Applied Helping Skills
Graduate Certificate
Program Overview
For both personal and professional reasons, it is essential that you know how to effectively speak and interact with people who are both similar to and different from you.
Professionally, employers regularly say they are looking for applicants who have the self-awareness and communication skills to work in diverse, dynamic teams. However, those same employers also claim that these are the skills that are most lacking in job applicants.
On the personal level, people are lonelier now than ever before, a fact that is largely attributed to a decline in people’s abilities to connect with others. These feelings of loneliness can lead to a range of negative life outcomes, including declines in physical and mental health.
Completing the graduate certificate in applied helping skills will prepare students in these personally and professional important skills. In particular, after completing the certificate, graduates will:
- Increase their abilities to understand diverse perspectives and to effectively interact with others
- Enhance their communication, helping skills, and leadership abilities
- Explore how their skills can be applied to vocational settings and interpersonal interactions.
This residential program has rolling admission. Applications must be fully complete and submitted (including all required materials) and all application fees paid prior to the deadline in order for applications to be considered and reviewed. For a list of all required materials for this program application, please see the “Admissions” tab.
Application Deadlines
July 1 is the deadline for Fall applications.
November 15 is the deadline for Spring applications.
Program at a Glance
- Major/Department: Educational Studies
- Research Area: Counseling Psychology
- Degree Objective: Applied Helping Skills Graduate Certificate
- Program Delivery: Residential
- Does this program lead to licensure? *No, this is a non-licensure program
- Application Deadlines: July 1 (Fall), November 15 (Spring)
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Courses
Total number of credit hours required: 12
Required Courses
Students must take ALL of the following:
- EDPS 600: Counseling Theories and Techniques
- EDPS 601: Counseling Theories and Techniques Laboratory
- EDPS 507: Counseling Multicultural and Diverse Populations
Elective Courses
Students should select ONE of the following:
- EDPS 500: Group Counseling Theories and Techniques
- EDPS 505: Foundations of Career Development and Assessment
- EDPS 625: Human Growth and Development
Admissions
In addition to a submitted application (and any applicable application fees paid), the following materials are required for admission consideration, and all completed materials must be submitted by the application deadline in order for an application to be considered complete and forwarded on to faculty and the Purdue Graduate School for review.
Application Requirements
Here are the materials required for this application
- Transcripts (from all universities attended)
- Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Academic Statement of Purpose
- Personal History Statement
- International Applicants must meet English Proficiency Requirements set by the Purdue Graduate School
We encourage prospective students to submit an application early, even if not all required materials are uploaded. Applications are not forwarded on for faculty review until all required materials are uploaded.
How to Apply
When submitting your application for this program, please select the following options:
- Campus and Program Tab:
- Select a Campus: Purdue West Lafayette (PWL)
- Select your proposed graduate major: Educational Studies
- First Choice Program Details Tab:
- Please select an Area of Interest: Counseling Psychology
- Please select a Degree Objective: Applied Helping Skills Graduate Certificate
- Primary Course Delivery: Residential
Frequently Asked Questions
Who should complete the Graduate Certificate in Applied Helping Skills?
Anyone! The skills taught in the program are applicable to both personal and professional relationships and settings, so regardless of your field or interests, the topics will be relevant and useful!
How many credit hours do I need to complete to receive the graduate certificate?
12 credit hours
What format are the classes in?
All courses for the Applied Helping Skills Certificate are offered face-to-face
How long are the courses?
Courses run for a typical 15-week semester
How many hours a week are the classes?
Classes meet for 2 hours and 50 minutes each week
How much time should I allow for doing homework and completing assignments?
Plan on devoting 10–15 hours a week on coursework, depending on the course requirements that week and your study habits.
This program does not lead to licensure in the state of Indiana or elsewhere. Contact the College of Education Office of Teacher Education and Licensure (OTEL) at licensure@purdue.edu before continuing with program application if you have questions regarding licensure or contact your state Department of Education about how this program may translate to licensure in your state of residence.
