Why this program?

The Graduate Certificate in Nature-based Counseling is a five course, 15 credit-hour program with a program objective to integrate ecological perspectives within the concepts and practices of mental health counseling.


What can you do with this certificate program?

Students interested in ecotherapy, deep ecology, earth-based traditional healing practices, non US-centric nature healing practices, ritual and rites of passage, mindfulness, horticultural, or nature-based settings. Graduates possess competencies in both conventional counseling and nature-based counseling.


What will this program look like?

  • To develop basic skills and knowledge necessary to incorporate culturally relevant nature-based modalities into mental health settings, from healing to well-being. This includes a general understanding of the history of the field, foundational theory, broad treatment applications, and ethical practices.
  • To develop critical thinking skills and knowledge necessary to facilitate as a practitioner in counseling that integrates nature-based interventions, including ethical considerations, cultural relevance, risk mitigation, evaluation, and integration of current research.
  • To possess competencies in nature-based counseling to be employable in a range of mental health settings.
Key Program Information

Number of Credits
15

Cost Per Credit
$830

Fall 2025 Priority Application Deadline
June 1, 2025

Fall 2025 Final Application Deadline
July 15, 2025

Fall 2025 Orientation Starts
August 11, 2025

Spring 2026 Completed Application Deadlines

Priority Application Deadline: October 1, 2025

Final Application Deadline: November 15, 2025

All new Spring 2026 students will be required to attend an all-day New Student Orientation event on Wednesday, January 7th, 2026, held virtually, as well as a virtual 3-day Colloquium event, January 8th-10th, 2026.

Spring 2026 Term Classes Start
January 13, 2026

Admissions & Apply

Are you interested in being part of our community?

One thing we all have in common is our passion – passion for helping others, passion for the environment, passion for social justice and a passion for a different kind of learning experience.