The Certificate Program in School Counseling is for individuals who already have a master’s degree in counseling from a CACREP accredited program and are seeking post-master’s degree graduate courses in order to qualify in Michigan for: (1) School Counselor K-12 Licenses (no Michigan Teaching Certificate required) or (2) Counseling Endorsements (K-12) on an existing current, valid Michigan Teaching Certificate. This School Counseling Certificate is in part, a response to Michigan Public Act (P.A.) 288, 2000. This law mandates that candidates must be recommended by sponsoring counselor education institutions and also pass the Michigan Department of Education Guidance Counselor Examination in order to be licensed or endorsed.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the Certificate Program in School Counseling is based upon grade point average, educational background, letters of recommendations, completion of an appropriate MA counseling degree from a CACREP accredited program, completion of required background checks, as well as other factors. Applicants are required to complete and return the online application materials and supplemental department questionnaire.

Application materials are available online through links on the WMU Office of Admissions and departmental web pages. Once the completed application is received the student will meet with a school counseling faculty advisor to discuss and develop the individualized program of study for the certificate. This program of study must include 15 credit hours. Once the individualized program of study plan is developed and agreed to by the applicant and faculty advisor, the final admission decision will be made by the faculty. Upon formal admission to the certificate program, the student will be assigned a faculty advisor who will work with the student, review student progress, and approve required practicum/internship placements.