Graduate Certificate in Animal Assisted Therapy

This 9 credit Graduate Certificate in Animal Assisted Therapy in Counseling (AAT-C) provides specialized training and supervised practice in the ethical and humane inclusion of animals in the psychotherapeutic environment by credentialed mental health professionals. The curriculum is in alignment with the American Counseling Association (ACA) adopted AAT-C Competencies of Practice (2017). The AAT-C certificate may be completed by Clinical Mental Health Counseling students using the available 9 credits of elective coursework in the CMHC program of study, and is also open to School Counseling, Social Work, and Psychology graduate students pursuing a clinical learning track.

A baccalaureate degree from an accepted institutional accreditor, or its equivalent from a foreign institution, with a GPA of 3.0 or higher in all work attempted in the last 60 credit hours of undergraduate study.Transcripts, and foreign evaluations if applicable, from all post-secondary institutions attended. Admitted students will be prompted to provide official copies. Application essayTitle page with student name and date of submission1-2 page double spaced, typed APA formatDescribe interest in the field of Animal Assisted Therapy in CounselingDetail experience in working with animals, human-animal bond and/or the inclusion of animals and/or nature in healthcare or educationProvide expectation for professional use of Animal Assisted Therapy Certificate if admitted to program of study and awardedTwo letters of recommendationProfessional sourcesA minimum TOEFL score of 79 internet-based (550 paper-based or 213 computer-based) A band score of 6.5 on the University of Cambridge IELTS