The American Academy of Grief Counseling

"Dedicated to Continued Learning, Growth, and Achievement in Health Care Practice"

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The American Academy of Grief Counseling offers comprehensive, quality, Certification and Fellowship programs for qualified professionals including, physicians, nurses, counselors, social workers, funeral directors, clergy and other professional providers practicing the specialty of Grief Counseling. The AAGC offers a two-tier program beginning with Certification of Grief Counselors with advancement to Fellowship status in the Academy.

The objectives of the AAGC are:

• Provide high quality programs of Certification and Fellowship for professionals practicing grief/bereavement counseling.

• Develop and support high standards of education and practice requirements for the attainment of certification, fellowship status, and recertification.

• Provide a mechanism for the ongoing involvement of a peer advisory board of qualified professionals to oversee program development and requirements for certification and fellowship in the AAGC.

• Provide society with a mechanism to ascertain the appropriate education, skills, knowledge and experience required by professionals who offer such services.

• Establish quality standards and requirements for the recertification and re-fellowship of its credentialed members, attesting to ongoing education and skill attainment in the practice specialty of grief/bereavement counseling.

• Provide a comprehensive program of approvals for continuing education, seminars, offerings, independent study, and other related educational activities, to ensure high quality standards are met and that such programs are of value to professionals practicing grief and bereavement counseling.

Certification

Certified Grief Counselor - requires attainment and/or verification of one of the following certification criteria:

1. Completion of an official, established education program to prepare health care professionals for the practice of Grief Counseling/ Bereavement Therapy. Educational programs must have provided a minimum of 180 hours of lecture/study. Candidates for certification must present valid evidence of successful completion of such program. The AAGC review board will review and approve programs on an individual basis. Once a program is approved, it will be published as "approved" by the AAGC. Programs submitted for approval consideration must have their curriculums specifically based in grief counseling and bereavement therapy theory/practice. To view approved programs and courses, click here. Candidates whose can demonstrate evidence of successful completion of such programs within a five (5) year period prior to the date of application for certification, are eligible to receive certification as a Grief Counselor. Such programs may include university and college based courses, continuing education seminars, retreats, self-study and distance learning programs, etc.
2. Certification by attainment of University /College degree and Continuing Education Hours. - this option allows those applicants who have attained one of the following:

• A degree in Counseling and current licensure
• A degree in Human Services/Social Services
• A degree in Psychology/Human Behavior
• A Licensed Funeral Director
• A Registered Nurse
• A Pastoral Counselor in Active Ministry
• A Licensed/Ordained Minister in active ministry

to attain certification as a Certified Grief Counselor, with the addition of evidence of 100 hours of study in a formal program or courses in grief counseling/bereavement therapy. Candidates whose can demonstrate evidence of successful completion of such programs within a five (5) year period prior to the date of application for certification, are eligible to receive certification as a Grief Counselor. Such programs may include university and college based courses, continuing education seminars, retreats, self-study and distance learning programs, etc. The American Academy of Grief Counseling offers online CEU courses to meet this 100 hour of continuing education credit requirement. Access here for information.

1. Certification by validation of Funeral Director License or Clergy - this option allows licensed funeral directors and licensed clergy to obtain certification in Grief Counseling by demonstrating attainment of a minimum of 100 hours of education, lecture, study in Grief Counseling/Bereavement Therapy. Education hours must be obtained in a formal program or by completion of formal courses in grief counseling/bereavement therapy. Candidates who can demonstrate evidence of successful completion of such programs within a five (5) year period prior to the date of application for certification, are eligible to receive certification as a Grief Counselor. Such programs may include university and college based courses, continuing education seminars, retreats, self-study and distance learning programs, etc. The American Academy of Grief Counseling offers online CEU courses to meet this 100 hour of continuing education credit requirement. Access here for information.

Certification - Identification & Credentials

Those applicants who become certified by the AAGC- shall be deemed "certified" and may use the initials/credential GC-C, after their names:

"Certified Grief Counselor"

Timeline

All certifications shall be for a period of 3 years from the date that the initial certification by the AAGC is granted.

