Post-MS in Counseling: Childhood and Adolescence Disorders Certificate
Post-MS in Counseling: Childhood and Adolescence Disorders Certificate
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1 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2022, Oct. 24). Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, And Mental Health Counselors. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved July 28, 2023.
2 National Center for Education Statistics. (2022). Distance Learning. National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved July 28, 2023.
This certificate is offered through the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. The curriculum examines research, theories and evidence-based practices in the assessment and treatment of mental health disorders in young people with the end goal of improving quality of life and supporting individual and family relationships.
You will have opportunities to develop your communication skills and ethical decision-making, as well as to examine the Christian worldview and principles of servant leadership within counseling contexts.
The adolescent and childhood counseling certificate is available online. By choosing to earn your certificate online, you can enjoy the flexibility and convenience of learning from almost anywhere while continuing to manage your personal and professional commitments. The digital learning platform will enable you to easily access your course materials, enjoy discussions with your peers and connect with your instructors.
Grow your professional skill set and enhance your career qualifications by pursuing continuing education opportunities in childhood and adolescence counseling. The Post-Master of Science in Counseling: Childhood and Adolescence Disorders Certificate at Grand Canyon University is designed for working professionals who hold a master’s degree in counseling or other behavioral health fields who are seeking the opportunity to improve their ability to understand, connect with and help young clients.
Online: $600 per credit [More Info]
Up to 12 credits or 1/3 of the total program requirements in transfer (whichever is less)
Credits: Fill out the Lopes Eval to find out what will transfer
Admission Requirements (Master's)
OR 2.5+ Unweighted GPA and
Admission requirements may differ based on degree level, program and modality, or transfer status. Some programs of study may require a higher GPA and/or other qualifying criteria for admission. Please review full admission and program requirements in the University Policy Handbook.
* Degree must be from an accredited college or program that has been approved by GCU.
** Combined verbal/quantitative, after August 2011 (1,000 combined verbal and quantitative, prior to August 2011).
GCU is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. We focus on bringing together diverse students and instructors who are knowledgeable in their fields. The Post-Master of Science in Counseling program teaches advanced knowledge and skills in childhood and adolescent disorders, developmental issues, school and family life issues, child-parent relationships and the mental health disorders specified in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) published by the American Psychiatric Association (APA).
Children and adolescents are susceptible to a wide range of daily life stressors and mental illnesses. While many of these mental illnesses may also manifest in adults, recognizing and treating them in children requires flexible thinking and different approaches.
A youth counseling certificate can equip you to address the unique needs of young people throughout their developmental stages. Upon earning this certificate, you will have the opportunity to advocate on behalf of young people and to position yourself for possible leadership roles within the behavioral health field, empowering you to work toward more favorable outcomes for your community.
Prior to enrolling in this post-master’s childhood counseling certificate program at GCU, it is required that you possess a master’s or doctoral degree in any of the following fields:
Behavioral health
Clinical or counseling psychology
Counseling
Human development
Marriage and family therapy
Nursing
Psychiatry medicine
Social work
Substance abuse counseling
During this post-master’s certificate in counseling, you will examine theories related to child and adolescent development, best practices in identifying disorders and the use of evidence-based treatment modalities.
In courses such as Specialization in Professional Counseling and Development Through Childhood and Adolescence, you will explore the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) and be taught a framework for understanding childhood and adolescence disorders. The curriculum includes the psychosocial stressors within the family system and the physical, biological and psychosocial development of young people.
Progressing forward in this certificate program, you will have the opportunity to explore the following topic areas:
You will complete case study exercises designed to provide a practical, hands-on exploration of contemporary issues that you may encounter in your work.
Explore the following information, which may help guide your decision-making as you consider whether to focus your career on helping children and adolescents whose quality of life may be affected by mental health disorders.
It’s often possible to earn a baccalaureate or graduate degree in counseling via online classes. However, in order to meet licensure requirements in all 50 states for private practice, you must also complete in-person clinical experience hours under supervision.1 Other licensure requirements may apply, depending on the state in which you plan to practice. A counseling license is required for all counselors who work in private practice.1 However, if you are already a licensed counselor and would like to earn a post-master’s certificate in counseling that focuses on childhood and adolescence counseling, you can complete this certificate entirely online at GCU. Our online courses offer convenience to working professionals while still providing quality instruction.
Online education is becoming far more prevalent. Since the COVID-19 pandemic began affecting in-person instruction, distance learning at both the baccalaureate and post-baccalaureate levels increased substantially.2 It’s possible that because of the increasing prevalence of online education that all types of online certificate programs are becoming more respected. Of course, this can depend on the specific school and the employer. It’s best to choose an online certificate from an institutionally accredited school, such as GCU.
Enhance your professional and academic qualifications and work toward a specialization as a childhood and adolescence counseling professional. Apply today for enrollment in this post-master’s counseling certificate program at GCU.
