How to Apply
Step 1: Gather the following materials
- A typed letter of application (500-word maximum) address the following:
- What is your primary interest for wishing to enroll in the Guardianship Certificate Program?
- In what ways do you already have experience in working with persons of diminished capacity?
- What are your goals and expectations of the program personally and professionally?
- Have you applied to the CPG Board to become a CPG? If so, please list your temporary CPG # in the letter. If you have already been provisionally certified (pending completion of this program), please include a copy of your Conditional Certification letter.
- If you are currently a consultant in the Office of Public Guardianship OPG program, please state this fact in the letter.
- A resume listing education and applicable experience
Step 2: Apply
Apply online, or submit an application packet that includes:
- An application form (PDF)
- The materials listed in step 1
- $50 nonrefundable application fee
Application Deadline
We’re currently accepting applications and will be reviewing them in the order they’re received. We’ll accept applications until the program closes.
About the Application Process
We’ll contact you within two weeks of receiving your application materials to let you know if you’ve been accepted to the program.
If you’re accepted, we’ll send you details about your first-term course, including information on paying your course fee. Your course fee is due four weeks before the first class.
Related Resources
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must meet one of the following sets of requirements:
- Have a master’s degree, J.D., Ph.D. or equivalent advanced degree from an accredited institution and at least one year of experience working in a discipline pertinent to the provision of guardianship services. Your experience must include decision making or the use of independent judgment for the benefit of others in at least one of the following areas: law, finance, social service or health care.
- Have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, and two years of experience working in a discipline pertinent to the provision of guardianship services. Experience must include decision making or the use of independent judgment for the benefit of others in at least one of the following areas: law, finance, social service or health care.
- Have an associate of arts degree from an accredited institution and four years of experience working in a discipline pertinent to the provision of guardianship services. Experience must include decision making or the use of independent judgment for the benefit of others in at least one of the following areas: law, finance, social service or health care.
- Be a Certified Professional Guardian (CPG) who is applying to the program as a requirement to be a consultant for the Office of Public Guardianship.
Relevant supervised volunteer work can meet the experience requirement, but providing services for a family member does not. Exceptions can occasionally be made to the experience requirement. Please contact us to discuss your experience.
Note: If your intention is to become a Certified Professional Guardian (CPG) with the state of Washington, we suggest (but do not require) that you apply to the Washington State Supreme Court CPG Board. If you’re eligible, they will grant you conditional approval pending successful completion of our certificate program.
If applications exceed capacity, applicants who have applied to become a CPG and have a provisional CPG license number, or who are an Office of Public Guardianship consultant, will be given priority.
English Proficiency
If you're not a native English speaker, you’ll need to have at least basic English language skills to enroll. To learn more, see English Language Proficiency Requirements.
International Students
To enroll, international students must have a visa that permits study in the United States. This program does not enable students to obtain or maintain F-1 visa status. For more information, see Admission Requirements for International Students.
TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENTS
Students must have a computer with broadband Internet access, Adobe Flash and audio capability. Students must be able to edit Microsoft Word and Excel documents and have Adobe Reader or the equivalent program installed to read and manipulate PDF documents. Students will also need to send an occasional fax.
Earning the Certificate
You earn the certificate by regularly attending class and successfully completing all required courses. For more information, see Completing Your Program.