Antioch University

What you'll study

The certificate emphasizes professional identity, social justice, and culturally responsive practice. Core learning objectives include:

• Ethical practice — applying professional ethics and ethical decision-making informed by social justice.
• Social and cultural diversity — strategies to address institutional and social barriers to access and equity.
• Human growth and development — lifespan development theory and integration into practice.
• Career development — career strategies that incorporate social justice and advocacy.
• Counseling and helping relationships — counseling theories, case conceptualization, and treatment planning grounded in social justice.
• Group counseling — practice that accounts for social and cultural contexts affecting groups.
• Assessment and testing — overview of assessment types, selection and use of tools, diagnosis, trauma assessment, and assessment of self-harm and danger to others.
• Research and program evaluation — developing a philosophy of practice informed by research and critical analysis.
• School counseling specialty — foundational knowledge and competence in school counseling practice focused on culturally responsive services for K–12 students.
• Professional dispositions — demonstration of attitudes and behaviors identified as exemplar counseling professionals.

The program concludes with clinical field experience totaling 600 hours.

Entry requirements

The certificate is offered at the post-master’s level for licensed counselors or as supplemental training for Antioch graduate students in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Psychology, or Therapy programs. Cohorts begin in the fall. Students should expect to dedicate approximately ten hours per class per week to coursework and preparation.

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared to function as professional school and clinical mental health counselors and for employment in school settings. The program is CACREP-aligned and supports meeting many states’ certification and licensure standards, though it cannot guarantee licensure—students must verify specific state requirements. Graduates may pursue national certification (NCC) after passing the National Counselor Exam; the program reports an 80% self-reported graduate NBCC pass rate.

Scholarships & funding angle (general)

The course page does not list specific scholarships. Prospective students should consult Antioch University’s admissions and financial aid offices for information on available institutional aid, external scholarships, employer sponsorships, and graduate funding options.