College of Education

School Counseling Licensure-Only Admissions

School Counseling Certificate for Post-Master's Students

Admissions

The School Counseling Certificate program is designed to help already licensed counselors, therapists, and social workers move into the school system. To be eligible for this program, you must already hold a master’s degree in counseling, social work, or psychology, which included a clinical practicum.

 

Yearly Admissions Timeline:

Spring 2024 start:

  1. February 1st: Application deadline
  2. Interview Date: February 12th at 6pm

Summer 2024 start:

  1. May 1st: Application deadline
  2. Interview Date: May 13th at 6pm

Fall 2024 start:

  1. August 1st: Application deadline
  2. Interview Dates: To be determined

 

Admissions instructions

  1. The school counseling certificate program admits for the summer, fall, winter, and spring terms. Check the application deadline for your program.
  2. Make sure you have everything ready from the Application Checklist.
  3. Create an account or sign into the Portland State University Admissions Application system.
  4. Select "Start New Application" and then "Graduate Application." Do not select "Non-degree". You will not be able to upload the necessary documents with the non-degree application, and your application will not be considered.
  5. For the college, select "College of Education"
  6. For the program of study, select "Counselor Education: School Counseling Certificate for Post-Masters Students" 

To validate your admission you must take a course during the term in which you have requested to be admitted. Should you not take a course in that term, your application will be cancelled and you will need to reapply to the next cohort.

Questions about the application process?

If you have questions about the application process, contact askcoe@pdx.edu.
Learn about available scholarships and financial aid.

Application Checklist

  • Statement of purpose—directions can be found within the online application on the ‘Program materials’ tab
  • Unofficial transcripts are accepted by the College of Education for the program application. You only need to submit transcripts from institutions that you earned a degree from and where any graduate coursework was taken. Additional unofficial transcripts may be sent in if it significantly improves your application GPA. If admitted, you must send in official transcripts from each degree-granting school and any graduate school. More information on submitting official transcripts can be found on the Graduate Admissions page.
    • Acceptable unofficial transcripts are:
      • Web-based transcripts downloaded from an institution: institution and student name must be visible on transcripts
      • Photocopies of official transcripts: these must include the front and back of all pages, including transcript key
  • Previous applicants: If you’ve previously submitted official transcripts to PSU, you are still required to upload unofficial transcripts to complete your application.
  • International applicants: Please review the requirements listed on the Graduate School's website.
  • After you are admitted, you must submit official transcripts to:
    • Graduate Admissions
      Portland State University
      PO Box 751 (Graduate School)
      Portland, OR 97207-0751
      Electronic official transcripts should be sent to graddocs@pdx.edu
  • Resume—applicants are asked to upload a resume on the ‘Employment’ tab that demonstrates their prior work and volunteer experience, as related to the field of counseling.
  • Two letters of recommendation—applicants will enter contact information for two references on the ‘Letters of Recommendation' tab. We will send those references a request to complete a form on the applicant’s behalf.
  • English Language Proficiency—applicants who are non-native English speakers and who do not hold a degree from Australia, English-speaking Canada, Ghana, Ireland, Kenya, New Zealand, Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States, or Zimbabwe must submit valid proof of proficiency. Please visit the Graduate School to learn more about your options for proving proficiency.

Retention of Student Documents

All application documents submitted to PSU become the property of the University and may not be copied or returned to a student. Transcripts from other institutions cannot be copied. If you have any questions regarding the application process, please email askcoe@pdx.edu.

It is a University requirement that students register and pay for at least one credit in the term they are admitted. Failure to do so will result in automatic cancellation of your admission. If you need to change the term for which you intend to begin classes after you have submitted your application, please contact your department at askcoe@pdx.edu to discuss your options.