State Authorization & Licensure Disclosures

While only 128 semester credits are required for graduation at GU, additional coursework is offered to reach the 150 credit hours requirement for CPA licensure. Additional requirements such as examinations, etc. may apply. Please contact the state licensing board for more information.

The Community Language and Culture major does not automatically include certification. Candidates must also be enrolled in our Elementary or Secondary Certification program.

The Kinesiology - Health and Physical Education major does not automatically include certification. Candidates must also be enrolled in our Elementary or Secondary Certification program.

The Music Education major does not automatically include certification. Candidates must also be enrolled in our Elementary or Secondary Certification program.

The Special Education major does not automatically include certification. Candidates must also be enrolled in our Elementary or Secondary Certification program.

Gonzaga University’s Ed.S. program in School Psychology is accredited by the Washington State Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB), and by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP).

Graduates from the Ed.S. program in school psychology meet criteria for the Educational Staff Associate (ESA) certificate in Washington state, which is required for school psychology practice in P-12 settings in the state. Furthermore, as NASP-accredited program, graduates also meet criteria for the National Certification in School Psychology (NCSP). In addition to coursework requirements, students must successfully complete a 1200-hour internship and pass the PRAXIS exam in school psychology to successfully complete the program and become eligible to apply for the NCSP.

The NCSP was developed to create a nationally recognized standard for credentialing school psychologists but was not intended to usurp the authority of individual state agencies. Therefore, some states may have additional requirements and steps as part of their certification processes. However, individuals who meet requirements for the NCSP generally meet or exceed the graduate preparation requirements for initial credentialing in ALL states with few exceptions. A list of states that recognize the NCSP for credentialing purposes can be found at: https://www.nasponline.org/standards-and-certification/national-certification/why-become-an-ncsp.

States below recognize or accept the NCSP as evidence of meeting criteria for the state school psychology credential:

• Oregon
• Montana
• Utah
• Arizona
• North Dakota
• South Dakota
• Nebraska
• Colorado
• New Mexico
• Texas
• Oklahoma
• Minnesota
• Iowa
• Indiana
• Kentucky
• Alabama
• Florida
• South Carolina
• North Carolina
• Virginia
• Maryland
• Delaware
• Pennsylvania
• New Jersey
• Massachusetts
• Vermont
• Hawaii

Gonzaga University's Clinical Mental Health and Marriage and Family Counseling programs are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP). For more information about this accreditation and why students should choose a CACREP-accredited program, please use this link: CACREP for Students

Gonzaga University's graduate training programs are designed to meet the educational requirements for licensure for professional counselors in Washington. However, Gonzaga University has determined that these programs do not meet the criteria for direct transfer of practice to all states or territories outside of Washington. If you intend to seek licensure outside of Washington after finishing your program, use the following link to find information on the state in which you intend to be licensed in order to identify whether Gonzaga University’s programs meet or does not meet the educational requirements for licensure: Counselor Licensure Requirements

Students interested in practicing out-of-state should review the licensure requirements for their desired state and consult with their program advisor to understand and fulfill any additional requirements. For more information, please contact Dr. Rob McKinney at mckinneyr@gonzaga.edu for the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program or Dr. Mark Young at young@gonzaga.edu for the Marriage and Family Counseling Program.

Gonzaga University's Clinical Mental Health and Marriage and Family Counseling programs are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP). For more information about this accreditation and why students should choose a CACREP-accredited program, please use this link: CACREP for Students

Gonzaga University's graduate training programs are designed to meet the educational requirements for licensure for professional counselors in Washington. However, Gonzaga University has determined that these programs do not meet the criteria for direct transfer of practice to all states or territories outside of Washington. If you intend to seek licensure outside of Washington after finishing your program, use the following link to find information on the state in which you intend to be licensed in order to identify whether Gonzaga University’s programs meet or does not meet the educational requirements for licensure: Counselor Licensure Requirements

Students interested in practicing out-of-state should review the licensure requirements for their desired state and consult with their program advisor to understand and fulfill any additional requirements. For more information, please contact Dr. Rob McKinney at mckinneyr@gonzaga.edu for the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program or Dr. Mark Young at young@gonzaga.edu for the Marriage and Family Counseling Program.

