Mar 28, 2024  
2020-2021 Graduate Catalog 
    
2020-2021 Graduate Catalog This is not the most recent catalog version; be sure you are viewing the appropriate catalog year.

School Counselor Licensure [Post-Master’s Certificate]


This program is designed for individuals who already possess a master’s degree in counseling (e.g., community counseling, college counseling, etc.) and who wish to enter the field of school counseling. The Post-Master’s Certificate Program for School Counselor Licensure is a 14-55 credit hour program that provides competencies and proficiencies for entry-level positions as school counselors in elementary, middle/junior high, secondary, and high school settings. Upon completion of the certificate program, students are eligible to apply for K-12 school counselor license issued by the Michigan Department of Education. Candidates selected for this program are expected to make a major commitment to their graduate training and to enroll in coursework on a regular basis. The program includes a 300-600 clock hour supervised school counseling internship experience. The program does not meet the academic and internship requirements for limited licensure as a professional counselor (LLPC) in the State of Michigan and cannot be used to supplement a previous master’s degree to become eligible for the LLPC. Information on requirements to become eligible for licensure as a professional counselor is available in the Student Handbook for Counseling Programs.

Program Admission


EMU will admit a maximum of 20 students per year to this post master’s certificate program. Applicants will be considered on a competitive basis, with the following criteria representing minimum requirements for admission. All Admission materials, both graduate school, and certificate program are submitted to the Graduate Admissions Office. To be considered for admission, candidates must provide evidence of each of the following criteria:

  1. Applicants must have graduated from a regionally accredited institution of higher education with a master’s degree in counseling within the past 15 years. The degree must have included practicum (not field placement).
  2. Evidence of academic aptitude for continued graduate-level study as evidenced by a GPA of 3.3 on their previously completed advanced degree.
  3. International students must meet one or more of the following additional criteria:
    • A score of 550 (total) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), a score of 230 on the Test of Spoken English (TWE) and a rating of 4.0 on the Test of Written English (TWE). (Additional course work in English Composition may be required.)
    • A score of 77 on the Michigan English Language Ability Battery (MELAB) and a rating of at least 3.0 on the oral interview portion of the MELAB. (Additional course work in composition may be required).
  4. Personal Statement: a one-page statement focusing on the applicant’s motivation and rationale for seeking admission to the program as well as his or her background and goals related to professional studies.
  5. Résumé A focused summary of program-relevant, educational, career and/or life experiences.
  6. Experience A minimum of two (2) years of documented work experience, the majority of which involves working with school-aged children or adolescents (ages 5-18). This experience may consist of paid, professional roles or structured volunteer experiences in organized work settings and should be focused on improving the mental health, behavior, academic success or social skills of the children. Activities such as parenting, babysitting, and day care do not qualify.
  7. Three recommendations Applicants must submit recommendation forms from three professional supervisors and/or supervising professors that address the quality of the applicant’s professional work. The completed forms are due within the online Application for Graduate Admissions. By entering the recommenders email address within the online application, they will be able to upload a letter and the required recommendation form directly to your application. The recommendation form must come directly from your reference.

For additional information regarding the licensure please visit the following link: www.emich.edu/coe/lc/docs/admissions/app_for_llpc_license.pdf

Each applicant will receive a rating on the following criteria: academic potential based on grade point average; the quality, extensiveness and relevance of career/life/educational experiences to the field of school counseling; professional goals/objectives; and recommendations. Based on these ratings, applicants may move to the second phase of the process.

Applicants admitted to the second phase of the selection process may be invited to campus to participate in a personal interview. They will also receive information about programs of study and faculty expectations. Applicants may be asked to submit additional materials at this time. Based on an evaluation of all materials and the interviews, admissions decisions will be made.

Program advisors will be assigned after students have been admitted to the Post-Master’s Certificate Program for School Counselor Licensure. The advisor will assist the student in developing the program of study that is required for full admission to the post-master’s certificate program for school counselor licensure. All courses and subsequent changes must be approved by the advisor. Transfer credit can be used toward graduation only if it has been reviewed and accepted by the student’s advisor and is within Graduate School guidelines. The certificate program must be completed within a three-year period.

Completed applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Department Information


Leadership & Counseling | Raul Leon Ph.D., Interim Department Head | 304 Porter, 734.487.0255, rleon1@emich.edu

Advisor Information


Patrice Bounds, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, 304M Porter, 734.487.2804, pbounds@emich.edu

Degree Requirements: 14-30 hours


Changes in the student’s official program and substitution of courses must be approved by the advisor prior to registration.

Supporting Coursework: 2-18 hours


Additional Information


For more information about the program, admissions, etc., contact the department head or visit emich.edu/coe/lc