Please note: Registration has closed for all winter/spring 2023 professional development courses due to reaching maximum capacity for all offerings. We thank you for your interest in these courses and encourage you to keep an eye out for fall opportunities, which will be announced later this year. If you have further questions, please contact Kiersten Nolan, strategy assistant for high school innovation.

College and Career Advising Mini-courses are a new training format MCAN began offering in Fall 2022. Each course allows participants to join a group of peers for online discussions, see best practices in action, gain knowledge, and access and create resources to incorporate immediately. The mini-courses were designed by college access experts from across the country and will directly guide participants on how to support more students on the path to postsecondary education, especially low-income, first-generation college-going students and students of color.

Each mini-course will be five weeks long with a one-hour virtual meeting every week. Each class is made up of four sessions culminating in a final action plan. We estimate that the workload for these courses is around four hours per week, which is reflected in the awarding of SCECHs. Individual course details, including topic and SCECHS, are included below.

MCAN is offering these mini-courses in partnership with Education Forward Arizona and Go Alliance. Each mini-course will be facilitated by a Michigan school counselor.


State Continuing Education Clock Hours (SCECHs)

For Winter/Spring 2023 mini-courses, we anticipate offering 20 SCECHs per course in college prep and selection, or career exploration. The maximum amount of SCECHs will be awarded to individuals who complete the entire course, including participation in all live virtual sessions. Reduced SCECHs for partial completion will not be awarded.


Registration and Course Cost

This course is open to all school counselors, college and career advisers, and educators. However, a limited number of seats are available and priority consideration will be granted to school counselors. Remaining seats will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Registrants who secure a seat will be awarded a $250 scholarship to access the course at no cost.


WINTER/SPRING 2023 COURSE OFFERINGS


FAFSA II: Financial Aid Programs
Jan. 9-Feb. 12
Virtual meeting dates and times: TBD
Anticipated 20 SCECHs in college preparation and selection

  • Week 1: Federal Student Aid Programs
  • Week 2: Additional Aid Opportunities for Students in Special Circumstances
  • Week 3: Understanding Loan Options
  • Week 4: Loans: The Borrowing Process
  • Week 5: Final Action Plan

View syllabus →


FAFSA IV: Comparing Financial Aid Offers and Making Appeals
Jan. 9-Feb. 12
Virtual meeting dates and times: TBD
Anticipated 20 SCECHs in college preparation and selection

  • Week 1: After the FAFSA: Next Steps
  • Week 2: Comparing Financial Aid Offers
  • Week 3: Professional Judgement and Financial Aid Appeals
  • Week 4: The FAFSA Completion Initiative
  • Week 5: Final Action Plan

View syllabus →


College and Career Advising in the Middle Grades
Feb. 13-March 19
Virtual meeting dates and times: TBD
Anticipated 10 SCECHs in college preparation and selection and 10 SCECHs in career exploration

Anticipated Topics:

  • Building a postsecondary culture in middle grades
  • Understanding the skills, mindsets and experiences needed for postsecondary success
  • Leveraging research and resources to support postsecondary awareness and planning for middle school students and families

View syllabus →


College and Career Advising for Special Population Students

March 20-April 23
Virtual meeting dates and times: TBD
Anticipated 10 SCECHs in college preparation and selection and 10 SCECHs in career exploration

  • Week 1: Understanding and Advocating for Special Populations
  • Week 2: Building Support Systems for Special Populations
  • Week 3: Helping Students Build Resilience and Self-Advocacy Skills
  • Week 4: Academic Progress and Planning
  • Week 5: Final Action Plan

View syllabus →