Post-Master’s Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling Certificate
Healthy relationships are often seen as the cornerstone of individual well-being. Governors State’s Post-Master’s Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling Certificate specializes in training practitioners to be couple and family therapy therapists. This program emphasizes a holistic, wellness-based model of therapy, working toward a goal-oriented result.
Through this program, you will assess and address marriage and family-related issues, including, but not limited to, communication issues, parent-child relationships, family system dynamics, and couple's issues.
Reach Your Career Goals
As a licensed counselor, you are committed to making a difference in the lives of individuals. Advance your skills in creating strong and healthy relationships among couples and families with this post-master’s certificate. This certification can help you meet your career goals by equipping you with specialized skills to address complex family dynamics and improve communication and conflict resolution strategies within families. It prepares you to effectively support and guide families through life’s challenges, enhancing your expertise in a high-demand area of counseling. Additionally, achieving this certification can open doors to leadership roles within clinical settings, or even in academic and research settings, where you can influence the future direction of the field.
Why get a Certificate in Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling?
Data collected in May 2023 by the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the national median salary for Marriage, Couple, and Family counselors to be $58,510 with an average range of $39,090 – $104,710. Salary.com reports that the average Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist salary in Illinois is $46,050 as of April 24, 2024, but the range typically falls between $40,195 and $52,407. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on the city and many other important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession.
Delivery Format
Governors State’s 18-credit hour certificate in Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling is offered fully on-campus. Applications must be completed by February 15 for fall admission and August 15 for spring admission. *NOTE - The number of admits may be affected by accreditation standards and requirements.
THE CERTIFICATE APPLICATION PROCESS
IMPORTANT! Getting your application in early increases your chances of successfully proceeding through the application process and waiting until the deadline decreases your ability to submit any missing documents. Therefore, it may cause your application to be denied. Getting your application in early does not increase your admission chances; it does ensure accuracy. COMPLETE means all required documents were submitted, essay questions answered, required transcripts have been received, and three (3) reference forms are included.
Criteria to be Considered for Admission
- Show proof of completing a master's degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education in counseling, psychology, or related field.
- Have to be licensed eligible in a Mental Health field.
- Have a graduate GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Have an interview with faculty members
- Personal Reference Forms (3)
You must submit three references on the official personal reference form. The personal reference forms should be completed by someone who can speak to your academic ability (faculty prefer these to come from instructors). Please contact the Graduate Academic Advisor if you are unable to get a reference from an instructor. Letters of recommendation do not replace the official forms.
- TOEFL Scores, if applicable
Applicants who submit credentials from countries other than the United States must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) exam and unrelated to residency status. It is your responsibility to have the Educational Testing Service submit scores before the deadline. Our Institutional Code is 1263.
- Application Fee
The university requires a $50.00 application fee for all GovState graduate applications.
Application Process
STEP 1:
Access the admission’s portal GovState Certificate Application and begin the application process.
STEP 2:
Read the information carefully and answer all the essay questions within the supplemental application.
STEP 3:
Read, answer all the questions, and sign the Statement of Character.
STEP 4:
Request official graduate transcripts. GovState official transcripts are not required!.
STEP 5:
Complete the information necessary to acquire three (3) Personal Reference Forms. You will need the email address of all three individuals. Once the form(s) is returned, they will be attached to your application.
STEP 6:
Certificate Programs– Follow this link, and it will provide you with the necessary instructions to make sure your application is processed correctly. This department also can provide any necessary support. Need a copy of TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) results (if applicable).
STEP 7:
Once you have completed the application, submitted all documents, and paid the fee, please send an email to Naomi Fenton, Academic Advisor, at nfenton@govst.edu, assuring you received any updates or notifications regarding the process.
Required Certificate Courses
Counseling Course Prerequisites (12 hours)
*or equivalent courses
Marriage Couple and Family Required Certificate Courses (18 Hours)
Total - minimal of 18 Hours
Certificate Requirements
Students must meet all university requirements for a certificate. See the internship manual or materials for additional information.
FINAL REQUIREMENT
Applications will be reviewed to determine if they will be offered a spot in the program. Admission to the program is determined by the program faculty who reserves the right to request personal interviews with applicants. Admission decisions are final and cannot be appealed. Students must follow the sequence, program, college, and university requirements and policies.
Applicant must already possess a master’s degree in Counseling or Psychology
The review process takes about two weeks after the application deadline(s) for faculty to review and determine who they would like to interview. Please be patient as you will be receiving correspondence from the Graduate Academic Advisor.
Student Progress
The faculty monitors and evaluates student progress continuously. The Counseling Department Faculty and Student Handbook provide a specific description of the standards used to evaluate student progress.
Conditional Continuation
The faculty may permit a student to progress conditionally. In such cases, faculty review of the applicant's records and performance identifies evidence that the student is likely to be successful in the program. The status of all students permitted to progress conditionally is reviewed by the faculty each semester, and students are informed in writing of the conditions necessary for them to be transferred to good standing status. When conditions are met, the student is transferred to good standing status. Students may not be admitted to the culminating project without achieving good standing status.
If you have questions or need additional information, please contact Naomi Fenton, Academic Advisor, at nfenton@govst.edu or 708-534-4973.
View the Complete Certificate Requirements in the Academic Catalog