Antioch University

What you'll study

The certificate consists of three courses (see Antioch catalog for full details):

• COUN-6932: Advanced Perinatal Psychotherapy
• COUN-6930: Perinatal Mental Health
• COUN-6931: Reproductive Justice, Advocacy, and Integrated Care

Learning goals include assessment, case conceptualization, and treatment planning for perinatal mood disorders; understanding family and systems perspectives around new caregivers and healthcare providers; how medical changes related to gestation and birth affect parenting, wellness, and advocacy needs; impacts of pregnancy and parenting on lifespan development and identity; and reflecting on one’s own identities and countertransference when working with peripartum clients.

Entry requirements

Apply online and submit a personal statement addressing interest in perinatal mental health, an experience navigating multiple perspectives, and how the certificate will shape your identity or career (approximately two paragraphs for the first prompt). Provide two reference letters that speak to readiness for graduate-level writing and critical thinking, professional disposition, and suitability for engagement with social justice and reproductive care ethics. Send official transcripts from all postsecondary institutions attended (a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher is preferred). Additional requirements apply to international applicants and applicants without a bachelor’s degree. The GRE or other standardized tests are not required.

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared to work with pregnant people, new parents, and families across a range of care settings and to contribute to improvements in reproductive and perinatal healthcare systems. Typical roles align with clinical practice areas for counselors, marriage and family therapists, nurses, and allied health professionals who integrate perinatal-focused assessment and treatment into their work.

Scholarships & funding angle

The program page does not list specific scholarships. Prospective students should consult Antioch University’s admissions and financial aid offices for institutional funding, check employer tuition benefits, and explore external scholarships targeting maternal mental health, nursing, counseling, or allied health professionals. Consider budgeting for a 12-month enrollment and confirming any additional fees or costs with admissions.