Online Graduate Certificate Programs in Counseling and Psychology
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“These certificates are designed to enhance the skills of mental health professionals and current counseling graduate students, allowing them to meet clients’ diverse needs more effectively.”
So Rin Kim, PhD, Assistant Professor and Counseling Program Coordinator, University of Missouri–St. Louis
Online graduate certificate programs in counseling and psychology sit somewhere in between bachelor’s and master’s programs. These are highly focused programs that typically can be completed in under a year. Students applying to online graduate certificate programs in counseling and psychology will need at least a bachelor’s degree, and sometimes they’ll need a master’s degree in a related field, too. While certificate programs do not grant a formal degree, they provide specialized education in a niche field, certified by an accredited school.
Online graduate certificate programs in counseling and psychology serve many functions. They can help transition a working professional into a different subdiscipline, aid in the completion of continuing education credits, or advance one’s path toward certification or licensure.
Graduate certificates can also give a working counselor an added understanding of a field that correlates to their own: a marriage and family therapist could add training in substance abuse counseling or a career counselor could add a specialization in industrial and organizational psychology. Their short duration, combined with the flexibility of their delivery make online graduate certificate programs a quick and targeted way to build one’s competencies in counseling and psychology.
Counseling careers have demanding educational and experiential requirements. Most counseling professions are regulated at the state level, while others adhere to more informal professional certifications. Many of the certificate programs below can count toward continuing education credits that state licensing agencies and certification bodies often require to renew credentials.
Each graduate certificate program comes with its own highly customized curriculum, and it’s important to understand how that curriculum relates to a student’s personal and career goals. To get a look at all the details on online graduate certificate programs in counseling and psychology, check out our guide below.
| Featured Graduate Certificate Programs | ||
|---|---|---|
| Arizona State University | Addiction and Substance-Use Related Disorders (Graduate Certificate) | Visit Site |
| Arizona State University | Applied Behavior Analysis (Graduate Certificate) | Visit Site |
| Arizona State University | Integrated Behavioral Health - Clinical (Graduate Certificate) | Visit Site |
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Meet the Expert: So Rin Kim, PhD
Dr. So Rin Kim is an assistant professor and the counseling program coordinator in the Department of Education Sciences and Professional Programs at the University of Missouri–St. Louis (UMSL). She holds a PhD in counselor education and supervision from Pennsylvania State University and advanced degrees in education and English education from Korea University.
Dr. Kim has over a decade of experience as a clinical mental health counselor and career counselor in both the United States and South Korea. At UMSL, she teaches courses such as helping relationship skills, theories of counseling, and psychopathology, aiming to prepare future counselors with both practical skills and theoretical knowledge.
Dr. Kim’s research explores vital areas like resilience in underrepresented populations, neuroscience in counseling, intersectionality, and counselor education. She has a strong focus on quantitative research methods, employing complex statistical techniques to support impactful studies. Her scholarly work includes notable publications on mental health counseling, neuromyths, and resilience.
Additionally, Dr. Kim actively contributes to UMSL’s academic programs, including the MEd in counseling, the counseling and human services minor, and the PhD program in counseling. Through her teaching, research, and practice, she continues to make significant contributions to the field of counseling and education.
CounselingSchools.com: What do you wish the public understood about graduate counseling certificate programs?
Dr. Kim: Graduate counseling certificate programs provide specialized training in specific areas of counseling, such as multicultural and social justice, family and relationship dynamics, career development, and school counseling. These certificates are designed to enhance the skills of mental health professionals and current counseling graduate students, allowing them to meet clients’ diverse needs more effectively.
Each certificate emphasizes both theoretical understanding and practical application, ensuring that graduates are equipped to serve their communities with targeted expertise. Additionally, school counseling post-master’s graduate certificates provide a pathway to certification in school counseling so professionals with master’s degrees do not have to pursue another degree to broaden professional opportunities as school counselors.
