School Counseling, AC
Enter a rapidly growing field, with diverse roles in various sectors including addiction recovery medical centers, and community services.
Support Students’ Academic, Career, Social and Emotional Development
Learn how to assess and address the diverse needs of K-12 students, collaborate with educators and parents, and develop and implement comprehensive school counseling programs. The program typically leads to certification and is aligned with national standards to ensure graduates are well-equipped for professional practice in educational settings.
The Value of an Advanced Certificate
In today’s dynamic professional environment, continuous self-improvement is essential for career success. Advancements, competition and evolving landscapes require professionals to maintain current, industry-relevant knowledge, skills, and competencies. Advanced certificates can complement completed degrees or serve as standalone credentials. Regardless of your chosen path, an advanced certificate offers additional knowledge and opportunities to refine professional skills, facilitating career advancement. They offer a flexible, accessible and cost-effective educational route to pursue career goals and remain competitive.
Points of Distinction
You'll receive valuable counseling experience with students starting with your first fall semester. Every student in our program will gain experience at both the K-8 and 9-12 grade levels.
Gain hands-on experience in diverse school settings–with an unwavering commitment to social justice, equity and diversity–allowing you to obtain new skills and perspectives along the way to make a meaningful impact in your counseling career.
Our school counseling program is approved by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) and CACREP.
GSE’s advanced certificate meets the educational criteria for the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) exam, adhering to the latest standards.
Program Summary
| Academic credential granted | Advanced Certificate (AC) |
|---|---|
| Credits required for completion | 24 |
| Time to completion | 2 full-time semesters |
| Course delivery | On campus |
| Experiential contact hours | 150 hours in schools |
| Application deadline | Priority Deadlines Fall/Summer: April 1, then rolling |
School counselor in K–12 setting.
Required Courses (15 credits)
CEP 505 Group Work in the Schools
CEP 532 Understanding Statistical Research
CEP 600 School Counseling Internship
CEP 648 Guidance Services: Organization and Administration
CEP 664 Process of Consultation
Elective Courses (9 credits) (choose three)
CEP 504 Introduction to Rehabilitation Substance Abuse & Addiction
CEP 541 Human Growth and Development
CEP 548 Coaching for Health and Physiological Integration (online)
CEP 549 Psychology of Women
CEP 553 Self-care in Service (on campus and travel course; alternating years)
CEP 560 Psychology of Learning and Instruction
CEP 566 Evidenced-based Interventions for Wellness and Engagement (online)
CEP 588 College Counseling for High School Students
CEP 611 The Mindful Therapist
CEP 615 Legal Aspects of Counseling
CEP 617 Advanced Group Counseling Theory and Techniques
CEP 629 Family Counseling
CEP 649 Rehabilitation Foundations
CEP 650 Behavior Therapy
CEP 689 Brief Solution Focused Therapy
CEP 750 Yoga for Health and Healing
Our program is open to current University at Buffalo graduate students only.
*Note: You must have a master's degree in school counseling from an accredited institution and be seeking permanent certification as a school counselor in New York State.
Submit your completed online application, which includes:
- Application fee: A $50 non-refundable application fee, submitted electronically through UB's ePayment system.
- Contact information for at least three individuals who will each be asked to provide an electronic recommendation letter. (This requirement is waived for current students or graduates of the University at Buffalo’s school counseling master’s program.)
- Academic transcripts: Upload scanned copies of all undergraduate and graduate transcripts, including the English translation, if applicable.
- Statement of education and career goals
Admission Interview: An interview is required to be considered for admission to this program.
Former/Maiden Name: Please provide us with your former/maiden name if you have one. When requesting transcripts, please ask the sending institution to indicate your current name and former/maiden name.
Admissions Decision: The admissions decision will be communicated to you as soon as review is complete. The decision is based on a number of factors and is the result of a thorough and deliberate process. All decisions are final and cannot be appealed.
In-State Residency Tuition
In order to qualify for the in-state residency tuition rate, you must provide residency documentation indicating you have lived in New York State (NYS) 12 months before your semester start date.
If accepted, you will need to upload three documents to qualify for the in-state tuition rate. See Required Documents for Residency Application for more information.
International Applicant Additional Requirements
- Official original proof of your degree
- A copy of your passport biographical page
- Official test scores—dated within two years of submitting your application—for either the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) Academic Test, the PTE (Pearson Test of English) Academic, or DET (Duolingo English Test).
- TOEFL minimum score is 250 for computer-based test, 600 for paper-based test and 79 for internet-based test
- IELTS Academic Test minimum score is 6.5 overall
- PTE minimum score is 55 overall
- DET minimum score is 120 overall
- Financial documentation: International graduate applicants must document their ability to pay for all costs incurred while studying in the U.S.
- An official bank statement
All financial forms and supporting documentation with required signatures must be uploaded with your application and dated within one year of your intended enrollment date.