Students interested in practicing in this state should consult Dr. Hannah Brinser at brinser@gonzaga.edu to learn more.

The Gonzaga University Education programs prepare students for licensure in the state of WA. Once licensure in WA is obtained, graduates can then transfer their license to another state and in most cases, due to reciprocity agreements, be eligible for a temporary certificate that will give them 1-3 years to meet that specific state’s certification requirements. Please review the licensure requirements in other states or territories.

The Gonzaga University Education programs prepare students for licensure in the state of WA. Once licensure in WA is obtained, graduates can then transfer their license to another state and in most cases, due to reciprocity agreements, be eligible for a temporary certificate that will give them 1-3 years to meet that specific state’s certification requirements. Please review the licensure requirements in other states or territories.

Gonzaga University’s Psy.D. program in School Psychology is accredited by the Washington State Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB). The program is currently in the process of applying for accreditation with the American Psychological Association (APA), and is scheduled for a site visit in the Fall of 2026.

Graduates from the Psy.D. program in school psychology meet criteria for the Educational Staff Associate (ESA) certificate in Washington state, which is required for school psychology practice in P-12 settings in the state. Furthermore, graduates meet criteria and may apply for the National Certification in School Psychology (NCSP). In addition to coursework requirements, students must successfully complete a 1500-hour internship, pass the PRAXIS exam in school psychology, and successfully complete the dissertation process to complete the program and become eligible to apply for the NCSP.

The NCSP was developed to create a nationally recognized standard for credentialing school psychologists but was not intended to usurp the authority of individual state agencies. Therefore, some states may have additional requirements and steps as part of their certification processes. However, individuals who meet requirements for the NCSP generally meet or exceed the graduate preparation requirements for initial credentialing in ALL states with few exceptions. For a list of states that recognize or accept the NCSP as evidence of meeting criteria for the state school psychology credential, see the Ed.S. in School Psychology section.

In addition to state certification in school psychology (for practice within P-12 schools), the Psy.D. program is also designed to meet all educational requirements for licensure as a psychologist within Washington state, which allows individuals to practice psychology outside of school settings and on an independent basis. While coursework in the Psy.D. program satisfies all educational requirements for licensure in Washington state, graduates must complete additional steps in order to obtain licensure as a psychologist in any state, including Washington. These steps include receiving post-doctoral supervision hours (at least 1500 hours required in Washington state), passing the EPPP exam, and any state-specific jurisprudence exams. State licensing requirements can be found at the Washington Department of Health website. Criteria for licensure as a psychologist varies greatly from state to state. While the educational requirements for the Psy.D. program are aligned with APA requirements, and will satisfy the educational requirements for most states, state requirements will vary with respect to the number of required supervised hours, and requirements for internship. For this reason, students should seek guidance from their advisor or program director when pursuing licensure outside of Washington state.

Gonzaga University's undergraduate teacher certification programs are not degree programs. Undergraduate teacher candidates pick a major and then add teacher certification to their major. The Gonzaga University Education programs prepare students for licensure in the state of WA. Once licensure in WA is obtained, graduates can then transfer their license to another state and in most cases, due to reciprocity agreements, be eligible for a temporary certificate that will give them 1-3 years to meet that specific state's certification requirements. Please review the licensure requirements in other states or territories.

Gonzaga University's undergraduate teacher certification programs are not degree programs. Undergraduate teacher candidates pick a major and then add teacher certification to their major. The Gonzaga University Education programs prepare students for licensure in the state of WA. Once licensure in WA is obtained, graduates can then transfer their license to another state and in most cases, due to reciprocity agreements, be eligible for a temporary certificate that will give them 1-3 years to meet that specific state’s certification requirements. Please review the licensure requirements in other states or territories.