Last but not least, I would like to highlight that these graduate certificates are good add-ons to enhance counseling expertise, but they do not alter a master’s level counseling degree because completing the counseling graduate certificate does not fully meet the requirements of professional counseling licensure or certification.
CounselingSchools.com: What advice would you give to aspiring graduate counseling certificate program students?
Dr. Kim: Prospective candidates for counseling graduate certificates should carefully consider which area of counseling aligns best with their career goals and interests. Each certificate targets a specific skill set, such as supporting families and relationships, promoting career development, or enhancing multicultural and social justice counseling competencies.
Additionally, it’s important to recognize the value of the practical experience offered in these programs, as it prepares students to apply their skills in real-world settings. Finally, for those interested in school counseling, when they already hold a related master’s degree, selecting a program that meets state requirements for certification can open additional career opportunities.
Types of Graduate Certificate Programs in Counseling & Psychology
There are practically as many types of graduate certificates as there are professions. Check out our list below to see which one is right for you.
- Addiction Counseling – Certificate programs in addiction counseling prepare students to work with clients who suffer from substance abuse-related disorders.
- Career Counseling – These certificate programs prepare students to work with individuals who need guidance in their career planning: whether transitioning fields, looking for their first job, or facing retirement.
- Child and Adolescent Counseling- Counselors and psychologists who want to work with kids and teens can complete a certificate that provides them with the skills to work with them.
- Financial Counseling – Certificate programs in financial counseling focus on teaching students to help low- and middle-income households navigate their way to financial wellbeing.
- Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) – These certificate programs prepare students for the unique counseling concepts that come with treating couples and families.
- Psychology – Graduate certificate programs in psychology, which are generally grouped by subdiscipline, teach students the fundamentals of a specialized form of psychology.
- PTSD Counseling – These graduate certificate programs help students promote the safe and effective care of individuals and communities that are dealing with trauma.
- Rehabilitation Counseling – Graduate certificate programs in rehabilitation counseling teach students how to help people with disabilities to live independently.
- School Counseling – Certificate programs in school counseling prepare students to work with K-12 students in promoting healthy academic, career, and social development.
- Sports Counseling – Unlike sports psychology programs, which are primarily about athletic performance, sports counseling certificate programs take a holistic approach to the mental well-being and psycho-emotional needs of athletes.
Online Counseling Graduate Certificate Program Accreditation
Online graduate certificate programs are generally not accredited by the profession’s main accreditation authority. The American Psychological Association (APA) and the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), for example, only accredit some degree-granting programs. However, students in graduate certificate programs may still benefit by attending a program housed within a school accredited by the APA or CACREP, as some of the classes may be identical, and the curriculum may be set up with accreditation compliance in mind.
Students of graduate certificate programs should be certain, however, that their school is regionally accredited. This ensures that the program adheres to general standards around quality and content. Regional accreditation authorities recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) include:
- The Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
- Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
- WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
Typical Admissions Requirements for Graduate Certificate Programs in Counseling & Psychology
Admissions requirements for graduate certificate programs in counseling and psychology will vary from program to program. All will require at least a bachelor’s degree, but some will require that the undergraduate degree is in a related field. Others will require a master’s degree, and some are specific about the major or focus of that degree program.
Common admission requirements across all programs include a bachelor’s degree, a competitive undergraduate GPA (3.0 or greater), a statement of purpose, and letters of recommendation.
Supervised Clinical Hour Requirements – Graduate Certificate Programs in Counseling & Psychology
Not all graduate certificate programs in counseling and psychology will require supervised clinical hours, but programs that specifically prepare students for state licensure as a counselor or psychologist will. These requirements will vary from subdiscipline to subdiscipline and from state to state but generally include a supervised internship and/or practicum housed within the curriculum.
Even with online programs, students will have to adhere to this requirement. However, the school will often coordinate with the student to find a local placement at an eligible location.
Featured Online Graduate Certificate Programs in Counseling & Psychology
Purdue Global (Industrial/Organizational Psychology)
Purdue Global offers an online graduate certificate for working professionals who wish to broaden their knowledge of industrial/organizational psychology in business and organizational settings. Coursework is focused on the latest developments in human resources management and organizational leadership, including management, employee development, job motivation techniques, and training and evaluation.
