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Transfer, Non-degree and Licensure Seeking Students and Graduates

Your Next Steps in Counseling

Pathways for transfer, non-degree, and licensure-seeking students.

This page is designed to provide clear and accessible information for our transfer, non-degree, and licensure-seeking students and graduates. We understand that navigating the next steps in your academic and professional journey can be complex, and we are here to help. Please use the links below to find the specific information you need to achieve your goals.

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For Graduates and Professionals Seeking Licensure/Credentials:

Whether you're a recent graduate seeking your initial license or an established professional pursuing new credentials, we're here to help. This section provides the specific steps and documentation required for graduates seeking licensure in Kentucky or other states, as well as for professionals aiming to become a licensed school counselor.

Pathway to LPC for Licensed School Counselors

This guide outlines the process for currently licensed School Counselors who wish to complete coursework to meet the requirements for a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in their state.

Check Your Eligibility

Before you begin, you must meet all of the following criteria to be considered for admission as a non-degree student.

Degree & Credential: You hold a School Counseling degree and are a state-credentialed School Counselor. (Requirement waived if you graduated within the last 5 years).
Professional Experience: You can provide evidence of practicing as a School Counselor for at least 2 consecutive years within the last 5 years.
Supervisor Recommendation: You have a positive letter of recommendation from your immediate administrative supervisor.
What if I don't meet these criteria? If you do not meet all of these requirements, you will need to apply to the full Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) program.
The Application Process

If you meet the eligibility criteria, follow this two-part process to apply for non-degree coursework.

Part A: Verify State Requirements

It is your responsibility to contact your state's licensure board to get formal documentation outlining the exact coursework or other requirements you need. The department cannot make this determination for you.

Part B: Prepare & Submit

Send a single email to the Program Manager of Counseling with the required documents.

Find Contact Info

Application Checklist

To avoid delays, ensure your submission is complete.

Your Email:

Subject Line: "Seeking LPCA Course Requirements"

Body of Email:

  • State your intentions and list the courses you believe you need.
  • Confirm that you meet the three eligibility requirements listed above.
  • Provide the university, program name, and graduation date of your School Counseling degree. Note whether the program was CACREP-accredited.
  • Include your WKU #800 if you graduated from WKU.
Your Portfolio (as a SINGLE PDF attachment)

Combine the following documents into one PDF file to attach to your email. Incomplete portfolios will not be reviewed.

  • A copy of the email narrative from above.
  • A copy of your transcript.
  • A copy of your state School Counselor certificate/license.
  • Your resume, documenting your 2 consecutive years of employment.
  • The signed letter of recommendation from your supervisor.
After You Apply

Review Timing: Portfolios are reviewed during scheduled faculty meetings in the fall and spring semesters only.

Notification: You will be notified of the decision within 2 weeks of the meeting.

Conditions if Approved

If your request is approved, you must adhere to the following conditions for enrolling in courses.

Course Availability:

Enrollment is not guaranteed. Priority is given to students in the CMHC and MCFC degree programs. Courses that are already full will not be opened for additional students.

Academic Standards:

You are expected to adhere to all policies in the CSA Student Handbook. A grade of 'B' or better is required in all clinical courses.

Practicum/Internship:

Enrolling in a practicum or internship has special requirements, including preparatory courses (like Group Counseling) and a mandatory orientation. See the Professional Practice Manual for full details.

