School Counseling, Post-Master’s Certificate – Online

School Counseling courses are delivered 100% online. A new course sequence begins each Summer. The certificate consists of 12 credit hours that are offered as one course in each of the summer sessions and two courses in the fall term. This program culminates in a 300-hour supervised school counseling internship, in addition to participation in weekly internship supervision seminars for students to demonstrate advanced level skills.

Course listing:

• CSLG 7141: The Professional School Counselor (3)
• CSLG 7140: Consultation in School Counseling (3)
• CSLG 7646: Advocacy and Leadership in Professional School Counseling (3)
• CSLG 7436: Advanced Internship in Counseling (3)

• A master’s degree in Counseling from an accredited program.
  • Must include coursework in:
    • Lifespan/Human Growth and Development
    • Counseling Theories
    • Counseling Techniques/Skills
    • Group Counseling 
    • Multicultural Counseling 
    • Career Counseling/Development
    • Research Methods
    • Assessment and Evaluation Methods/Appraisal 
    • Practicum and Internship in Counseling (700 hours total)
• Three recommendations. Applicants will provide reference contact names and email addresses through the application portal.
• Complete the Graduate School Admission Application.
• Copies of unofficial transcripts from all academic coursework beyond high school.
• A statement of purpose that explains the applicant’s career goals.
• A current resume reflecting work and volunteer experience.

• February 1 (summer first half), with potential deadline extension possible

Applicants can apply via the UNC Charlotte Graduate Admissions website.

Students are accepted into the program as a cohort, therefore application decisions are only made once per year, following the deadline or until the cohort is filled.

UNC Charlotte alumni of the Post-Master’s Certificate in School Counseling work in educational organizations and companies including:

• Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
• Cabarrus County Schools
• Guilford County Schools
• Chapel Hill/Carrboro City Schools
• South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice
• Additional school districts outside of North Carolina

These UNC Charlotte alumni have job titles such as:

• Directors of School Counseling
• High School Counselors
• Middle School Counselors
• Elementary School Counselors

School counseling licensure

Upon completion of the certificate and passing the Praxis exam in school counseling, students can be recommended for school counseling licensure through the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. Pending state requirements, this licensure may be reciprocal with school counseling licensure/certification in other states.

Solid salary expectations

Lightcast, a global leader in labor market analytics research, collects job and salary data from UNC Charlotte graduates. Lightcast reports that the average estimated salary for selected alumni of the Post-Master’s Certificate in School Counseling program is $59,900.

Choosing the UNC Charlotte Post-Master’s Certificate in School Counseling means selecting a program that supports your ambition to make a significant impact in educational settings. With a curriculum aligned with the American School Counselor Association’s standards and designed for immediate real-world application, you’re not just earning a certificate; you’re preparing to transform lives.

This program follows a cohort model, meaning students move through the curriculum together and take all coursework at the same time. Learning alongside the same group fosters strong relationships, meaningful collaboration, and a supportive professional network. As students progress as a team, they build lasting connections while gaining diverse perspectives that enrich the academic experience.

NC Resident: $309.59 per credit hour
Non-Resident: $1,186.59 per credit hour