Students also complete a field placement integrating academic knowledge and practical experience. The 30-credit program may be counted toward the completion of a master’s degree at Purdue Global.
- Location: Indianapolis, IN
- Duration: Eight to 12 months
- Accreditation: The Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Arizona State University (Addiction and Substance-Use-Related Disorders)
ASU has an online graduate certificate in addiction and substance use-related disorders that pairs state-of-the-art research with the expertise of licensed psychologists and counselors. The program is designed to increase competence to address the opioid crisis and cannabis legalization, develop expertise to work with special populations and individuals with co-occurring disorders, and expand the use of evidence-based treatments.
Intended for those with a bachelor’s degree in a behavioral health field, the 21-credit curriculum covers the core addiction-related content areas required for licensure in Arizona and several other states.
- Location: Tempe, AZ
- Duration: Six to 12 months
- Accreditation: The Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
University of Missouri – College of Arts & Sciences (Child and Adolescent Counseling)
The University of Missouri online undergraduate certificate in child advocacy studies prepares graduates to emotionally care for children who have experienced trauma. This certificate can be an excellent step toward earning a master’s degree in social work or counseling. Students are taught how to build emotional rapport with children and how to advocate for them in highly stressful situations such as a courtroom.
In total, students must complete 19 credits of coursework to earn this degree. Required classes include child maltreatment, forensic investigation in child abuse, and assessment and intervention in child abuse and neglect. All students must complete a required internship as well. Since this is an undergraduate program, students can apply for it upon completion of a bachelor’s degree.
- Location: Columbia, MO
- Duration: 12 to 24 months
- Accreditation: The Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
National University – JFK School of Psychology and Social Sciences (Marriage & Family Therapy)
Northcentral University offers an online post-graduate certificate in marriage and family therapy that’s designed to address the need for clinicians to add training in concepts related to marriage and family systems. With eight specialties to choose from, students are able to customize their certificates to their interests.
Specializations include couple therapy, education and supervision, general family therapy, medical family therapy, and military family therapy.
This certificate is specifically designed for independent and motivated students who already have a master’s degree. Students must complete 18 credits over the course of 12 months to complete this certificate. Since this is a completely online program students can start at any time.
- Location: Scottsdale, AZ
- Duration: 12 months
- Accreditation: WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
University of North Carolina, Charlotte – Division of Academic Affairs (School Counseling)
UNCC offers an online post-master’s certificate in school counseling for those who have already earned a graduate degree in counseling and want to become licensed school counselors. The didactic section of the program includes three classes: the professional school counselor; consultation in school counseling; and advocacy and leadership in professional school counseling; and advance int. The program consists of 12 credits and includes a 300-hour supervised school counseling internship.
Online students work collaboratively with the certificate director to secure a convenient and acceptable internship site. Upon completion of the certificate and passing the Praxis II, students can be recommended for school counseling licensure in North Carolina, and this licensure may be reciprocal with other states.
- Location: Charlotte, NC
- Duration: Eight months
- Accreditation: SACSCOC
Pennsylvania Western University – Department of Psychology, Counseling & Art Therapy (Sports Counseling)
Pennsylvania Western University’s online graduate certificate in sports counseling and student athlete mental wellness is designed to develop specialized counseling skills to improve the wellbeing, mental functioning, and physical performance of athletes. The program is rooted in the American Counseling Association (ACA) code of ethics and the NCAA’s best practices for mental health.
Students will take best-practice-based courses in the foundations of sports counseling, the contextual dimensions of sports counseling, the knowledge and skills for the practice of sports counseling, and student-athlete mental wellness. While the program does not certify a graduate as a professional counselor, it may be utilized as continuing education for the licensed professional counselor (LPC) and nationally certified counselor (NCC) credentials.
