Ecotherapies FAQs

No. Federal financial aid is not available for non-degree graduate programs. However, if students are currently enrolled in a master’s or educational specialist degree counseling program, and have elective courses in their programs, they may be able to apply financial aid to some Certificate courses. For more information, visit the Financial Aid webpage: Non-degree, licensure, and certificate programs

Full requirements are available on the Admissions website.

If you have already been accepted into a master’s or educational specialist degree program at Lewis & Clark, you may use an abbreviated application process for the Ecotherapies certificate. Contact your advisor for information and the form.

If you are not a current Lewis & Clark student, you must apply to the program and be accepted. Full details are available from the admissions office.

• Students in Lewis & Clark Counseling, Therapy, and School Psychology (CTSP) department programs can add the 8-credit certificate to their degree program. Students in the Marriage, Couple, and Family Therapy program can choose to enroll in an Ecotherapies Track. Some of the Ecotherapies certificate courses may also serve as electives for program completion. CTSP students should discuss this possibility with their advisors.
• Students undertaking comparable master’s degrees at other institutions who are admitted into the certificate program.
• Alumni of Lewis & Clark graduate programs who are admitted to the certificate program.
• Master’s or doctoral level graduates from other institutions with accredited programs who are admitted into the certificate program.

Current Lewis & Clark degree-seeking students are eligible to take individual certificate courses as electives. They should consult with their advisors prior to registration. The Marriage, Couple, and Family Therapy program offers a Ecotherapies Specialization.

Depending on what program you are in, you may be able to take ecotherapies courses as an elective toward your degree requirements. Students should discuss this option with their advisors early in their program.

Practical outcomes of the certificate include demonstration of innovative applications of counseling theory and practice that promote health and wellness, social and environmental justice, and, ultimately, environmental sustainability. A consensus on competencies in this area is emerging; the certificate will provide leadership on a national stage.

Depending on their individual certificate plans and other course of study, students can reasonably complete all Ecotherapies coursework (8 credits) in 1.5 years. Students must complete their program within 5 years of being admitted.

You can find the full course of study in the course catalog here:
Ecotherapies Program of Study

The program consists of 8 credits and is offered on-campus only. Most courses are offered on weekends. However, some topic courses may be offered one afternoon a week for four weeks.

Prospective students can take up to three credits or one semester of coursework before officially enrolling in the certificate program as a Special Student. For information about Special Status, go here; Special Student Status.

Students are encouraged to apply to the program as early as possible.

Practicing counselors, educators, and others are free to enroll in all of the certificate courses, but will not be issued the certificate credential unless they have applied for and been granted admission to the program. The credential is only issued for students who have successfully completed all courses.

 

The certificate offers coursework to give students specialized knowledge in the emerging field of ecotherapies. This may be beneficial to practicing counselors, educators, conservation professionals, and others.

Examples of future pathways for professionals who hold the Ecotherapies certificate include:

• Seeking an advanced degree in psychology or other field
• Seeking professional licensure in their specialty
• Private practice or agency work with an ecotherapies focus (with appropriate supervision)
• School counseling with an ecotherapies focus (with appropriate supervision)
• Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare (i.e., wilderness therapy; with appropriate supervision)
• Teaching Ecotherapies courses
• Community organizing / Nonprofit work
• Creative arts with an eco-therapeutic focus

 

The certificate itself does not constitute either a degree or a license to practice. There is no current professional licensure for ecopsychology or ecotherapy, though the field is likely to evolve over to adopt standards for professionals and Certificate students can help contribute to that process.