Credit Counseling
close up image of two people handing off a credit card with text “credit counseling” below
About the Program
Certified by the National Association of Certified Credit Counselors (NACCC), our Certified Credit Counselor program prepares students to serve individuals in need of credit counseling, bankruptcy counseling, financial coaching, and housing counseling.
In the Certified Credit Counselor program, students can earn three or four certifications in various areas of financial health. Two tracks of study are available. The first track is the foundation of the course. Students study and certify in the areas of credit counseling, financial health, and housing counselor—giving the student a total of three nationally recognized certifications. This first track takes a minimum of 6 months to complete.
The second track adds an optional fourth certification, financial and career coach. Unlike the first three, this certification requires practical hours of counseling and coaching in addition to the test. This track adds another 12 to 16 weeks to fulfill the requirements. This fourth certification requires a written recommendation from the instructor.
PREREQUISITES
• 75% comprehension when reading technical materials at 120 wpm
• Fill out forms with a keyboarding speed of at least 30 wpm
• Excellent skill using a web browser
• Excellent skill with Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook
• Ability to read and write at or above a 10th-grade level
• Ability to compose a professional email
• Completion of the Financial Literacy Fundamentals course
Potential Jobs for Graduates
Credit Counselor, Collections Specialist, Personal Financial Counselor, Account Specialist, Patient Financial Services at a hospital, Debt Settlement Specialist, Sales Representative- Certified Debt Settlement Specialist Sales, Debt Collections Specialist, Healthcare Collections Representative, Credit Assistance Specialist at a bank or credit union, Financial Counselor/Admissions at a hospital, Financial Aid Counselor, Patient Financial Counselor, Financial & Housing Counselor, Loan Services Counselor, Financial Support Counselor, Student Loan Counselor, Student Financial Aid Counselor, Student Affairs Assistant, Housing Counselor, HUD Certified Housing Counselor, Housing Program Specialist, Financial & Housing Counselor, Homebuyer Coach/Counselor·
Workforce Development Services
Workforce Development Services are offered at WSB to provide individuals with visual impairments with the tools needed to enhance and sustain their employability. Through our prevocational and vocational training programs, we provide the education and skills training to jobseekers that employers are looking to hire long term. By producing qualified workers, it helps the individual become more marketable and benefits the employer by reducing their cost of on-the-job training and improving turnover rates for their company. WSB’s focus is to provide services of employment assistance for jobseekers with visual impairments which will assist them in getting competitive integrated employment. Through job preparation and job coaching, certain tools and resources will be provided for the client to be successful in their job search, such as assistance in locating local job fairs, employment workshops, and/or participation in online or virtual job fairs.
In the first 30 days, an extensive assessment is completed in order for WSB to meet the client’s needs where they are. An extensive Interpretive Career Report will be provided to the client and their Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor on the assessment of their career interests, career training potentials, job satisfaction indicators, career exploration and career recommendations completed with the assistance of our qualified workforce staff and a Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapist. Each client’s program will be individualized based on their needs and level of employability. During the skills evaluation period, students will work on a career readiness program tailored to their personal needs in areas such as, their academic skills in areas they may need improvement, assistive technology and computer literacy, daily living skills, and orientation and mobility skills training. Each individual will learn how to complete a resume or update their current resume, interviewing skills, “dress for success” skills, participate in mock interviews, learn soft skills, independent living skills and essential workplace skills. This will assist in the client’s preparation and future choices of a Pre-Vocational or Vocational program, or their area of interest for employment.