Full course description
School counselors, college access professionals, other educators, and community stakeholders play an integral role in the college application process. Students and families who are new to the college application and financial aid process often find themselves lost among forms, deadlines and higher education language that does not resonate with them. Students and families, especially those in underserved high schools, are more likely to report feeling ill-prepared for this process. As a result, many of these students decide not to attend college or limit their possibilities to two-year or under-resourced colleges.
Dedicated counselors, educators, and other stakeholders who are specifically trained in college advisement can close the gap in knowledge around higher education. Counselors are vital to a student’s academic success because they demystify the college admissions process. TC CAP-online seeks to provide targeted curriculum on college advising, improve professional competence, and increase college opportunities for underserved high school students. This program will achieve this by:
- offering a specialized curriculum in college advising with an emphasis on serving high performing and low income students
- reducing the inequities in college attendance and graduation for underserved students by training culturally competent school counselors and advisors
- creating strategic alliances and partnerships in the community to enhance outreach and service delivery
- building a well-trained, diverse, and vigorous workforce of school counselors and paraprofessionals who will serve as agents of change and social advocates in reducing disparities in higher education
The College Advising Continuing Education program was made possible, in part, by a grant from the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation.
Dates & Registration
Dates: September 21 - November 16, 2026
Format: Asynchronous Online Modules
Price: $500
For more information, questions or to register: Email tcacademy@tc.columbia.edu