SO, I’ve been tossing the idea of starting an 18 credit graduate certificate program with some colleagues. Here’s a few reasons why:
- most of our students go on to work in high schools
- we have a higher education administration program in the department with relevant courses
- when our students graduate with the M.Ed in school counseling, they still need to complete an additional 24 graduate credits to qualify for professional licensure
- there is a movement nationally to offer at least a course in college counseling to future school counselors
- it’s very interesting!
The program would be structured such that new students could complete a 48 credit combined M.Ed/Certificate in Undergraduate Admissions (two courses would count towards both the certificate and M.Ed). Alternatively, folks from other universities could do the graduate certificate in 18 credits.
At present, here are thoughts on what it would look like:
Required Courses (12 credits)
- The American College/University Student
- Career Development
- Internship
- College Counseling
Electives (6 credits)
- College and University Cultures
- Multicultural Counseling
- Junior/Community College: Processes and Problems
SO, in the combined M.Ed / Certificate program, the internship would need to be done in a high school, and the career development course would count towards both the M.Ed. and certificate.
I’m interested in knowing what you think! If you have any comments, please feel free to leave them below, or send me an email to tpoynton@suffolk.edu .