College Counseling Practicum
EDUC-40132
The final component of the Specialized Certificate in College Counseling allows participants the opportunity to network with colleagues and apply their newly developed skills. Participants will engage in online discussions as well as research and develop a final project.
This course is intended for individuals who have completed the first two courses (Principles of College Counseling & College Counseling Strategies) in the UC San Diego Extended Studies College Counseling Certificate Program. The goal of this last course in the certificate sequence is to allow students to apply their growing knowledge of college counseling in an extended, in-depth project designed to meet their own professional needs. Students are encouraged to be aware of the larger educational issues that impact their own work as a college counselor. It is hoped that students will continue to be involved in the college counseling profession in a serious manner and see themselves as influential and ethical practitioners who value research and best practices.
Course Information
You must register for this course with the Letter Grade Option. If you do not then you must retake the course at your own expense with the Letter Grade Option in order to be eligible for the certificate at the end of the program. Previously offered as EDUC 30132.
Course sessions
Section ID:
Class type:
This course is entirely web-based and to be completed asynchronously between the published course start and end dates. Synchronous attendance is NOT required.
You will have access to your online course on the published start date OR 1 business day after your enrollment is confirmed if you enroll on or after the published start date.
Textbooks:
All course materials are included unless otherwise stated.
Policies:
- No refunds after: 6/24/2025
Schedule:
Instructor: Katherine Dendy, M.S.
Pupil Personnel Services Credential in Counseling and a MS degree in Education Counseling
Kate Dendy, M.S., holds a Pupil Personnel Services Credential in Counseling and a M.S. in Education Counseling. She is a School Counselor in the Carlsbad Unified School District. In addition, she has many years of experience in college admission including advice, assistance with college searches, applications, essays and financial aid.
Section ID:
Class type:
This course is entirely web-based and to be completed asynchronously between the published course start and end dates. Synchronous attendance is NOT required.
You will have access to your online course on the published start date OR 1 business day after your enrollment is confirmed if you enroll on or after the published start date.
Textbooks:
Fundamentals of College Admission Counseling 6th
by NACAC
ISBN / ASIN: 9780986286322
You may purchase textbooks via the UC San Diego Bookstore.
Policies:
- No refunds after: 7/8/2025
Schedule:
Instructor: Tara Hornor
Tara Hornor holds a Ph.D. in Higher Education, M.Ed in Instructional Design, and M.Ed. in Counseling with extensive experience developing and teaching online higher education courses and supervising enrollment management. Experienced in directing institution-wide enrollment management, evidenced by service as Dean of Enrollment Management (The Citadel) supervising admissions, financial aid, and the graduate college and previous service as Director of Admissions (National Defense Intelligence College). Over 14 years experience teaching online courses.
Section ID:
Class type:
This course is entirely web-based and to be completed asynchronously between the published course start and end dates. Synchronous attendance is NOT required.
You will have access to your online course on the published start date OR 1 business day after your enrollment is confirmed if you enroll on or after the published start date.
Textbooks:
No textbook required.
Policies:
- No refunds after: 7/22/2025
Schedule:
Instructor:
Steven Mercer, Ed.D.
Independent Educational Consultant at Mercer Educational Consulting; presenter at international educational conferences; former admission officer at USC.
Steven Mercer, Ed.D. is the founder of Mercer Educational Consulting, a private college counseling practice based in Los Angeles, CA with clients around the globe. He is an experienced educator with an extensive background in selective college admission, counseling, teaching, and academic and non-profit leadership. Prior to founding Mercer Educational Consulting, he was an admission officer at the University of Southern California. In additional to working with students one-on-one, Dr. Mercer works as a consultant to colleges and universities on matters related to college admission.
Section ID:
Class type:
This course is entirely web-based and to be completed asynchronously between the published course start and end dates. Synchronous attendance is NOT required.
You will have access to your online course on the published start date OR 1 business day after your enrollment is confirmed if you enroll on or after the published start date.
Textbooks:
All course materials are included unless otherwise stated.
Policies:
- No refunds after: 9/23/2025
Schedule:
Instructor: Katherine Dendy, M.S.
Pupil Personnel Services Credential in Counseling and a MS degree in Education Counseling
Kate Dendy, M.S., holds a Pupil Personnel Services Credential in Counseling and a M.S. in Education Counseling. She is a School Counselor in the Carlsbad Unified School District. In addition, she has many years of experience in college admission including advice, assistance with college searches, applications, essays and financial aid.
Section ID:
Class type:
This course is entirely web-based and to be completed asynchronously between the published course start and end dates. Synchronous attendance is NOT required.
You will have access to your online course on the published start date OR 1 business day after your enrollment is confirmed if you enroll on or after the published start date.
Textbooks:
Fundamentals of College Admission Counseling 6th
by NACAC
ISBN / ASIN: 9780986286322
You may purchase textbooks via the UC San Diego Bookstore.
Policies:
- No refunds after: 10/7/2025
Schedule:
Instructor: Tara Hornor
Tara Hornor holds a Ph.D. in Higher Education, M.Ed in Instructional Design, and M.Ed. in Counseling with extensive experience developing and teaching online higher education courses and supervising enrollment management. Experienced in directing institution-wide enrollment management, evidenced by service as Dean of Enrollment Management (The Citadel) supervising admissions, financial aid, and the graduate college and previous service as Director of Admissions (National Defense Intelligence College). Over 14 years experience teaching online courses.
Section ID:
Class type:
This course is entirely web-based and to be completed asynchronously between the published course start and end dates. Synchronous attendance is NOT required.
You will have access to your online course on the published start date OR 1 business day after your enrollment is confirmed if you enroll on or after the published start date.
Textbooks:
Fundamentals of College Admission Counseling 6th
by NACAC
ISBN / ASIN: 9780986286322
You may purchase textbooks via the UC San Diego Bookstore.
Policies:
- No refunds after: 10/21/2025
Schedule:
Instructor: Tara Hornor
Tara Hornor holds a Ph.D. in Higher Education, M.Ed in Instructional Design, and M.Ed. in Counseling with extensive experience developing and teaching online higher education courses and supervising enrollment management. Experienced in directing institution-wide enrollment management, evidenced by service as Dean of Enrollment Management (The Citadel) supervising admissions, financial aid, and the graduate college and previous service as Director of Admissions (National Defense Intelligence College). Over 14 years experience teaching online courses.
