| Total credits | Estimated resident cost | Estimated Washington border cost | Estimated non-resident cost |
|---|
| 1-year program - 32 | $19,960 | $21,720 | $27,832 |
| 2-year program - 32 | $20,677 | $22,437 | $28,549 |
Program cost estimates are based on 2025/26 PSU tuition and fees only. This chart is provided to help you estimate the minimum tuition and fees for program completion. Additional fees may apply depending on the course of study that you choose to pursue and the specific courses for which you enroll, so you may also find it useful to review detailed tuition and fee information and the full cost of attendance for PSU programs. Financial aid and scholarship options may be available to offset program costs. Visit COE Scholarships for specific details on how to qualify and apply. |
Eligibility
Students enrolled in the School Counseling Certificate program must be graduates from an accredited master's program in counseling, psychology, or social work that required a clinical practicum focused on individual and group counseling skills. School Counseling Certificate eligibility does not include graduate degrees in teaching or education. The program is designed to meet the requirements for the school counselor license approved by TSPC.
Curriculum
Students in the School Counseling Certificate for Post-Master's Students program complete internships in school counseling roles, including an action research project tailored to meet the unique needs of students in particular schools, and training in the foundations of school counseling. Depending on prior preparation and on-the-job training, additional coursework may include specialized courses for counseling children and youth, working with students with disabilities, and understanding the relationship between schools and parents, families, and communities.
Course descriptions
For full course descriptions, please consult the Bulletin or Class Schedule.
Program format
Modality
Flexible: This program includes options for in-person, hybrid, and online coursework. Students can choose to register for only online classes or mix and match modalities on a class-by-class basis.
Part-time or Full-time
Time to completion: (1 year–2.5 years)
Scheduling
Coursework can largely be completed as independent studies, though weekly meetings (online or in-person) are required for certain courses. Internships take place during the day over the course of a school year..The School Counseling Certificate program is usually completed in one or two years, though students can take longer if needed. Students may begin the program in any term, but may only begin internships in the fall term. Licensure can be recommended following completion of the final course. Students may waive up to five equivalent courses taken during prior graduate experience upon acceptance and with the approval of the program advisor.
Weekly Estimated Time Commitment
The PSU Credit Hour Policy defines 1 credit hour as requiring a minimum of 3 hours of student time per week over the course of the term. PSU operates on the quarter system, and terms last 10 weeks.
Graduate school is a big commitment; please consider this information as a starting tool to help you gain a sense of the time commitment. Students learn differently and you may find that it takes you more time to complete the coursework on a weekly basis. Generally, a graduate program is more intensive and should require more time on homework than undergraduate courses; therefore, we recommend planning for more time than the minimum.
Prior to beginning the internship, students have significant flexibility and may take a single course per quarter, or even take time off as needed. However, once the internship begins, school counselors in training serve at schools during the day for approximately 30 hours per week through the school year. Many students complete the internship requirements within school districts where they are already employed prior to beginning the program. Students completing the entire program in a single year spend at least 40 hours per week on coursework and internships.
Program of Study
Self-paced: This program is self-paced, meaning that students can take most or all courses on their own schedule, attend full-time, part-time or change their enrollment on a term-by-term basis. Classes follow the regular PSU academic calendar structure. Internships must be completed over the course of one academic year beginning in fall. All classes must be completed within 7 years of beginning the program.
| Core Courses | CR | Terms offered |
|---|
| COUN 596: Foundations of School Counseling | 3 | Fall, summer |
| COUN 526: Effective Teaching | 3 | Winter |
| Internship | CR | Terms offered |
| COUN 504: Internship: School Counseling | 9 | Fall through spring |
| COUN 589: Action Research in Counseling | 3 | Fall through spring |
| Waivable or Variable Credit Courses | CR | Terms offered |
| COUN 557: Counseling Youth in Schools | 2 | Fall, summer |
| COUN 556: Counseling Children in Schools | 3 | Winter, summer |
| COUN 576: Parents, Families, and Communities in Schools | 3 | Spring, summer |
| COUN 545: Youth Ecosystems | 3 | Summer |
| COUN 527: Counseling Individuals with Disabilities | 3 | Spring, summer |
| Total Credits Required | 18 - 32 |
Students are required to complete the core courses and the internship courses. Students may waive all or some of the waivable or variable credit courses depending on prior experience. This process requires documentation of learning and is completed after admission to the program in conjunction with the program coordinator.
In order to earn a graduate certificate, students must complete the minimum 18 hours.