Recertification

Certified members may receive recertification at the expiration of their three year term by one of the following means:

• Obtaining 50 or more hours of continuing education within the three year period of certification . Click here: Criteria for Recertification

• Have successfully advanced to Fellowship Status in the AAGC prior to the expiration of their current certification. Once a certified member achieves Fellowship in the AAGC, they are required only to reapply for Fellowship status, and continue to maintain their Certification along with their Fellowship.

Certificate

Those applicants who have successfully achieved certification, or recertification by the AACM will receive a large size official Certificate attesting to certification, as well as an official letter of notification. The certificate is suitable for framing and details the official professional certification title, initials that may be used, and time frames for certification. Those recertifying receive a new, updated certificate.

Standards & Code of Ethics

The Code of Ethics for Certified Grief Counselors and Fellows of the American Academy of Grief Counseling may be viewed online by clicking here. The Code of Ethics is approved by the Governing Board and the Advisory Board of the American Academy of Grief Counseling.

Fee Schedule

• The certification fee for Grief Counselors is $ 150.00 for the three year term of certification. Payment in full is due at the time of application. If the candidate’s application is denied, the applicant will be reimbursed the $ 150.00, minus a $ 30.00 processing fee. A completed application must be mailed in to the AAGC with full payment to be considered for certification. Application is available on this website.

• Application for Recertification is $ 150.00 for the next three year period. This is a one time payment and is required in full at the time of application for recertification. A completed application must accompany the payment.

• Major credit cards are accepted. Check and money orders are to be payable to : The American Institute of Healthcare Professionals.

Achieving Fellowship Status

The AAGC provides for a Fellowship status for Certified Grief Counselors. Fellowship is granted following the successful completion of all requirements as defined by the AAGC. Fellowship status is considered the highest form of professional recognition by a certification body, and attests to the Fellow’s ongoing commitment, knowledge attainment, skill, and practice experience in the field of professional Grief Counseling. Those who achieve Fellowship status are deemed a "Fellow in the American Academy of Grief Counseling ", and may use the initials, FAAGC. Fellows may also continue to use the initials GC-C as they maintain their initial certification along with their Fellowship.

Access link for more information.

Requirements for Advancement to Fellowship

• Requires a minimum of three years in certification as a Certified Grief Counselor.

• Applicants for Fellowship shall be required to successfully complete one of the following requirements:

• Completion of a Project in Grief Counseling/Bereavement Therapy- this may include preparing actual cases for formal presentation in written format, according to project guidelines. Other types of projects may well be considered by the AAGC. Criteria for completion of the project will be available in the Fellowship Handbook as published by the AAGC in the year 2001.Those who elect the project option must submit a formal proposal and have the proposal approved by the AAGC.

• Completion of a Thesis in Grief Counseling/Bereavement Therapy- submission of a formal paper (thesis) according to guidelines approved by the advisory board. Criteria for completion of the thesis will be available in the Fellowship Handbook as published by the AAGC in the year 2001. Those who elect the thesis option must submit a formal proposal and have the proposal approved by the AAGC. Applications are made at the time the candidate is ready to submit their thesis, or evidence of the required continuing education hours. Applications are available by request only to the administrative office of the Academy. Applications are only sent to those who are currently certified by the Academy.

• Following submission and approval of the completed thesis, candidates are sent a written examination to complete, based on their thesis. Candidates have a time limit in which to complete the written examination and turn it in to the Academy.

• Evidence of attainment of over 250 hours of continuing education in Grief Counseling, Bereavement Therapy, over a 5 year period from the date of application for Fellowship. Hours of education used for initial certification as a certified grief counselor are not eligible for use in the 500 hour requirement for Fellowship. The American Academy of Grief Counseling reserves the right to approve each of the submitted evidence of educational offerings.

