Certified Career Counselor (CCC)

The Certified Career Counselor credential is a recognition of two important factors in training and experience including both counseling and a specialization in career development, theory and practice. The most important aspect of this credential that differentiates it from other recognized practitioners is that it recognizes the intersection of counseling and career development. As other counseling specializations include substance abuse counseling, mental health counseling, family counseling and others, career counseling involves a core set of competencies that bring together counseling and career expertise. Whether applicants consider themselves counselors with a specialization in career or career service professionals who provide counseling, this credential is designed to recognize this important combination. Who is eligible for the CCC? There are three core elements to becoming a Certified Career Counselor through NCDA including an advanced degree in counseling, subsequent training in the career specialization, and a demonstration of competencies required of career counselors. We accept U.S. degrees and international degrees as well. International candidates will have to get approval through a transcript evaluation service. The credentialing home page explains the options on getting your international transcript evaluated. The Certified Career Counselor application, therefore, has the following 3 requirements: 1. Counseling Education: Successful completion of advanced degree in counselor education, counseling psychology, or closely related degree, with the following options and requirements: - Option One: Candidate graduated from a CACREP, CORE, or APA Accredited Graduate Program. Must submit the Title of Degree Program, Institution, and Date (month/year). - Option Two: Candidate earned a master’s degree or higher in a counseling program NOT accredited by CACREP, CORE, or APA. Must download and complete a coursework form and then upload for verification. - Option Three: International candidates have earned a master's degree or higher in a counseling program that has been approved through a transcription evaluation service. Accepted advanced degree programs must include the following core coursework: - Ethics and Standards in Professional Counseling - Social and Cultural Diversity; Social Justice; or Multicultural Counseling - Theories of Human Growth & Development over the Lifespan - Career Counseling Theory & Practice - Counseling Theory - Group Counseling - Assessment & Testing in Counseling - Research & Program Evaluation 2. Career Specialization: - Option One: Minimum of 600 hours of clinical experience in career counseling, pre or post degree, under the supervision of a career counselor or experienced career professional - Option Two: Minimum of 60 hours of approved continuing education units in career development research, theory, or practice through NCDA, NCDA State Associations, or NBCC Approved. - Option Three: Successful completion of the U.S. NCDA Facilitating Career Development course. 3. Career Counseling Competencies Successful completion of the online competency assessment and reference check. Graduates from CACREP accredited Career Counseling graduate programs are granted a "fast track" option for the CCC. The fast-track option means that graduates of these programs are immediately eligible, upon graduation, to apply and receive the CCC credential, bypassing the assessment portion of the process.