College of Education and Human Development

Counselor Education

Post-Master's Certificate of Advanced of Study

The Certificate of Advanced Study (C.A.S.) in Counseling, a post-master's level program, is designed to offer a broad range of professional development opportunities for practicing counselors. The overall goal is to enhance and enrich the counselor's educational foundation and to give focus to advanced knowledge and skills that will shape future professional practice. Three concentration areas are offered: Clinical Supervision, Couple and Family Therapy, and Play Therapy; in addition, students may work cooperatively with faculty to self design a course of study that is substantive, developmental, and focused. Students may also take advantage of special certification options in substance abuse counseling, psycho-social rehabilitation counseling, and school counseling.

Course Requirements (30 credits)

Core Course (3 credits)
EDU 660 C.A.S. Seminar

Concentration (27 credits)
Students can pursue one or more of the concentrations detailed below, or design a professionally relevant concentration of their own with the assistance of a faculty advisor.

Portfolio
Students develop a professional portfolio describing progress toward professional goals while in the C.A.S. program. Portfolios are used in final seminars as the basis for discussion, summary, and sharing among completing students.

Concentrations: The following courses are examples of focus areas that students may wish to pursue.

Students interested in the field of clinical supervision may select these courses:
HCE 681 Clinical Supervision
HRD 687 Internship in Clinical Supervision
HCE 694 Practicum in Clinical Supervision
Electives: 18 credits selected in consultation with an advisor

Students interested in the field of play therapy may select these courses:
HCE 623 Theories and Applications of Play Therapy: Summer Institute

Electives: 24 credits selected in consultation with an advisor. At least two courses (6 credits) must be selected from the following list to qualify for national certification:
HCE 622 Counseling Children and Adolescents
HCE 624 Child-Centered Play Therapy
HCE 687 Internship in Clinical Supervision (play therapy placement)
HCE 694 Practicum in Individual Supervision (play therapy placement)
HCE 695 Practicum in Play Therapy
HCE 625 Adlerian Play Therapy

Self-Designed Concentration
With the assistance of their faculty advisor, students may design a program of study that fulfills their individual learning goals. This option may also be used to obtain state certification in psycho-social rehabilitation or school counseling, or state licensure as a substance abuse counselor.