If you are interested in becoming an Independent Educational Consultant and are enrolled in a counseling certificate program, you may be eligible for HECA’s Student Affiliate Membership.

Student Affiliate Eligibility Requirements

Education: 

Hold a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited, not-for-profit college or university.

Experience:

In the process of completing an approved practicum-based college counseling certificate program. (Eligible programs include: UCLA College Counseling Certificate, UC Irvine Independent Educational Consultant Certificate, UC Riverside College Admissions Counseling Certificate, and UC Berkeley Professional Program in College Admissions Consulting.)

Requirements for Student Affiliates to transition to Membership:

• Students may hold this affiliation with HECA for up to two years as long as enrollment in the certificate program is in progress.
• To transition to membership with HECA, students will need to apply by submitting an application and meeting all membership qualifications. 

New consultants who have not yet met eligibility requirements for Membership but who can demonstrate they are actively working to complete those requirements may apply for Provisional Membership.

Provisional Member Eligibility Requirements

Education: 

Hold a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited, not-for-profit college or university.

One Professional Reference:

HECA members are guided by core values of ethical standards, integrity, respect, and confidentiality. The recommender must fill out the reference form and be able to comment on your professionalism and commitment to these values. The recommender must have known you for at least one year and be one of the following:

• an IEC with a professional association (e.g., HECA, NACAC, a regional-ACAC) 
• a high school or college educational professional
• an instructor from an approved* certification or HECA PDI program
• a past employer

Working to Satisfy Member Requirements:

• Option A: Be enrolled or have completed an approved* practicum-based college counseling certificate program.
• Option B: Have worked with at least five students in a pro bono and/or paid capacity for at least a year.
• Option C: Have worked as a high school counselor or college admissions officer for at least a year.
• Option D: Have attended an in-person HECA Professional Development Institute.

* Approved programs include: UCLA College Counseling Certificate, UC Irvine Independent Educational Consultant Certificate, UC Riverside College Admissions Counseling Certificate, and UC Berkeley Professional Program in College Admissions Consulting.

Requirements for Provisional Members to transition to Membership

• Submit the Provisional-to-Member application form within two years.
• Attend HECA’s New Member Orientation (available virtually) within the first year of provisional membership.
• Complete at least 20 colleges visits in the two years preceding the submission of the Provisional-to-Member application (virtual information sessions + campus tours count 2-to-1).
• Commit to ongoing professional development and demonstrate attendance at workshops, college visits, and HECA webinars as a Provisional Member.
• Attend a professional college admission conference or be a current member of a professional organization such as NACAC or a Regional ACAC in the two years preceding the submission of the Provisional-to-Member application.
• Maintain respect and cooperation with fellow educational consultants.
• Exhibit professionalism, advocating for educational consulting.
• Uphold the HECA Member Standards and Ethics Statement.

Member Requirements

Education: 

Hold a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited, not-for-profit college or university.

Professional Experience:

• Option A: Have worked as an educational consultant for two years.
• Option B: Have worked as a high school counselor or college admissions officer for at least two years, and as an independent educational consultant for at least one year serving a minimum of 10 students.
• Option C: Have completed a recognized practicum-based college counseling program, directly assisting students under a professional's guidance.* 

* Approved programs include: UCLA College Counseling Certificate, UC Irvine Independent Educational Consultant Certificate, UC Riverside College Admissions Counseling Certificate, and UC Berkeley Professional Program in College Admissions Consulting.

Professional Development:

• Option A: Attended a professional college admissions conference in person within the past 2 years (for example: HECA in-person Professional Development Institute; or a HECA, NACAC, or a regional ACAC conference).
• Option B: Be a current member of a professional organization, such as NACAC or a regional ACAC, or a Professional IECA Member.
• Plus have visited at least 20 colleges in the past two years. (virtual info sessions + campus tours count 2-to-1.)

Two Professional References:

HECA members are guided by core values of ethical standards, integrity, respect, and confidentiality. Each recommender must fill out the reference form and be able to comment on your professionalism and commitment to these values. The recommender must have known you for at least one year, be able to vouch for your work with students, and be one of the following:

• an active HECA member
• a high school or college education professional (such as a college counselor, a school administrator, or a college representative)
• a past client (only one letter can be from a past client)

Expectations for new Members:

• Attend HECA’s New Member Orientation (available virtually) within the first year of membership.
• Attend at least one in-person college admission conference conference every two years (for example: HECA PDI; the annual HECA, NACAC, or a regional ACAC conference.
• Commit to ongoing professional development (conferences, workshops, college visits, and HECA webinars).
• Uphold HECA’s member Standards and Ethics Statement.