Post Master's School Counseling Certificate
ISBE Licensure
The Illinois State Board of Education has approved the School Counseling program to prepare candidates for the Professional Educator License (PEL) in School Counseling. The program includes comprehensive coursework and practical training in areas such as student academic development, crisis intervention, and college readiness counseling. Through these components, candidates are equipped to address diverse student needs in modern educational environments, ensuring they are ready to support and guide students effectively upon certification.
All School Counseling students must present evidence of passing the ISBE School Counselor Proficiency Test before they will be recommended for the Professional Educator License (PEL) in School Counseling.
Delivery Format
Governors State’s 27-credit hour certificate in School Counseling is offered in a hybrid format (on-campus and online). The application deadline for spring admission is August 15. The application deadline for fall admission is February 15. There is a $50.00 application fee. The number of admitted students may be affected by accreditation standards and requirements.
Reach Your Career Goals
As a licensed school counselor, you can focus on promoting student success by providing targeted career guidance that helps students understand their strengths and potential career paths. You can also aim to implement comprehensive school counseling programs that support the academic, career, and personal/social development of all students. Another career goal could be to lead and collaborate with school staff and the wider community to create safe and inclusive learning environments. Additionally, as a licensed school counselor, you may choose to specialize in crisis intervention, becoming a vital resource in managing student crises and promoting mental health awareness in schools.
Why get a Post Master's School Counseling Certificate?
Data collected in May 2023 by the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the national median salary for Licensed School counselors to be $61,710. The lowest 10% earned less than $40,140, and the highest 10% earned more than $100,050. Salary.com reports that the average Licensed School counselor salary in Illinois is $65,879 as of April 24, 2024, but the range typically falls between $57,217 and $76,009. 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.
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.
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(18 Hours)
*or equivalent courses
School Counseling Required Certificate Courses (27 Hours)
- COUN - 6638 Introduction to School Counseling (3)
- COUN - 7722 Applied School Counseling with Diverse Students (3)
- COUN - 8844 Practicum: School Counseling (K-12) (3)
- COUN - 8851 Consultation and School Staff Development (3)
- COUN - 8852 College Career Coaching Academy (3)
- COUN - 8858 Development of School Counseling Programs (3)
- COUN - 8968 Counseling Internship I: School Counseling (3)
- COUN - 8969 Counseling Internship II: School Counseling (3)
- PSYC - 7650 Crisis Preparedness, Prevention, and Intervention in School (3)
Total - minimum of 27 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. Program faculty 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.
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.
The Certificate is designed for those who already possess a master’s degree in Counseling or Psychology and now wish to pursue the Professional Educator License (PEL) with a school counseling endorsement (formerly the Type 73).The set of 27 hours meets the ISBE requirements for the school counseling endorsement.
Prior to receiving the university recommendation for the Educator License, students must provide evidence of having passed the School Counselor content area examination of the Illinois Licensure Testing System.
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