In as few as two semesters, GCCE students can complete four fully online, graduate-level counseling courses at NC State University, earning their certificate and preparing for a meaningful next step in the counseling or 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 class session per enrolled course, 8:00-9:30pm. |
| 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 2027 (Fall start only) |
| Deadline | July 15 by 5 p.m. |
Why GCCE
The GCCE Program offers a flexible, introductory exploration of counseling concepts and skills that can support both personal and professional growth. Through four fully online graduate courses at NC State University, you will learn alongside a cohort in weekly evening classes while building greater self-awareness, strengthening communication and relationship skills, and gaining practical tools you can apply in everyday life and a variety of professional settings. You do not need to plan on becoming a counselor to benefit from the program. Whether you want to grow personally, improve your effectiveness in a helping role, explore a career change, or prepare for graduate study in counseling, GCCE offers a focused, supportive next step.
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
Each GCCE course combines independent online work with live virtual class meetings. For each course, students attend one live Zoom class per week from 8:00 to 9:30 p.m. Assignments and activities have set deadlines, but all coursework is completed online, making it easier for students to balance the program with work, family, caregiving, and community responsibilities.
What GCCE Graduates Go On To Do
What GCCE graduates do next after graduation often reflects what brought them to the program in the first place. GCCE students come from a wide range of personal, professional, and academic backgrounds, and they enroll with different goals. While some students want to grow personally or strengthen skills they can use in their current work, others are exploring a career change or considering graduate study in counseling.
Oftentimes, many GCCE graduates remain in their current fields and use what they learned in the program to communicate more effectively, build stronger relationships, and better support clients, students, colleagues, and others. Graduates may also explore new opportunities in areas such as academic advising, mentoring, teaching, residential life, behavioral health, and career services.
Other graduates use the program to explore whether a career in counseling is right for them or to gain graduate-level experience before applying to a master’s program. The GCCE experience allows students to demonstrate their ability to complete graduate-level counseling coursework, develop foundational counseling knowledge and interpersonal skills, clarify their academic and career goals, and make more informed decisions about pursuing advanced study.
Please note that completing the GCCE Program does not guarantee admission to any of NC State’s Counselor Education graduate programs or to a graduate program at another college or university.
Students who are later admitted to an NC State master’s program in Counselor Education may apply all GCCE courses toward their degree, provided they earned a grade higher than a C in each course. Other colleges and universities establish their own transfer policies, so acceptance of GCCE coursework outside NC State cannot be guaranteed.
“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!”
GCCE Graduate, 2025
Our Student Community
The GCCE Program welcomes students from a wide range of backgrounds, life experiences, and career stages. Some enroll immediately after completing an undergraduate degree, while others return to school after many years. Some students are beginning their careers, while others are considering a career change or preparing for retirement. Many also enroll to focus on personal growth or develop new skills that will help them better support the people they serve. Additionally, students bring different levels of technology experience, from those who grew up using it to those who are less familiar with online learning. Regardless of your starting point, the GCCE community provides the guidance, practical skills, and support you need to participate fully and succeed throughout the program.
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 [email protected] 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.
