Be an Effective Counselor with Culturally Focused Skills and Sensitivities

International School Counselor talking to a student in their office representing the International School Counseling Certificate focus of enhancing knowledge and skills for solutions-focused counseling in the international school setting

The International School Counseling Certificate program is designed to provide participants with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed to effectively provide counseling and develop school counseling programs in International Schools.  Certificate participants will acquire a working knowledge of career, academic, and social-emotional counseling specifically focused on counselors wanting to and working in international schools.

The International School Counseling Certificate is offered by the USD School of Leadership and Education Sciences’ Counseling & Marital and Family Therapy department, and facilitated by the Division of Professional and Continuing Education. The certificate is designed for professional practice with the goal of enhancing counseling skills to international school students.

The Certificate comprises of 10 units of coursework offered with the Professional and Continuing Education department to give Graduate Level Extension credit and is designed to support and develop the skills of educators working in counseling-related roles in international schools. Participants meet online in groups with a dedicated instructor. For those with a prior MA in school counseling, this certificate can act as an opportunity for supervision, community and networking. For those who are are already working in international schools that are presented with opportunities to work in counseling or student support roles this certificate will help to provide content, new skills, and a sense of shared community. The format of the program is collegial and case presentations are used as the main mechanism of instruction. All content areas (e.g. systems, cross cultural perspectives) are approached as a series of lenses that can be applied to the cases with increasing complexity. Due to the flexibility of this format, courses do not have to be taken in order. 

Who Should Attend

This certificate program is designed for:

  • Participants who are employed as school counselors in International schools or are in counseling-related positions in International schools.

The program allows for participants to pursue the program for graduate-level extension credit for professional development.

Prerequisites

  • Currently working in an international context, or have worked in an international context
  • Masters degree (preferred, but not required) or other training in a field other than school counseling

PLEASE NOTE: Due to regulations from the U.S. Department of Education, the University of San Diego is unable to enroll students in its online programs who reside in Alabama, Arkansas, District of Columbia, Georgia, Iowa, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Rhode Island and Wisconsin.

Schedule and Fees

Course # Required Courses
(10 Units)
Duration SP SU FA Fees*
COUN-X563 Cross Cultural Counseling Skills for International School Counselors
(3 units)
15 weeks OFD OFD OFD $1,050
COUN-X565 Crisis & Trauma Prevention and Intervention in International School Counseling
(3 units)
15 weeks OFD OFD OFD $1,050
COUN-X566 International Career and College Readiness
(3 units)
4 weeks OFD OFD OFD $1,050
COUN-X567 Applied Theories and Techniques in International School Counseling
(1 unit)
1 weeks OFD OFD OFD $350
One Time Certificate Fee $45
Total Certificate Cost (4 courses) $3,545
C = Classroom; OFD = Online Fixed-Date; OSP = Online Self-Paced; IS = Independent Study Self-Paced
*Schedule and Fees are subject to change.

Get More Information

If you have any questions about certificate enrollment or curriculum, please contact our Enrollment and Student Services team at continuinged@sandiego.edu.

Program Details

The International School Counseling Certificate Program offers:

  • Graduate level extension credit from the University of San Diego's Professional and Continuing Education Department.
  • Highly flexible coursework designed for working professionals
  • Opportunity to collaborate and network with other international professionals
  • Increase school counseling skills in international schools
  • Gain support in often isolated professional settings
  • Work with faculty with advanced degrees and years of counseling experience

Complete the requirements below to earn a professional certificate in International School Counseling. The certificate can be completed in less than 12 months. Read Certificate Benefits and Policy.

  • Complete 4 required courses, COUN-X563, COUN-X565, COUN-X566 and COUN-X567 (total of 10 units)

Enroll in this certificate program, and purchase the certificate fee. Earn graduate level extension credit in semester hours from the University of San Diego.

  • Understand current school counseling models and learn how to apply them in international schools
  • Learn how to apply specific cross cultural perspectives in international school counseling
  • Explore international school counseling ethics
  • Learn how to apply to and coordinate responses to trauma and crisis events in international settings
  • Explore relevant career theories and college readiness techniques within international schools
  • Practice solution-focused counseling skills adapted for international school settings

Additional Details

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