Online Post-Master's Counseling Certificate
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At Indiana Wesleyan University, we understand the evolving landscape of counseling professions and the importance of specialized academic preparation to meet these challenges. That's why we offer a Post-Master's Degree Certificate through our Graduate Counseling program, designed for individuals who seek to deepen their expertise in a specific area of study without the need for an additional degree. This counseling certificate is ideal for those who have completed a Master of Arts in Counseling but find that their academic and post-graduate clinical experiences do not align with state licensure or national certification standards.
Our program is distinguished by its collaborative approach, where faculty members work closely with each student to tailor a program of study that addresses the unique academic requirements for their chosen path. Our expert, Christian faculty teach through the same biblical worldview found on our main campus, so that students can implement these principles in a fulfilling counseling career. We’ll also lock in your tuition rates on your start date, so you never have to worry about tuition increases while you study through IWU.
This educational experience ensures that you, as a student, gain the precise knowledge and skills needed to advance in your career. It is incumbent upon students to engage with the relevant licensure or certification boards to identify the specific academic content or coursework needed. This proactive engagement is a critical step in customizing your educational journey to meet the exact standards of your counseling certificate credentials.
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This program is a 12-18 credit online Post-Masters Counseling Certificate. It is an individualized plan of counseling study for graduate students who already hold a masters degree in counseling or a related helping/mental health profession, and who desire to pursue additional studies to meet their academic or licensure goals.
Students who choose to pursue this certificate tend to be individuals who are seeking a second form of counseling licensure and do not need to pursue a 2nd masters degree in order to do so, or would like to develop their knowledge within a particular area of counseling specialization within a structured, academic setting.
This Post-Masters Counseling Certificate program is designed primarily for adult learners who have a clear sense of what they want to learn and what particular outcome they desire to attain by doing so. Because it is online and flexible, it works well for individuals balancing work, family, and post-graduate studies.
There is a global mental health crisis, with many individuals experiencing barriers to directly seeking help from various mental health professionals. The post-masters counseling certificate provides a way for more professionals to become licensed in areas such as addictions counseling, school counseling, and clinical mental health counseling to meet these needs.
Additionally, clinical mental health counselors, pastoral counselors, and other counseling professionals can deepen their competencies in a variety of areas such as trauma and grief or marriage and family, or with particular populations such as children and adolescents, to increase their competent scope of practice.
This certificate supports both licensure expansion and professional specialization. Many students pursue additional credentials such as clinical mental health counseling, school counseling, or addictions counseling, while others deepen expertise in areas like trauma, grief, or family therapy.
Students practice counseling skills through recorded role-plays, faculty feedback, telehealth experiences, and in-person intensives when required. Practicum and internship experiences provide real-world application.
Students develop an individualized counseling approach grounded in evidence-based practices. The program integrates Christian faith and counseling theory, encouraging students to align their clinical work with their personal beliefs and professional goals.
Students can expect a rigorous program of study within a Christ-centered academic community that blends theory, skill development, and real-world application. Students engage in coursework based upon their current professional needs and interests.
Courses are primarily delivered in an asynchronous format [courses do not require students to meet at a specific time], allowing students flexibility to complete their work on their own schedule. In addition, some courses offer optional synchronous sessions in place of online workshop discussions for students who prefer real-time engagement.
Practicum and internship courses required live weekly synchronous sessions as well as live clinical work on their respective sites.
Dependent upon one’s academic goals, students may engage in supervised field experiences providing counseling services, as well as in-person intensives which allow students to develop their presentation skills, counseling skills, consultation skills, and collaboration and networking skills.
The program is fully online, but depending upon one’s program of study, may also include in-person intensives.
Two key things set this program apart:
Along with maintaining their current roles with enhanced skills, graduates commonly pursue roles such as:
If it is determined by a licensure or certification board that only clinical hours (practicum and/or internship) are needed, the student must demonstrate evidence of entry-level proficiency in the delivery of counseling services. This is typically accomplished by presenting a recorded sample of the applicant's direct service to a client and a reference from a qualified (master's level with at least two years of experience) supervisor. This tape and reference will be reviewed by the Graduate Counseling faculty and be considered in the acceptance process.
NOTE: State regulations may prohibit licensure for individuals who have ever been convicted of a crime of violence or of any crime that has a direct bearing on the ability to practice competently. The applicant is responsible to check the licensing requirements with his or her state licensing agency prior to beginning the program.
If it is determined by a licensure or certification board that only clinical hours (practicum and/or internship) are needed, the student must demonstrate evidence of entry-level proficiency in the delivery of counseling services. This is typically accomplished by presenting a recorded sample of the applicant's direct service to a client and a reference from a qualified (master's level with at least two years of experience) supervisor. This tape and reference will be reviewed by the Graduate Counseling faculty and be considered in the acceptance process.
NOTE: State regulations may prohibit licensure for individuals who have ever been convicted of a crime of violence or of any crime that has a direct bearing on the ability to practice competently. The applicant is responsible to check the licensing requirements with his or her state licensing agency prior to beginning the program.
Discover the way forward in your personal and professional life. Pursue your post-Master’s counseling certificate at IWU!
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