- Location: California, PA
- Duration: One to two summer sessions
- Accreditation: MSACS
University of California, San Diego – Department of Extension (Career Advising or Guidance Counseling)
UCSD has an online graduate certificate in career advising that helps graduates develop their clients’ strategies for achieving career goals. The program is designed for working career advisors and professionals in career advising roles who want to get the latest information on coaching techniques, career-building strategies, and current economic trends.
The 12-credit curriculum consists of three classes: foundation principles for career advisors, skill development for career advisors, and specialty areas for career advisors. Upon completion of the program, graduates will have learned the competencies of the Certified Workforce Development Professional (CWDP) national credential.
- Location: San Diego, CA
- Duration: Nine months
- Accreditation: WSCUC
Graduate Certificate in Counseling & Psychology Jobs
Become a School Counselor
As part of a wider educational team, school counselors work at the K-12 level to provide personalized academic, social, and developmental support to students. They may help students choose their class schedules, plan their career goals, or connect with other social and educational resources.
Outside of their one-on-one relationships with students, school counselors may also engage with the school and community as a whole, such as through awareness campaigns about bullying, eating disorders, or domestic abuse.
Due to their position of authority and influence over a young segment of society, school counselors must be certified and licensed by the state in which they practice. While precise requirements for licensure vary from state to state, they generally include a master’s degree in school counseling, a background check, and a state-administered exam. Those who already have a master’s degree in another area of counseling may pursue a graduate certificate to meet the didactic and supervisory requirements of licensure.
Become a Financial Counselor
Financial counselors help low and middle-income families who are struggling with their finances. Working with a client, they review a household’s debt and savings and offer proposals for how to lower the latter and increase the former. This may involve debt restructuring, reviewing tax structure, or connecting with ancillary financial services and resources. Financial counselors may also advise their clients on how to build healthy financial habits, and achieve financial wellbeing.
While financial counselors do not need to be licensed in order to practice, they may pursue optional certification. These industry-level credentials distinguish a financial counselor as competent, committed, and up-to-date on industry best practices. The Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education (AFCPE) offers one such certification, with its Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC) credential. The education requirements for the AFC credential are covered in many online graduate certificate programs in financial counseling. Candidates will then need an additional 1,000 hours of financial counseling experience, and to pass a final certification exam.
Become a Sports Counselor
Sports counselors use specialized knowledge of psychology and counseling to improve athletes’ well-being, mental functioning, and physical performance. Through athletics, they can help children and adults develop their social, physical, and athletic skills. They may act as mediators, coaches, or confidants. On top of their conceptual expertise, they’ll also leverage experience in designing, organizing, and managing athletics programs that consider their participants’ mental and physical well-being.
While sports counselors do not need to be licensed by the state in which they practice, many choose to pursue certification, such as the certified mental performance consultant (CMPC) credential from the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP). CMPC holders have obtained objective validation of their expertise in helping their clients. While applicants will need a master’s degree in some area of counseling in order to be eligible for the CMPC designation, an online graduate certificate in sports counseling will give an applicant the specialized knowledge they need to earn it.
Kimmy Gustafson
WriterAt CounselingSchools.com, Kimmy Gustafson’s expertly crafted articles delve into the world of counseling and mental health, providing valuable insights and guidance to readers since 2020. In addition to feature pieces and interviews, she keeps the state licensing tables current. Kimmy has been a freelance writer for more than a decade, writing hundreds of articles on a wide variety of topics such as startups, nonprofits, healthcare, kiteboarding, the outdoors, and higher education. She is passionate about seeing the world and has traveled to over 27 countries. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Oregon. When not working, she can be found outdoors, parenting, kiteboarding, or cooking.
Matt Zbrog
WriterMatt Zbrog is a writer and researcher from Southern California. Since 2020, he’s written extensively about how counselors and other behavioral health professionals are working to address the nation’s mental health and substance use crises, with a particular focus on community-driven and interdisciplinary approaches. His articles have included detailed interviews with leaders and subject matter experts from the American Counseling Association (ACA), the American Mental Health Counselor Association (AMHCA), the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).