Student Services
The Manitoba School Counsellor Certificate
Manitoba Education and Early Childhood Learning makes a School Counsellor Certificate available to qualified teachers. The certificate requirements support and recognize the professional preparation and education necessary to effectively carry out the responsibilities of a school counsellor within the school setting. To be eligible for a School Counsellor Certificate, a candidate will have thirty (30) credit hours of university course work at the post-baccalaureate level or above, as specified in the guidelines provided by the Professional Certification Unit (
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The School Counsellor certificate has the same status as Manitoba's School Administrator and Special Education certificates; that is, while it is highly recommended that certified individuals be hired into counselling positions, school authorities are not bound to hire only those holding this credential.
The University of Manitoba, University of Winnipeg, St. Boniface College, and Brandon University provide extensive coursework related to school guidance and counselling, both on campus and through satellite and distance education delivery. Additionally, professional development workshops and courses are available through Manitoba Education and Early Childhood Learning; the Manitoba School Counsellors' Association; the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba, and many more institutions, organizations and agencies. Common workshops directly related to the work of school counsellors include areas such as working with Indigenous children and youth, positive behaviour support, solution-focused strategies, bullying intervention, restorative practice, suicide intervention (e.g.ASIST), and threat assessment training.
