In as few as two semesters, fully online, with no GRE required, you can complete four graduate-level counseling courses from NC State and position yourself for a meaningful next step in the helping profession.
Graduate Certificate in Counselor Education (GCCE) Program at a Glance
| Credential | Graduate Certificate in Counselor Education from NC State |
| Format | Online; one weekly synchronous Zoom session, 8-9:30 p.m. |
| Pace Options | Full-time (2 semesters) or Part-time (just under 1 year) |
| Courses | Four graduate-level counseling courses |
| GRE | Not required |
| Start Term | Fall 2026 (Fall start only) |
| Deadline | July 31, 2026, at 12 p.m. noon |
Why GCCE
The GCCE Program is designed for working adults who want a credible, accredited credential without putting their lives on hold. You will meet your cohort virtually one evening each week, complete four counseling-focused graduate courses, and finish with skills you can apply immediately, whether you remain in your current field, transition into the helping profession, or build a stronger application for a master’s program in counseling.
Choose the Pace that Fits Your Life
The GCCE Program offers both full-time and part-time options for accepted students. Financial aid eligibility differs by option. Full-time students may qualify for federal financial aid; part-time students often finance the program through employer tuition assistance, payment plans, or self-pay across an extended timeline. For current tuition and fees, please visit the Eligibility and Cost page on our program website. Please indicate your preferred pace when completing your application so that you can be considered accordingly.
Full-Time GCCE Option (2 Semesters, August through May)
If accepted into the GCCE Program as a full-time student, you will begin in the Fall semester and enroll in two courses for the Fall semester and two courses for the Spring semester (with a winter break in between semesters). Upon receiving your official acceptance letter, you will receive specific course listings and additional programmatic information. Students who successfully complete their course load, earning a grade of “C” or better in each course, can finish the GCCE Program in just two semesters as a full-time student.
Full-Time Course Schedule:
- Fall (15 weeks): Multicultural Lifespan Development and Orientation to Professional Counseling, Identity, and Ethics
- Spring (15 weeks): Theories and Techniques of Counseling and Multicultural Counseling
Part-Time GCCE Option (Just Under 1 Year, August through July)
If accepted into the GCCE Program as a part-time student, you will begin in the Fall semester and enroll in one course per semester throughout one academic year. Upon receiving your official acceptance letter, you will receive specific course listings and additional programmatic information. Students who complete their courses with a grade of “C” or better in each course can finish the GCCE Program in just under one year.
Part-Time Course Schedule:
- Fall (15 weeks): Multicultural Lifespan Development
- Spring (15 weeks): Theories and Techniques of Counseling
- Summer 1 (5 weeks): Multicultural Counseling
- Summer 2 (5 weeks): Orientation to Professional Counseling, Identity, and Ethics
Course Deliverability and Flexibility
GCCE courses are delivered through both asynchronous and synchronous learning formats. Students meet virtually one evening per week via Zoom, from 8:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. While assignments and activities follow set deadlines, the virtual delivery of all GCCE courses helps students balance the program with their roles as professionals, parents, partners, caregivers, and community members.
What GCCE Graduates Go On To Do
Upon graduation from the GCCE Program, students have historically pursued a variety of professional and academic goals. Some remain in their current fields, applying the helping, interpersonal, and counseling-related skills they developed in the program to better serve clients, students, colleagues, and others within both professional and personal contexts. Others use the certificate to strengthen their qualifications for advancement within their current roles or to pursue new opportunities in areas such as academic counseling, advising, mentoring, teaching, paraprofessional counseling, residential life, behavioral health, and career counseling.
Additionally, some students complete the GCCE Program to gain graduate-level academic experience as they prepare to apply to master ’s-level counseling programs. While completion of the GCCE Program does not guarantee admission to graduate programs at NC State University, many students find that the experience strengthens their applications by demonstrating successful completion of graduate-level counseling coursework and readiness for the academic demands of advanced study.
For students who are later admitted into one of NC State’s Counselor Education master’s programs, all GCCE courses in which a grade higher than a “C” is earned transfer seamlessly into the program. Transferability to programs outside of NC State University cannot be guaranteed, as requirements vary by institution.
“I feel like the GCCE program gave me a strong academic foundation, awareness and curiosity of my own biases, and critical research skills I utilized during my master’s program. It was the perfect on-ramp for me to return to school after such a significant break. Thank you!”
A GCCE Student
Our Student Community
The GCCE Program is proud to serve a diverse student body representing individuals from all walks of life. Our students span a wide range of career stages, from early-career professionals to those entering the field without prior experience. Some students are parents at a place where they can finally prioritize their personal development; others are transitioning to new career paths or embarking on retirement. Additional students are enhancing their skills to better serve the people they already work with. Wherever you are in your journey, the GCCE Program offers a welcoming and supportive environment for all.
How to Apply
Required application materials include the NCSU Application Form, unofficial transcripts (official transcripts are required post-acceptance), a personal statement, and a current resume. GRE scores are not required. All accepted students begin in the Fall semester.
Your Next Step
Choose whichever option best matches where you are right now:
- Ready to apply: Begin your application.
- Still deciding: Email me at nmchilds@ncsu.edu to schedule a brief virtual conversation. I am happy to help you determine whether the GCCE Program aligns with your career goals and aspirations.
- Want more information first: Review the Eligibility and Cost page, then reach out with any specific questions.
