The future is in the next generation of students, and school counselors help students develop the academic and social skills they need to thrive. A vital part of the educational leadership team, school counselors provide valuable assistance to students whether they're setting the tone in elementary schools or enhancing the learning process in secondary school or beyond.
Why Choose School Counseling?
The advanced certificate in school counseling program is designed for students who have earned a master’s degree in counseling making them eligible for provisional certification in New York State. Our program is grounded in research and shaped by the needs of schools and other organizations that require professional counseling services. Upon completion of 21 credits, students may apply for New York State permanent certification if they have worked as a school counselor for two years.
The Classroom
The small class size (no more than 18-20 in a section) provides students and professors the opportunity to collaborate and get to know one another. We accept students from diverse educational backgrounds and professional experiences. From economics and finance, to humanities teachers and engineers, each student brings their experiences to the classroom and everyone is enriched by this. Most students form lifelong connections.
The Faculty
The faculty in this department are more than professors, they’re practitioners, from mental health and school counselors to psychologists. Their diverse training and years of job knowledge will enhance your classroom experience and accelerate your learning.
What Will You Learn?
You will learn how to foster the development of individuals through all stages of life. By merging theory with practice, you will emerge with the necessary knowledge, skills and disposition to:
Assess, facilitate, and guide individual development
Help students understand and overcome social or behavioral problems through classroom guidance lessons and counseling
Work with individuals from diverse backgrounds
Counsel individuals and small groups on the basis of student and school needs
Work with students to develop skills, such as organizational and time management abilities and effective study habits
Help students create a plan to achieve academic and career goals
Engage students in career and college readiness
Be an empathic, caring human service provider
If you wish to specialize in post-secondary advising you may choose the college advising concentration, an optional 12-credit program that provides additional expertise in guiding student success in college.
What Will You Do?
The school counseling program prepares students for counseling in schools, community organizations, colleges and other agencies that require the services of a professional counselor.
Jobs for School Counseling Professionals
Careers of interest for school counseling students include the following.
Career counselor
Elementary school counselor
High school counselor
Middle school counselor
Community-based counselor
Expected August 2023
School of Education & Health
Manhattan College,
4513 Manhattan College Parkway, Miguel Hall, Room 205,
RIVERDALE,
New York,
10471, United States
Applicants for advanced certificates must hold a bachelor's and master's degree, both from accredited institutions.
Normally, an undergraduate GPA of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale is required, although other factors can be considered in the decision for admission.
Ideally, applicants should have suitable preparation in the behavioral sciences. Consideration will be given for teaching experience and for other applicable experience. Applicants who possess a bachelor's degree but do not have relevant background experience may be required to take prerequisite courses for admission.
Other factors will be considered for admission, such as years of professional experience, a high average in major field, scores on required standardized tests, or academic development beyond the baccalaureate degree.
A minimum TOEFL score of 80 will satisfy admission requirements to a graduate education department at Manhattan College and the criteria for issuance of the I-20 form.
*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.
