-masters certificate in school counseling. For current information on tuition and fees, click here.
Can I receive financial aid to pay for coursework in the post-masters certificate in school counseling?
Yes. Certificate students are eligible for financial aid to pay for coursework. The UNC Charlotte Office of Financial Aid is the resource for all questions about financial aid. Their website is here.
I live in a state other than North Carolina. Can I apply to the post-masters certificate in school counseling?
Yes. Our applicants and students come from states across the country. All coursework is completed online, allowing students to participate from any location where they have Internet access.
I live in a state other than North Carolina. Will this certificate make me eligible for school counseling licensure or certification in my state?
Maybe or maybe not. UNC Charlotte’s post-masters certificate in school counseling is designed to make students eligible for school counseling licensure in the state of North Carolina. The certificate and its director cannot guarantee licensure reciprocity with other states, but encourages students to investigate the school counseling licensure or certification requirements in their states to verify if UNC Charlotte’s certificate will help them achieve school counseling licensure or certification.
Are the courses taught by qualified instructors?
Yes. All course instructors in the post-masters certificate in school counseling are qualified counselor educators. They include UNC Charlotte Department of Counseling faculty members like Dr. Sejal Parikh Foxx, Dr. Ed Wierzalis, Dr. Taryne Mingo, and Dr. Clare Merlin-Knoblich. Faculty have experience working as professional school counselors, often research school counseling topics, and are regularly involved in school counseling service with professional organizations like ASCA, CACREP, ACES, and NCSCA. For more information on faculty, click here.
Do your program graduates typically get hired as professional school counselors?
Yes. Graduates of the post-masters certificate in school counseling regularly get hired to work as professional school counselors upon completion of the program. For more information about program alumni, click here. [link]
I have a question not answered on this page. Who should I contact?
We welcome inquiries from interested applicants. You may contact the current director of the post-masters certificate in school counseling, Dr. Clare Merlin-Knoblich, by emailing claremerlin@charlotte.edu or calling 704-687-8233.
Is being a professional school counselor as fun as you make it out to be on this website?
Yes. Yes, it is.