School Counseling Certificate

Earn a School Counseling Certificate

Mercer’s School Counseling certificate is designed to provide mental health counselors with the coursework and experience necessary to be certified as a school counselor in the state of Georgia. Certificate completion includes 13 credit hours of coursework including a one-semester internship in a school setting.

This certificate covers a range of topics that will develop in-demand school counseling skills including:

The design of this certificate is aligned to required coursework and experiences specified by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission for certification in the state at the S-5 level. Candidates who complete this certificate will be eligible for school counseling certification in the state of Georgia through the Georgia Professional Standards Commission after taking and passing the state GACE exam in School Counseling.

Who is eligible for this certificate?

This post-master’s degree certificate is designed to provide mental health counselors with the coursework and experience necessary to be certified as a school counselor in the state of Georgia.

Admission requirements

Certificate students must be admitted to Mercer University as either degree-seeking or non-degree-seeking students. For credit-bearing certificates of 12 credits or more, at least two of the three courses used to complete the certificate must be earned at Mercer University.

• Master’s Degree
  Applicants must have earned a Master’s degree from a CACREP-accredited program in counseling.
• Official Transcripts from All Previously Attended Institutions
  Applicants must submit two (2) official transcripts of graduate work completed. Official electronic transcripts should be submitted to copa.admissions@mercer.edu. Former and current Mercer University students need not request a Mercer University transcript.
• Current Résumé
  Applicants must submit a current résumé providing evidence of relevant work experience.
• Two Professional Letters of References
  Applicants must submit two (2) professional references, complete an applicant rating form, and an optional letter of reference that speaks to the candidate’s potential as a counselor and the candidate’s academic promise.
• Goal Statement
  Applicants must submit a career or goal statement (one to two typed pages) that describes why the School Counseling Certificate important to the candidate and how it fits with the candidate’s career goals.
• $35 Non-refundable Application Fee
  Submit the required application fee in the form of a check or money order made payable to Mercer University. Do not send cash. The application fee is nonrefundable and cannot apply toward tuition. Former or current students of Mercer University need not submit another application fee.
• Background Check
  Applicants must complete a background check through DISA Healthcare Technology. To begin, click “Place Order” and enter Mercer’s assigned package code of MG58. After submitting, you’ll be guided through the process. Once your application is complete, the background check will be processed, and the results will be sent directly to Mercer.
• Interview

University policy requires identity verification for applicants to College of Professional Advancement online and blended graduate programs, as part of the application process.

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Explore School Counseling certificate courses

Students who complete the certificate will have all required coursework and experiences specified by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission for certification in the state at the S-5 level. Candidates who complete this certificate will be eligible for school counseling certification in the state of Georgia through the Georgia Professional Standards Commission after taking and passing the state GACE exam in School Counseling.

Complete five courses (13 credit hours) including a one-semester internship in a school setting

COUN 631 Introduction to School Counseling
COUN 632 Leadership and Administration in School Counseling
COUN 643 Counseling for College Access and Career Readiness
COUN 644 Orientation to School Counseling Practice
COUN 640 Internship in School Counseling

View course descriptions for the School Counseling certificate.

Ready to take the next step?

Schedule a personalized admissions counseling appointment, or contact the Office of Graduate Admissions at 678.547.6417 or copa.admissions@mercer.edu for more information.