College Counseling certificates?

I am looking to retrain a bit after having been let go by the Cal State system last year. There isn't much happening in the CSUs right now in distance education, and I'm relying on adjunct work at the moment. Fulfilling, but not a good way to prepare for retirement. I have had a great deal of experience working with students both on grad committees and at the community college level and very much enjoyed being a part of student development.

I thought I might go for a certificate in college counseling to try to use what I already have to move into a slightly different career focus. I'm not, at this point in my life up to another Masters. Has anyone here been through one of these certificates? By default I was planning or the UCLA or UC Davis Extended University online programs, but I thought I might get some feedback from others first. The main area I'm looking at is the community college level or perhaps adult education.

Any ideas, thoughts, or experiences would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

Lloyd

 

Based on what I've read, counseling careers are based upon a state issued license, not a college cert. Maybe others know better.

 

There at least four variations on this program at the UCs, no credential needed. Probably because it is really a guidance counselor position for admissions and student tracking. I was just wondering if there were other programs out there that anyone had heard of. This is the one I was primarily considering.

https://www.uclaextension.edu/r/ProgramDetails.aspx?reg=CF348

 

Good evening!

Although your sample program focused on the high school level, your post mentioned college-level work. Perhaps you would consider the program in academic advising at Kansas State. They have a certificate program as well as a master's degree program, and more information can be seen at Academic Advising – K-State Division of Continuing Education on the web.

Good luck with your search for the right program!

 

Don't waste your time!

There isn't a whole lot of opportunity in college advising and/or student services.

 

Really, or only a point of view?

 

Thanks, I'll have a look at that program. An advising load was part of the job at a CC that I worked at a few years ago in CO. I very much enjoyed it. In CA they seem to have dedicated positions at the enrollment end of the community college. That was what got me started on this path. I figured that since I already had a faculty background the certificate would be a natural followup. Maybe more than a certificate is needed.

 

It's easy enough to check. All colleges have employment sections of their websites. Do a random sample of the schools in your general area. I'd be willing to bet that you don't find a single opening. That's the case where I live.

 

Just looked, and your correct, Kizmet.

 

OK. I guess I'll go with something that I know more about. It sounds like the consensus is that I am wasting my time. Thanks for the input.

 

No, dont stop.

 

My university had an entry-level opening in student services, and we had dozens of applications, many of them with decades of experience in the field.

The problem is that the field is overcrowded and doesn't pay very well....two strikes in my opinion.

I work in the field now, but I am planning to go into secondary education, partially because there is very little opportunity for advancement.

 

For what it's worth, there are actually a number of academic advising and related positions available - at least out here in California.

I'm currently enrolled in the UCLA College Counseling certificate and have enjoyed it thus far (first course). Although I will say I'm tempted by the M.S. in Academic Advising degree from KSU.

I'm interested in an academic advising position, and/or launching a practice as an Independent Educational Consultant. I'm more than half way done with my MBA, so the masters degree requirement usually required for academic advising positions is taken care of, but I'm not sure which is better in the long term - a Certificate from UCLA Extension, or a M.S. from KSU. Opinions?