Specialized educational paths for admissions counselors are relatively new. Universities and colleges are tasked with keeping enrollments up during a down economy, and the need for professionals in this area has grown. Graduate certificate in admissions counseling online programs are designed for high school counselors, admissions staff at postsecondary institutions, counselors in private practice, and even parents who want to help their children make the most of available opportunities.
General Certificate
Enrollment specialists, whether in public or private college counseling, work directly with a student population. Tasks like advising students on admissions applications, keeping them on track for degree completion, conducting orientation activities, and handling student data are typical in this kind of position. Obtaining a graduate certificate in enrollment management, admissions counseling, or institutional marketing fine-tunes the skills that an effective admissions professional needs to attract and retain students.
These certificate programs are intended for working professionals who already hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree, depending on the particular program. Generally, entrance requirements include:
- An undergraduate or master’s degree from an accredited academic institution
- GPA of at least 3.0
- Proof of career experience in education, human resources, or training and development
- Resume or curriculum vitae
Individual programs vary in length, from as few as 13 to as many as 24 credit hours. Course work emphasizes the infrastructure of the college admissions system, including methodologies for acceptance, public and private application calendars and deadlines, admissions procedure, and financial planning. Attention is also given to specific segments of the student population and their needs, such as athletes, economically challenged students, gifted students, and students preparing for graduate school entrance examinations.
Some courses commonly found in programs like this might include:
- Effective Retention in Higher Education
- Strategic Enrollment Planning
- Financial Assistance Management
- Technology in Enrollment and Recruitment
- Effective Career Counseling Strategy
- Professional Ethics and College Admissions
- Cross-Cultural Student Counseling
Some online curricula include a practicum course. Local onsite practica must be approved by course administrators, or may be prearranged by the certificate program. Graduates of these certificate programs can expect to have the expertise necessary to navigate admissions and financial aid systems, as well as to design and implement effective strategies that drive enrollment.
What’s Next for Admission Counseling Certificate Holders?
Since most individuals who obtain a graduate certificate in admissions counseling are already working professionals, this certification furthers their marketability and provides a competitive edge for upper-level admissions counselor jobs. Holders of this type of certificate may work in any number of educational environments, from the typical land-based four-year university setting to more diverse institutions. Community colleges, vocational-technical colleges, military schools, and adult continuing education programs are just a few of the settings where these jobs might be found.
Typical job titles for graduates of these programs might be:
- Academic Advisor
- Dean of Student Affairs
- Recruiting Director
- Enrollment Services Coordinator
- Director of Financial Aid Services
- Admissions Director
- Grant Coordinator
- Registrar
- Marketing Manager
In some cases, earned credit hours may be applied toward future postgraduate study. While no doctoral programs exist in this field, many institutions online and offline offer master’s degrees in enrollment management.