Post-master's Certificate Counseling Practice

Certificate Director

Jake J. Protivnak, Ph.D. 
Professor
Department of Psychological Sciences and Counseling
(330) 941-1936
jjprotivnak@ysu.edu

The Post-Master's Counseling Certificate for Counseling Program provides a pathway for individuals who already possess a Counseling master's degree to complete the additional coursework required to obtain training for employment in a new specialized area within the Counseling Profession.

Graduate degree in Counseling required.  Gradu­ate grade point average, a letter of intent, name and contact information of references, and a required interview are important factors in determining the admissibility of an applicant to the Post-Master's Counseling Certificate. Applicants will be interviewed by members of the Counseling Admissions Committee and must meet the standards prescribed in the counseling program’s admission policies. The following are the admission requirements:

  • Applicants must have earned above a 3.0 grade-point average.  (If an applicant's GPA is slightly below the minimum required, an applicant may include a GRE or MAT score to have their application reviewed.)
  • Letter of Intent (approximately 4 pages double-spaced) with response to the following items:  a.) What factors are motivating you to pursue a Post-Master's Counseling Certificate at this time? b.) Please give an example of when you have determined to make desired changes in your life.  What motivated you to seek this change and what obstacles did you overcome? c.) What do you believe are the most important counseling skills for helping a culturally-different individual? d.) The Counseling Program offers four (4) options; Addiction Counseling, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, School Counseling, and College Counseling/Student Affairs.  Which Counseling Program option are you most interested in pursuing in your Post-Master's Counseling Certificate? What is your motivation to specialize in this area?
  • Names and contact information of three references
  • Official transcripts of all undergraduate or graduate work completed
  • Counseling Interview
  • Application Deadlines: Fall Admission - June 15th; Spring Admission - October 15th  Summer Admission - March 15th
COURSE TITLE S.H.
Certificate Area (Select 9 credit Hours)9
Clinical Mental Health Counseling Practicum 2
Practicum in Student Affairs
School Counseling Internship Seminar
Student Affairs Internship Seminar
School Counseling Practicum 2
Clinical Mental Health Counseling Internship Seminar
Students repeat 7005, 7007, or 7010 for a total of 6 credits
Required (6 credit hours)
COUN 7020Field Experience Supervision (Course taken 2 times)6
Elective (Select 3 credit hours)3
Orientation and Ethical Issues in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Orientation and Ethical Issues in School Counseling
Orientation and Functions of Student Affairs
Theory and Foundation of Addictions Counseling
Addictions Counseling: Treatment and Intervention
College Counseling and Student Mental Health
Diagnosis of Mental Disorders
Family Systems Counseling
Trauma and Crisis Counseling
Counseling Practicum 1
Counseling Children and Adolescents
Diagnosis and Treatment of Children and Adolescents
School Counseling Program Development
Legal and Ethical Issues in Student Affairs
College Student Development
Clinical Psychopathology and Treatment
Principles and Techniques in Counseling Supervision
Counseling Techniques
Leadership and Administration in Student Affairs
Assessment in Student Affairs Practice
Total Semester Hours18

Learning Outcomes

  1. Students will demonstrate professionalism, professional identity, and fitness to practice.
  2. Students will demonstrate knowledge in a specific program area (i.e., Addiction, Clinical Mental Health, School, College Counseling & Student Affairs).

Victoria E. White Kress, Ph.D., Professor
Self-injurious behavior; complex psychological trauma; child abuse, domestic violence, rape/sexual trauma survivors; DSM; strength-based/creative counseling interventions

Kenneth L. Miller, Ph.D., Professor
Measurement of cultural bias and discrimination; child abuse; technology use in clinical supervision; gender equity

Jake J. Protivnak, Ph.D., Professor
Counselor education; supervision; adolescent/college student interventions