UMass Global Adds New Graduate Certificate in Educational Counseling

ALISO VIEJO, Calif. (August 30, 2024) — To help address the ongoing shortage of school counselors in the United States and abroad, University of Massachusetts Global (UMass Global) has added a new certificate program — the Graduate Certificate in Educational Counseling to its offerings. This new graduate-level certificate will first be offered for the Fall II Session, which begins October 21, 2024.

This three-course, nine-credit graduate certificate is designed for educators, administrators, and counselors to build the skills needed to support and guide students. UMass Global also intends it to be a pathway to progress on to a Master of Arts in Counseling (with the corresponding Pupil Personnel Services Credential), which is offered by the university. Students advancing into that graduate degree program will be able to apply the nine credits from the Graduate Certificate in Educational Counseling to their MA in Counseling.

The need for school counselors in the United States is extreme. The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) recommends that for every 250 students there should be at least one school counselor. However, according to research by ASCA, the national average ratio is 385-to-1. In California, the ratio is 509-to-1.

Dr. Lori Piowlski, Dean of the School of Education at UMass Global, explains the reason the school developed this new graduate certificate. "In today’s rapidly changing and often stressful world, the presence of skilled counselors is more critical than ever. They are not only advocates for students' academic success but also crucial in fostering their emotional and social well-being. By helping students set realistic goals, develop coping strategies, and explore their potential, educational counselors are key to empowering the next generation to thrive in both their academic and personal lives. Their work is indispensable in creating a supportive and effective learning environment." 

The UMass Global Graduate Certificate in Educational Counseling is meant to elevate the skills of educators and counselors both nationally and internationally. The nature of UMass Global’s online platform makes that possible.

About UMass Global

Founded in 1958 and accredited by WSCUC, University of Massachusetts Global (UMass Global) is a nonprofit affiliate of the University of Massachusetts, committed to helping adult learners change their lives through education. We offer over 55 online programs tailored for workplace relevance — associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees, along with teaching credentials, stackable certificates, and authorizations. All UMass Global coursework is 100 percent online, which meshes with the busy lives of our non-traditional students. We are known for attentive student support, accommodating transfer policies, high graduation rates, alumni satisfaction, and low student debt loan default rates. www.umassglobal.edu