Timeline

Those applicants to Fellowship shall have three years from the date of application for Fellowship to submit their completed project, thesis, or evidence of continuing education hours. If the applicant does not produce such, they will be required to reapply for consideration of advancement to Fellow. Certified Grief Counselors must maintain their certification status with the AAGC while advancing to Fellowship status.

Fellowship Designation

Those certified applicants who successfully complete the Fellowship requirements shall be designated:

"Fellow in the American Academy of Grief Counselors"

And may use the initials : FAAGC

Timeline & Fee Schedules

Fellowship shall be for a 5 year period. Re-application is through evidence of continued education in Grief Counseling. Once a candidate for Fellowship is granted Fellow in the AAGC, they will pay a $ 250.00 fee for the 5 year Fellowship period. If the candidate has time left in certification (3 year period), then, the AAGC will prorate this toward their Fellowship fee.

For candidates submitting a project or thesis, there is a one-time fee required of $ 150.00 for peer reviews and processing. This payment is due at the time of submission of the project or thesis.

Reapplication Requirement

Reapplication for continued status as a Fellow requires 150 hours of continuing education over a 5 year period.

Review of Fellowships Projects - Thesis

The AAGC shall contract with two Certified Grief Counselors to review and grade all projects and papers and make recommendations for advancement to Fellow status. As such, applicants will pay a fee for application for project approval. Once the AAGC has granted a sufficient number of Fellowships, then the AAGC will contract with Grief Counselor Fellows to review and grade projects and thesis.

Education Programs for Certification & Fellowship

Applicants may obtain education hours by completion of any type of formal program in Grief Counseling/Bereavement Therapy. Such programs include:

• University/College Programs and Courses
• Continuing Education Courses
• Seminars
• Distance Learning Programs
• Self-Study Programs
• Courses offered by Professional Associations

The American College of Grief Counseling reserves the right to approve all such courses for consideration toward certification or fellowship. For any courses to be considered, applicants must submit copies of all certificates of completion or transcripts verifying completion. Applicants who are using their degrees to meet partial fulfillment of the education requirements for certification must have official transcripts submitted from their University or College, directly to the American Academy of Grief Counseling.

Certified Grief Counselors who are applying for Fellowship may use university/college degrees in Social Work, Counseling and Psychology, only if the degree is obtained after becoming certified as a Grief Counselor by the Academy. For conversion purposes, 1 semester hour of university/college credit is equal to 15 contact hours of education.

Applications are only accepted at the time that the candidate is ready to submit evidence of the appropriate continuing education hours achieved.

The American Academy of Grief Counseling maintains a list of approved courses for advancement to fellowship. This list is updated on a regular basis.

If a certified member desires to take a course, seminar or other type of continuing education program that will apply to their needed hours for fellowship status, then they must request and complete an education approval form. There is no charge to submit a request for an approval of hours toward fellowship.

The completed approval form must be submitted to the administrative office of the Academy. If the request is approved, the form is officially signed as approved and returned to the certified member. They will then remit the completed approval form, along with the evidence of course or program completion, at the time of fellowship application.

Courses that are not posted on the website, or do not have a prior approval, may not be accepted at the time of application to fellowship. Only courses directly related to the practice specialty of grief counseling are generally approved by the Academy.

At the time of application, the candidate must submit the completed Fellowship application form, and submit evidence of completed education for a minimum of 250 contact hours. Original certificates, transcripts, or other documents must be submitted. Once reviewed, these originals are returned to the candidate.

Once the entire application has been reviewed and approved, the candidate is advanced to Fellowship in the Academy.

Click here to view education programs that are approved by the AAGC

Click here to request more information

Pastoral Thanatology Certification

The American Academy of Grief Counseling also offers a comprehensive program for "Pastoral Thanatology" Certification. Access information.

Online Application

Click here for the online application. Please print application and submit to:

The American Academy of Grief Counseling
2400 Niles-Cortland Rd. S.E. Suite # 3
Warren, Ohio 44484
Phone: 330-652-7776
Fax: 330-652-7575