If you are a graduate of any of the Department’s Counseling programs and are seeking licensure or credentialing in another state, and need verification of your degree, curriculum and/or practicum and internship hours, please follow the steps below:

  1. Complete the documents required by the respective state. Since the Department is not responsible for maintaining your practicum and internship hours, you will need to complete this section to the best of your ability.
  2. When you have filled out all the information on the required documents, email the Department Chair with subject line: “Graduate Verification for Licensure.” In your email, please include the following:
    1. What is being requested (i.e., review and signature of a verification form, a cover letter) and for what state/territory
    2. Your full name as it was listed on your diploma/transcript
    3. 800#
    4. The Program you graduate from, and when

Both the Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling programs are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), which is a requirement for licensure in many states. Both programs prepare graduates with the requisites to take state professional counselor licensing exams, as well as the academic qualifications required of many state counseling boards. Because no graduate program can guarantee licensure upon graduation, students should consult with the appropriate agency to determine specific requirements, or refer to WKU’s Comparison to Other State Licensure doc. For more information about licensure, students should visit the National Board for Certified Counselors at https://www.nbcc.org/search/stateboarddirectory, the American Association of State Counseling Boards at www.aascb.org, and contact the appropriate licensing body. International students are encouraged to identify and contact their appropriate licensing body.

The Department of Counseling and Student Affairs offers a CACREP accredited, 60-hour graduate degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling that offers curriculum eligibility for the Kentucky School Counselor credential. In order to eligible for the School Counselor credential, you would need to have completed this specific CMHC curriculum. The Department does not currently offer another pathway to becoming credentialed as a Kentucky School Counselor.

Transferring Credits into Counseling Programs

For a comprehensive overview of the university's policies, please consult the official WKU Graduate School Catalog. Here is a summary of the key requirements that apply to our counseling programs.

Core Requirements for Transfer Credits

For a course to be considered for transfer, it must meet all of the following criteria:

  • Accreditation: The course must be from a regionally accredited college or university.
  • Required Grade: You must have earned a grade of “B” or better. Plus/minus grades are recorded as the letter grade only (e.g., B- or B+ both count as a B).
  • Credit Hours: The course must be worth at least 3 semester hours (or 5 quarter hours).
  • Department Approval: All transfer credit are subject to approval by the Department of Counseling and Student Affairs and the WKU Graduate School.

Transcripts are not articulated prior to applying to the program, and prospective students must apply and be accepted into the program before being considered for transfer, at which point transfer coursework would then be reviewed.

 Program Limitations & Timeline

Beyond the course-specific rules, there are two critical time and credit limits you must be aware of:

  • WKU Credit Minimum: You must earn at least half (50%) of the credits required for your degree directly at Western Kentucky University.
  • Six-Year Completion Window: All degree requirements, including any transferred courses, must be completed within six years of your initial enrollment in the program. This means any course you transfer must have been completed within six years of your expected graduation date.

 For International Students

If you are transferring credits from an international institution, you must first have your transcript officially evaluated. This evaluation must come from an international credential evaluation service recognized by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES).

For Non-Degree Seeking Students

Course Availability for Non-Degree Students

While not recommended for degree-seekers, a limited number of courses may be available for non-degree students, pending instructor permission.

These courses are often part of a Graduate Certificate program.

Fall Semester
  • CNS 501 Consultation and Collaboration
  • CNS 555 Social and Cultural Diversity
  • CNS 560 Professional Studies
  • CNS 637 Theories of Addictions
Spring Semester
  • CNS 557 Human and Family Development
  • CNS 558 Theories of Counseling
Summer Semester
  • CNS 500 College and Career Readiness Foundations
  • CNS 556 Developmental Career Counseling

How to Request Enrollment

If you wish to enroll in one of the courses above, you must email the instructor on record for permission. To be eligible, you must have been admitted to the WKU Graduate School and hold a bachelor’s degree with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.

  • Find the instructor's name and email by looking up the course in TopNet.

  • Send the instructor an email using the exact template below.

    • Subject: Non-degree Seeking Course Registration

    • Body:

      I am interested in enrolling in your [Name of Class] class during the [Name of Semester] semester.

      I can confirm that I have been admitted to the WKU Graduate School and have an earned bachelor’s degree with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.

      My 800# is [Your 800#].

Department of Counseling
and Student Affairs

Gary A. Ransdell Hall 3036
1906 College Heights Blvd. #51031,
Bowling Green, KY 42101-1030
(270) 745-4953

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 Last Modified 8/21/25