Got CCEP?
Customizable, on-demand professional learning for college counseling professionals, aligned with California Performance Expectations for the PPS Credential
Is your credential older than your students are? Or maybe you’re not sure if you are ready for a full graduate program in counseling? Have prior college counseling experience, but want to fill in some gaps?
Introducing…
HERE’S HOW IT WORKS:
- Attend 10 sessions (see example sessions below) and write reflections
- Do two college visits and visit reports
- Create your professional learning plan (don’t worry, we have templates!)
- Email us to let us know your portfolio is complete and ready for review.
- When your review is complete, you will receive your certificate!
WHAT’S THE TIMELINE?
- We have three enrollment periods (see chart below)
- Work at your own pace, combining live professional learning opportunities with recorded sessions to create a totally customized learning experience
- When you’re ready, let us know you have completed your portfolio: 10 Session Response Forms, 2 College Visit Reports, and your Professional Learning Plan.
- Portfolio review dates are three times per year (see chart below)
- WACAC will provide you with confirmation of your successful completion of the program, along with a certificate and a badge for your email signature.
| Quarter | Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 |
| Enroll by | 3/1/2025 | 7/1/2025 | 10/1/2025 |
| Complete by | 2/28/2026 | 7/31/2026 | 10/31/2026 |
| Portfolio Review Period | 3/1/2026-3/31/2026 | 8/1/2026-8/31/2026 | 11/1/2026-11/31/2026 |
WHO’S IT FOR?
- Counselors – and future counselors – in all states who work across settings
- High School Counselors – public, private, parochial, charter
- Independent Educational Consultants (IECs)
- Admission folx looking to explore new opportunities
- Counselor educators
- Counseling interns and graduate students
WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT?
- Learn practitioner and research-based strategies that satisfy the Performance Expectations outlined by the California Department of Education PPS credential requirements for college counseling.
- Attend ten (10) in-person and/or virtual professional development workshops plus completion of Session Response Forms
- Opportunities include Share, Learn, and Connect events and/or the WACAC Annual Conference, as well as NACAC, CSAC, and UC/CSU Conferences
- Tour two (2) college campuses in person and complete College Visit Reports
- Create a Professional Learning Plan
- Email us to let us know your portfolio is complete and ready for review
COST
$150 for the Certificate Program does not include membership or fees for SLCs or the Annual Conference..
REGISTER*
Complete your registration. You must be a WACAC member. Note: membership in WACAC is free to public high school and community-based organization counselors.
*You must join WACAC or renew your membership prior to registering for the CCEP Program.
Questions? wacacia@wacac.org
FAQ
I already have a credential – is this for me?
Maybe! The certificate may be a good match for you if:
- You are looking to meet the education requirements for new PPS credentials based on California Commission on Teacher Credentialing Performance Expectations.
- You are looking to expand your college counseling knowledge
- You have an older credential, or a degree earned in a time and place when college and career readiness was not part of your studies
- You are considering a career move that will include an emphasis on college counseling
Can I complete the certification without a huge budget for professional learning?
Membership in WACAC is free to public school counselors and counselors associated with Community-Based Organizations (CBOs). While some recorded webinars are available for free to members on the WACAC website, participants will likely have to register and attend one or more of the Share, Learn and Connect (SLC) programs, which offer approximately 25 sessions every February and March, and/or the Annual Conference in the spring, which schedules over 80 presentations. Registration for the SLCs ranges between $35 and $85, and the annual conference registration ranges between $300 and $350 (prices subject to change).
Who is behind this program?
WACAC, The Western Association for College Admission Counseling, is a non-profit volunteer organization with a membership of over 2,300 high school, community college, community-based organizations, independent, and college admission counselors.
What are the Required Topics?
- Creating a College-Going Culture (recommended as the first topic) (RCCC)
- Understanding Financial Aid Applications, How Financial Aid is Awarded and How to Create Financial Aid Awareness (RFA)
- Reviewing Transcripts and Understanding A-G (RA-G)
- Understand the Common Application and the Application Process for Private and Out-of-State Universities (RCAP)
- Knowledge of University of California and California State Admissions Criteria and Application Process (RCPB)
- Understanding Community College Options, including concurrent and dual enrollment and understanding the transfer process (RCCT)
- Private and Out-of-State Colleges and Universities, Common Application (RPCA)
What are the Elective Topics?
Choose three Elective Topics:
- Knowledge of Writing Letters of Recommendation (ELR)
- Knowledge of the NCAA and NAIA and The College Admission Process for Athletes (EATH)
- Understanding of College Application Process for International Students and the TOEFL (EINT)
- Understanding of Standardized Testing and College Admissions (PSAT, SAT, ACT, AP, IB) Including Process for Accommodations (ETST)
- Knowledge of the College Admissions Process for Students with Disabilities (ELD)
- Knowledge of the College Admissions Process for Students Pursuing Fine and Performing Arts (EVPA)
- Knowledge of Admission to Military Academies and ROTC (EMIL)
- Knowledge of the Western Undergraduate Exchange Scholarship Program (EWUE)