College Counseling

This program is perfect for...

High school college and career counselors who want to develop their professional competencies
Individuals working in an educational non-profit or community-based organization, guiding under-resourced students to college
Individuals who are interested in developing an independent educational consulting practice
Teachers who want to be better informed about post-secondary options for their students
College admissions personnel who want to become more familiar with high school processes and other institutions' protocols

What you can learn.

Explore the differences between guidance and college counseling, the college counselor's unique responsibilities, and available resources
Discover the fundamentals of financial aid, including types and sources of financial aid, how to apply, who is eligible, and how to use scholarship search services
Learn the college admissions process, including choosing a school, writing letters of recommendation, and determining admissions criteria
Become familiar with college counseling for groups of students with unique needs, such as those with learning disabilities, undocumented students, students who are members of the LGBT community, and transfer students

About this program.

The College Counseling Certificate is designed for secondary school counselors, teachers, career counselors, admissions personnel, and others who want to develop their professional competencies, or are interested in establishing an independent educational consulting practice. This program is also ideal for college admissions professionals who want to help high school students identify post-secondary options.

This certificate program is offered 100% online.

—

Explore the field of College Counseling and prepare for certificate coursework with these short, intensive courses: Introduction to College Admissions and Introduction to Making College Affordable.

What this certificate has done for our students.

96%

feel the certificate helped them enhance their career

1 in 4

received a salary increase after starting the certificate

80%

switched careers after completing the certificate program

82%

recommend the certificate program to others

Source: UCLA Extension Certificate Graduates Survey

Program Curriculum:

The College Counseling Certificate consists of required and elective coursework totaling 33 units.

Students are encouraged to start the program with Introduction to Counseling for College Admission.

This course will take the place of Counseling the College Bound Student (EDUC X 414.81) and The College Admissions Process (EDUC X 414.82), which will no longer be offered after the Fall 2021 quarter.

View the full curriculum requirements for both new and current students below.

Certificate Curriculum: New vs. Current Students

New Students	Current Students
Introduction to Counseling for College Admission EDUC X 414.83	Counseling the College Bound Student EDUC X 414.81 The College Admissions Process EDUC X 414.82
Testing/Career Assessment EDUC X 414.90	Testing/Career Assessment EDUC 414.90
Financial Aid Fundamentals EDUC X 414.89	Financial Aid Fundamentals EDUC X 414.89
Special Issues in College Counseling EDUC X 414.84	Special Issues in College Counseling EDUC X 414.84
Practicum in College Counseling EDUC X 414.85	Practicum in College Counseling EDUC X 414.85
2 Electives	1 Elective

Note: Counseling the College Bound Student (EDUC X 414.81) and The College Admissions Process (EDUC X 414.82) will no longer be offered after the Fall 2021 quarter. Please contact us with any questions.

Courses

Click below to view the required and elective courses, if applicable, for this program.

Required (5)

Elective (2)

Required Courses

We recommend taking these courses in the following order: X414.83, X414.90, X414.89, X414.84, X414.85.

Introduction to Counseling for College Admission

EDUC X 414.83

Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Special Issues in College Counseling

EDUC X 414.84

Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Practicum in College Counseling

EDUC X 414.85

Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Financial Aid Fundamentals

EDUC X 414.89

Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Testing/Career Assessment

EDUC X 414.90

Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Elective Courses

Students must complete two elective courses.

Finalizing the College Counseling Process

EDUC X 414.80

Typically Offered: Winter, Summer

The Business of Educational Consulting

EDUC X 414.96

Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

College Counseling for International Students

EDUC X 414.98

Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Preparing Community College Students for Transfer

EDUC X 414.99

Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a reasonable estimate of how many hours of class time are required in the College Counseling Program?

On average, you can expect to spend 10 to 15 hours a week on coursework, including accessing text-based lectures, completing and submitting assignments electronically, and reading supplementary materials.

How many courses can I take each quarter?

We recommend that a participant take no more than two classes per quarter. Students wishing to complete the program within one year must take two classes per quarter and the Practicum during the last quarter.

What does the certificate signify and how will it help in the job market?

The Certificate in College Counseling signifies completion of a specialized program of courses and training in college counseling. It designates professional development in this unique field. Many schools look upon our certificate programs as a strong positive factor in hiring and offering promotions. Check with specific institutions for any degree or credential requirements they may have in addition to the College Counseling Certificate.

Note: This is not a "certification" in that it neither licenses nor certifies you to be a college counselor.

How is the practicum site chosen?

Certificate candidates are responsible for setting up their own practicum sites. Candidates can set up a practicum at a local school venue or some other site, which provides opportunities for college counseling.

What are other features of the practicum?

Students enrolled in the practicum have the opportunity to receive additional feedback and support from a practicing college counselor and from fellow students through the required online course taken concurrently with the hands-on practicum. Practicum students find that they value the ongoing interaction because it makes them feel "connected" to others as they work at their practicum sites.

Learn more about the Practicum in College Counseling course

Estimated Cost Breakdown

All courses in this program are paid for individually, unless otherwise noted. An application form is required to establish candidacy in this program. From the 'Apply Now' button, complete the online application and pay the application fee if applicable.

Application & Candidacy Fee

100.00

Estimated Program Tuition

5320.00

Estimated program textbook/materials

200.00

Apply Now

*The Application & Candidacy Fee establishes your candidacy in the program for a period of time covering normal progress toward completion and may allow you to access a variety of program benefits.

Internships
Available

Approved for
International Visa

VA Benefit
Eligible

Federal
Financial Aid

**Federal Financial Aid Gainful Employment Disclosures

The U.S. Department of Education requires colleges and universities to disclose certain information for any financial aid eligible program that, “prepares students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation”. This information includes program costs; occupations that the program prepares students to enter; occupational profiles; on time completion rate; and for the most recent award year: the number of students who have completed the program, the number of students who complete the program within the estimated duration, the job placement rate, and the median Title IV and private loan debt incurred by those who complete the program. For gainful employment information for this program, visit our Financial Aid page.

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What you can learn.

About this program.

What this certificate has done for our students.

96%

1 in 4

80%

82%

Program Curriculum: