Professionals in human resource development (HRD) are at the leading edge in preparing their organizations to meet the competitive challenges of the global economy.

Counseling the chronically ill, the dying, their caregivers and bereaved loved ones or others who are facing difficult life transition takes more than a willing and compassionate spirit. The specialized counseling graduate certificate in grief, loss and life transitions builds these skills.

This 12-hour graduate certificate program is designed for counselors, social workers, clergy and other professionals who work with people facing loss and life transitions and hold a minimum of a bachelor's degree.

Students choose four out of the five offered courses:

Theory, research and practice are balanced throughout the curriculum in order to enable students to development and implement strategies that increase organizational development and learning. The program of study includes international company site visits, cultural exchanges, world-renowned faculty and guest speakers. With courses offered at sites in Asia, Europe, Africa and South America, students go beyond classroom learning to developing their own global competence through actionable learning around the world.

This 12-hour graduate certificate program is designed for state, federal, nonprofit, and community-based rehabilitation professionals. It allows them to enhance their ability to assess and place persons with disabilities into steady employment environments.

Students in the master's program in higher education administration acquire the skills and knowledge needed for success in their chosen field. They undertake coursework, internships and other professional opportunities.

This certificate provides sound understanding of organizations as human systems. Students learn about the interaction of human behavior and organizational processes. Each course in the certificate program is part of the existing curriculum for the master’s degree in Human Resource Development (HRD). Upon completion of the certificate, a student may choose to continue in the master’s program, at which point the student would be required to submit an application and meet entrance requirements. All coursework completed in the certificate will transfer into the master’s program.

The program offers a collaborative multidisciplinary approach, making it ideal for counselors in private practice, rehabilitation counselors and supervisors, directors of rehabilitation agencies and vocational experts.

Counselors seeking additional education required for certification also benefit from this program.

GW’s program in forensic rehabilitation counseling is one of only two such programs offered nationally in the United States.

Program Objectives

Students in the certificate program:

The programs examine research and reflective practice related to curriculum, teaching and learning, teacher education and broader educational policies.

The program applies curriculum and instruction research and practice in the context of educational reform for diverse student populations. Students become part of a community that links scholars with practicing professionals, policymakers and educational organizations.