College of Education

Counseling: School Counseling Certificate for Post-Masters Students

Licensure Program

School Counseling Certificate for Post-Masters Students

young students standing in a line smiling

Quick Facts

  • 18-32 credits
  • 1- or 2-year program
  • Face-to-face with evening classes OR online option for those already working at a school
  • Small student-to-faculty experience
  • 600-hour school counseling field placement including experience at the elementary and middle/high school levels 

**Please note that this program was formerly called the School Counseling Licensure-only program. It has changed names to reflect that it is now an official Graduate Certificate.

 

 

The School Counseling Certificate program is for individuals who have completed a master’s degree in counseling, psychology, or social work, and who want to move into the K-12 school system. This program prepares students with their preliminary school counseling license.

We prepare counselors to be change agents and advocates within the school environment promoting equity for all students to grow personally, socially, academically, and to achieve their lifelong educational and career goals. 

Students enrolled in the School Counseling Certificate program must be graduates from an accredited master's program in counseling, psychology, or social work that included a clinical practicum focused on individual and group counseling skills. Certificate eligibility does not include graduate degrees in teaching or education. The program is designed to meet the requirements for the preliminary school counselor license approved by TSPC.

The School Counseling Certificate program is a flexible program designed to prepare working professionals for their Preliminary School Counseling license with TSPC. Generally, students complete our program in one or two-year years. We have two formats available to students in the program:

  • In person: This option is designed for students who do not yet have experience in schools. Classes meet once per week on campus in the evenings. The in-person coursework allows for robust discussion and a deep understanding of the role of a school counselor.
  • Online customized: Beginning in fall 2023, we are offering an online option to students who are already working in a school. Online students will have asynchronous coursework designed to meet the needs of their job and school. Additionally, they will engage in a weekly online seminar with fellow students. This weekly seminar will occur after school hours via zoom. 

Students may begin the School Counseling Certificate program in any term, though they may only begin internships in the fall. 

The program offers variable credit hours, as some classes may be waived by a student if they can demonstrate that they have previously learned the material required for licensure. This waiver process is completed after admission to the program and will be supported by the student’s faculty advisor. 
 Licensure can be recommended following completion of the final course and a Professional Practice Portfolio.
 

Program Coordinator

Catherine Nyhan
askcoe@pdx.edu
503-725-4619

Admissions Advisor

Jesse Chapman
askcoe@pdx.edu
503-725-8102*
Book an appointment

*You can text me!

Program Benefits

  • Program fulfills requirements to be licensed as a school counselor in the state of Oregon
  • Learn how to develop and implement a Comprehensive School Counseling Program according to the ASCA National Model and Oregon Framework 
  • Individualized program of study based on your previous education and work experiences and professional goals

Program Specifics

  • Face-to-face evening classes OR Customized online option for those already working in a school
  • Small student-to-faculty experience
  • 1- or 2-year program
  • Begin any term
  • 18-32 credits
  • 600-hour school counseling field placement including experience at the elementary and middle/high school level

About the program

The PSU School Counseling Certificate Program prepares professional school counselors to work effectively and collaboratively in complex systems to promote equity and growth for all students, families, and communities. At PSU, we understand the role of the school counselor as an agent of change, growth, and resilience within the educational system. School counselors are equipped to support students in their academic, personal and social, and career and college goals and eliminate barriers to success. Our program emphasizes trauma-informed practice, equity and social justice practice, developmentally responsive prevention and intervention in schools, and developing strong integration between theory, research, and practice. 

Our students learn through hands-on experience in school environments during their year-long, dual internship placement at two schools. 

Students are prepared to provide individual and small-group counseling, facilitate core counseling curriculum delivery in classrooms, respond to individual and school-wide crises, collaborate with other school leaders and mental health professionals to support student success, practice and promote equity, advocate for constructive program and school-wide change.

School counseling candidates complete a Participatory Action Research project at one of their internship sites allowing them to put a comprehensive school counseling program into action in the field prior to graduation. They also complete a Professional Practice Portfolio (eportfolio) demonstrating their accomplishments, professional competence, and expertise developed across their program of study.

Our graduates

Our graduates are employed in public and private elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools; community and public colleges, and as school-based counselors.

Accreditation

The School Counseling program is accredited by the Oregon Teachers Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC) and the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs (CACREP).