Mar 28, 2024  
2020-2021 Governors State University Academic Catalog 
    
2020-2021 Governors State University Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Post Master’s School Counseling Certification


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This College of Education  certificate is designed for those who already possess a master’s degree in Counseling or Psychology and now wish to pursue licensure in School Counseling. This set of a minimum of 24 hours meets the ISBE requirements for Educator License - School Counseling.

ISBE Certification

The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) has approved the School Counseling program to prepare candidates for the Educator License with an endorsement in School Counseling. Candidates seeking to be recommended for this credential shall either (1) hold or be qualified to hold a teaching license from a regionally accredited institution, or (2) have completed the GSU or equivalent teaching competence courses (i.e. EDAD-7801  , COUN-7620 , COUN-6622  and SPED-6101 ).

All School Counseling students must present evidence of passing the ILTS School Counselor Content Exam before they are permitted to begin internship and before they will be recommended for Educator License.

Admissions Criteria

In addition to the GSU graduate certificate requirements for admission, applicants must:

  1. Provide evidence of having completed a master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education in counseling or psychology;
  2. Have a graduate GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Student Progress

The faculty monitor and evaluate student progress continuously. The Counseling Department Faculty and Student Handbook provides a specific description of the standards used to evaluate student progress.

Conditional Continuation

The faculty may permit a student to progress conditionally. In such cases, faculty review of the applicant’s record and performance identifies evidence that the student is likely to be successful in the program. The status of all students permitted to progress conditionally is reviewed by the faculty each term, and students are informed in writing of the conditions necessary for them to be transferred to good standing status. When conditions are met, the student is transferred to good standing status. Students may not be admitted to the culminating project without achieving good standing status.

Certificate Requirements


  1. Students must meet all university requirements for a certificate. See the internship manual or materials for additional information.
  2. In addition, candidates must complete all relevant requirements in the Teacher Education and Licensure section of the University Catalog.
  3. A 600-hour internship is required for all counseling students.

Prior to receiving the university recommendation for the Educator License, students must provide evidence of having passed the School Counselor content area examination of the Illinois Licensure Testing System.

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