Why Choose School Counseling at Bushnell?
Prepare for school counseling licensure. Learn from experienced practitioners. Grow within a supportive cohort. Bushnell’s School Counseling Certificate is designed for professionals who want to transition into PK–12 school counseling through a program that combines graduate coursework, supervised clinical experiences, and Christian values.
As part of a supportive cohort, you’ll strengthen your counseling skills through supervised clinical experiences while developing expertise in student assessment, crisis response, academic planning, career development, and comprehensive school counseling. You’ll work alongside experienced faculty mentors while learning to collaborate with teachers, families, and community partners to support PK–12 student success.
Graduate prepared to support the academic, social, emotional, and career development of PK–12 students. Grounded in Christian values and aligned with Oregon licensure requirements, the program equips you to lead with confidence while making a meaningful impact on students, schools, and communities.
What You’ll Study
How the Curriculum is Structured
The School Counseling Certificate builds on your graduate preparation in mental health while focusing on the knowledge and skills needed to serve students in PK–12 schools. You’ll study counseling theory, child and adolescent development, academic and behavioral assessment, career development, ethics, multicultural counseling, instructional strategies, and comprehensive school counseling.
Coursework prepares you to support students’ academic achievement, career exploration, and social-emotional development while collaborating with educators, families, and community partners. Throughout the program, you’ll strengthen your professional identity as a school counselor while preparing for Oregon licensure.
Program Coursework
- Introduction to the Counseling Profession
- Ethical & Legal Issues in Counseling
- Academic & Behavioral Appraisal and Intervention
- Career Development and Counseling
- Child & Adolescent Development and Mental Health
- Early Childhood/Elementary Counseling
- Middle School/High School Counseling
- Teaching Practicum
- School Counseling Internship (Elementary)
- School Counseling Internship (Secondary)
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Clinical Practice
Hands-on learning is a core part of Bushnell’s School Counseling Certificate. You’ll complete a supervised Teaching Practicum in an accredited school, followed by 600 hours of supervised school counseling internships that prepare you to serve students across PK–12 settings. Internship experiences are completed under the guidance of licensed school counselors with support from Bushnell faculty and include placements in both elementary and secondary schools. These experiences allow you to apply counseling theories, ethical decision-making, student assessment, crisis intervention, and collaborative problem-solving in authentic PK–12 school environments.
Throughout your clinical experiences, you’ll apply counseling theory, develop intervention and assessment skills, collaborate with educators and families, and gain the practical experience needed to support students’ academic achievement, career readiness, and social-emotional well-being. These experiences prepare you for PK–12 school counseling licensure while building the confidence and professional identity needed to serve as an effective school counselor.
Planning Your Certificate
Find everything you need to know about admissions, licensure requirements, clinical experiences, tuition, and next steps as you prepare to become a licensed PK–12 school counselor.
Admission to Bushnell University’s graduate certificate programs includes:
- Completed graduate application
- Official transcripts showing a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
- Statement of purpose (2–3 double-spaced pages) outlining your career history, professional goals, and guiding principles
- Current resume
- One professional or academic letter of recommendation addressing your academic ability, work performance, and character
- Two completed disposition assessments
- Personal interview with the admissions committee
- Current teaching license (required for educator licensure and endorsement certificate programs)
You’ll complete a supervised Teaching Practicum along with 600 hours of school counseling internships in both elementary and secondary school settings. These experiences allow you to apply counseling theory and evidence-based practices in real schools while working alongside licensed school counselors and Bushnell faculty mentors.
Bushnell’s School Counseling Certificate aligns with Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC) requirements and prepares eligible candidates to apply for PK–12 school counseling licensure. The curriculum combines graduate coursework with supervised clinical experiences to prepare you for professional practice in Oregon schools.
Your investment includes tuition along with educational expenses such as books, technology fees, and other program-related costs. Bushnell’s admissions and financial aid teams are available to help you understand tuition, estimate your total costs, and explore available funding options and cost of attendance.
Bushnell is committed to making graduate education accessible for working professionals. Learn more about Graduate Financial Aid and explore employer tuition assistance, military and veteran education benefits, scholarships, and other funding opportunities. An admissions counselor can help you explore funding opportunities available for the School Counseling Certificate.
Accreditation
Bushnell University’s School of Education meets rigorous academic and professional standards. The Teacher Education program is nationally accredited by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP) and regionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). In addition, Bushnell’s licensure programs are approved by the Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC). These accreditations ensure the program meets rigorous state and national standards while preparing graduates for PK–12 school counseling licensure and professional practice in Oregon.
Career Outcomes
What Can You Do with a School Counseling Certificate?
Earning Bushnell’s School Counseling Certificate prepares you to support the academic, career, and social-emotional development of students while meeting Oregon requirements for PK–12 school counseling licensure.
You’ll be prepared to:
- Become a PK–12 school counselor
- Support students’ academic success
- Promote student mental health and wellness
- Lead comprehensive school counseling programs
- Partner with families, educators, and community agencies
- Prepare for Oregon PK–12 school counseling licensure
Skills You’ll Gain
Through Bushnell’s School Counseling Certificate, you’ll develop practical, career-ready skills, including:
- Individual and group counseling
- Academic, behavioral, and social-emotional assessment
- Crisis intervention and student support
- Student advocacy and leadership
- Ethical decision-making
- Family and community collaboration
Frequently Asked Questions?
Yes. The School Counseling Certificate is designed for professionals who have already earned a graduate degree in a mental health-related field. The curriculum builds on your previous counseling education while preparing you for PK–12 school counseling licensure.
Bushnell’s School Counseling Certificate is designed for professionals who already hold a graduate degree in a mental health-related field and want to become licensed PK–12 school counselors. The program builds on your existing counseling knowledge while preparing you for school-based practice and Oregon licensure.
Yes. The curriculum aligns with Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC) requirements and prepares eligible candidates to apply for PK–12 school counseling licensure. Candidates must also meet all applicable state licensure requirements.
Many students continue working while enrolled in the program. The hybrid format combines evening classes with online learning, though you’ll also complete supervised clinical experiences and internships during regular school hours, which may require adjustments to your work schedule.
The program includes a supervised Teaching Practicum and 600 hours of school counseling internships completed in both elementary and secondary school settings. These experiences provide practical preparation under the supervision of licensed school counselors while helping you meet Oregon licensure requirements.
Contact Us
Have questions about Bushnell’s School Counseling Certificate? Your admissions counselor can walk you through requirements, discuss transfer credits, and help you figure out your next step.
Our faculty and staff are 100% committed to your learning and invested in your success.
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Next Steps
Interested in becoming a part of the Beacon community? We’re here to answer questions and help you see if Bushnell is right for you.
