Here, you bridge healthy family relationships.
Healthy relationships are often seen as the cornerstone of individual well-being. Governors State’s Post-Master’s Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling Certificate specializes in training practitioners to be couple and family therapy therapists. This program emphasizes a holistic, wellness-based model of therapy, working toward a goal-oriented result.
Through this program, you will assess and address marriage and family-related issues, including, but not limited to, communication issues, parent-child relationships, family system dynamics, and couple's issues.
Reach your career goals.
As a licensed counselor, you are committed to making a difference in the lives of individuals. Advance your skills in creating strong and healthy relationships among couples and families with this post-master’s certificate.
Why get a Certificate in Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling?
Data collected in 2020 reflected the national median salary for Marriage, Couple, and Family counselors to be $56,890 with an average range of $38,320 – $63,810 (Bureau of Labor Statistics). Illinois’s median salary for Marriage, Couple, and Family counselors is $56,810.
Delivery Format
Governors State’s 18-credit hour certificate in Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling is offered fully on-campus.
Applications must be completed by February 15 for fall admission and August 15 for spring admission. NOTE - The
number of admits may be affected by accreditation standards and requirements.
THE CERTIFICATE APPLICATION PROCESS
IMPORTANT! Getting your application in early increases your chances of successfully proceeding
through the application process and waiting until the deadline decreases your
ability to submit any missing documents.
Therefore, it may cause your application to be denied. Getting your application in early does not increase your admission chances; it does
ensure accuracy. COMPLETE means all required documents were submitted, essay questions answered, required
transcripts have been received, and three (3) reference forms are included.
Criteria to be Considered for Admission
- Provide
evidence of having completed a Master's degree from a regionally
accredited institution of higher education in counseling or psychology;
- Be LPC or LPC eligible; and
- Have a graduate GPA of 3.0 or higher; and
- Be interviewed by faculty members.
Personal Reference Forms (3)
You must submit three
references on the official personal reference form. The personal reference forms should be completed by someone who can speak to your academic ability (faculty prefer these to come from instructors). Please contact the Graduate Academic Advisor if
you are unable to get a reference from an instructor. Letters of recommendation do not replace the official forms.
TOEFL Scores, if applicableApplicants who submit credentials from countries other than the United States must take the Test of English
as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) exam
and unrelated to residency status.It
is your responsibility to have the Educational Testing Service
submit scores before the deadline. Our Institutional Code is 1263.
Application FeeThe university requires a $50.00 application fee for all GSU graduate applications.
Application Process
STEP 1:
Access
the admission’s portal GSU Certificate Application and begin the application process.
STEP 2:
Read
the information carefully and answer all the essay questions within the supplemental
application.
STEP 3:
Read,
answer all the questions, and sign the Statement of Character.
STEP 4:
Request official graduate transcripts. GSU
official transcripts are not required!
STEP 5:
Complete the information necessary to acquire three (3) Personal
Reference Forms. You will
need the email address of all three individuals. Once the form(s) is returned, they will be
attached to your application.
STEP 6:
Office of International Services– Follow this link, and
it will provide you with the necessary instructions to make sure your
application is processed correctly. This
department also can provide any necessary support. Need a copy of TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
results (if applicable).
STEP 7:
Once
you have completed the application, submitted all documents, and paid the fee,
please send an email to Jeanetta G. Edwards - Graduate Academic Advisor jedwards4@govst.edu assuring you received any updates or notifications
regarding the process.
Required Certificate Courses
Counseling Course Prerequisites (12 hours)
*
or equivalent courses Marriage Couple and Family Required Certificate Courses (18 Hours) Total - minimal 18 Hours Certificate Requirements
Students must
meet all university requirements for a certificate. See the internship
manual or materials for additional information.
FINAL INFORMATION
Applications will be reviewed to determine if they
will be offered a spot in the program. Admission to the program is determined by
the program faculty who reserves the right to request personal
interviews with applicants. Admission decisions are final and cannot be
appealed. Students must follow the sequence, program, college, and
university requirements and policies.
Applicant must already possess a master’s degree in Counseling or Psychology
The review process takes about two weeks after the application deadline(s) for faculty to review
and determine who they would like to interview. Please be patient as you will be receiving
correspondence from the Graduate Academic Advisor.
Student Progress
The faculty monitors and evaluates
student progress continuously. The Counseling Department Faculty and
Student Handbook provide a specific description of the standards used to
evaluate student progress.
Conditional ContinuationThe
faculty may permit a student to progress conditionally. In such cases,
faculty review of the applicant's records and performance identifies
evidence that the student is likely to be successful in the program.The
status of all students permitted to progress conditionally is reviewed
by the faculty each semester, and students are informed in writing of
the conditions necessary for them to be transferred to good standing
status.When conditions are met, the student is transferred to good
standing status. Students may not be admitted to the culminating project
without achieving good standing status.
If you have questions or need additional information, please contact the Graduate Academic Advisor at (708) 534-4973.
View the Complete Certificate Requirements in the Academic Catalog