Certificate Program in College Admissions Counseling and Career Planning

If current trends persist, the state will face a shortfall of one million college graduates by 2025, according to the Public Policy Institute of California. Its report, Educating California, finds that the state is facing a skills gap that threatens its future economy. Increasing the college-going rate is a critical step toward addressing this challenge. As a college advisor, you can be part of the solution.

The College Admissions Counseling and Career Planning Certificate Program will equip you with the in-depth knowledge and technical skills necessary to support and guide students in their quest for higher education and career fulfillment. This program consists of five courses, totaling 15 quarter units, and can be completed on a part-time basis in just one year.

Gain practical knowledge that matters

• Develop your professional competencies as a college counselor.
• Acquire specialized knowledge and training to transition into a counseling or advising role.
• Understand options available for traditional, nontraditional and underrepresented students.
• Gain the confidence to guide students in planning their postsecondary options.

Designed for professionals like you

This program is designed for college and career counselors in a high school setting, guidance counselors, college admissions personnel, junior and middle school counselors, teachers and those interested in developing an independent college counseling practice.

Quarterly schedule of courses

		UNITS	F	W	SP	SU
REQUIRED COURSES	College Admissions Advising: A	4
	Financial Aid	3
	College Admissions Advising: B	3
	Tools for the College Counselor	3
	College Counseling and Career Planning Practicum	2
F=Fall W=Winter SP=Spring SU=Summer; Schedules subject to change Classroom format

Required Courses

College Admissions Advising: A

4 quarter units academic credit, X345A.

Applying for college can be an overwhelming task for students and parents. Help ease the process by equipping yourself with the knowledge and skills to serve as a trusted guide and resource. Gain a macro-level view of college admissions and the role of the college counselor in supporting students and their families throughout the process. 

Topics include: 

• The college admissions process and timeline
• The range of college options
• Testing schedules
• Transcript analysis
• Components of an exemplary application

Sections of this course open for enrollment:

• College Admissions Advising: A    starts February 5, 2010

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Financial Aid

3 quarter units academic credit, X345.4.

With college costs rising, understanding financial aid benefits and processes is critical. Acquire the knowledge and resources to advise students, families and reentry adults seeking financial support for a range of postsecondary pursuits. Explore the finanical aid system in depth, including the array of funding sources, federal and state application processes, required forms and deadlines, documentation requirements and eligibility analysis. Additional topics include: interpreting the expected family contribution and the financial aid package, special programs for targeted populations and the role of the finanical aid office.

This course is not currently scheduled.

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College Admissions Advising: B

3 quarter units academic credit, X345.10B.

Building on College Admissions Advising: A, delve more deeply into key issues in the complex process of college admissions. Understand admissions considerations and the array of programs available for nontraditional and special needs populations, including: first generation students, the learning disabled, international students, athletes and those from underrepresented groups. Topics include: connecting students' interests to college options, guiding students in their choice of major and developing a compelling college essay.

Prerequisites:

College Admissions Advising: A.

This course is not currently scheduled.

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Tools for the College Counselor

3 quarter units academic credit, X345.2.

Gain essential tools to support your own professional growth as well as your students' career planning processes. Whether you work in a school or private setting, learn about the array of professional networks and resources that can keep you on top of the latest developments in career advising as well as tools to organize your own practice. Become familiar with the range of assesement tools available to help students explore their career options, including insterest inventories, aptitude tests and personality assessments.

This course is not currently scheduled.

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College Counseling and Career Planning Practicum

2 quarter units academic credit, X345.11.

Under professional supervision, apply theory and methodology learned in previous courses to real-world counseling situations. The practicum includes opportunities for observations and practice in a setting selected by you. In addition to course meetings, the fieldwork requirement spans eight hours of observation with time spent on reflection and synthesis, and 15 hours of counseling practice--five hours each with a traditional student, a nontraditional student and an underrepresented student. 

Course time is spent discussing and reflecting on experiences, and getting feedback and mentoring from peers and the instructor. You will complete a one-year professional development plan that identifies goals, objectives, activities and timelines for continuing your growth as an effective college counselor.

Prerequisites:

College Admissions Advising: A, Tools for the College Counselor, Financial Aid, College Admissions Advising: B.

This course is not currently scheduled.

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