Empower
Flagship program for full-time high school educators
Program Overview
Empower is the IC3 Institute’s flagship one-year certificate program that trains full-time high school educators to become career and college counselors within their schools.
Through the program, educators develop the knowledge, tools, and global perspective needed to guide students in making informed decisions about higher education and careers.
Empower is delivered through the IC3 Institute’s Counseling Laboratory® pedagogy, combining experiential learning, global expertise, and practical implementation within school environments.
The program is offered at no cost to participating educators through philanthropic support and a global volunteer faculty network.
Who the Program Is For
Empower is designed for full-time high school educators who are either building counseling functions within their schools or already serving in counseling roles.
For practicing counselors, the program provides an opportunity to deepen knowledge, strengthen counseling competencies, and engage with a diverse global peer network of educators and counseling professionals. Participants benefit from learning alongside peers with varied experiences, school contexts, and roles across the world.
Key Learning Outcomes
Participants in Empower will:
• Implement career and college counseling practices using the Counseling Laboratory®
• Develop expertise in global higher education systems and career pathways
• Gain tools to guide students in identifying strengths, interests, and future opportunities
• Establish or strengthen counseling structures within their schools
• Become part of a global IC3 community of educators and counselors
Program Format
The Empower program runs over one year and includes:
Four Residential Weeks
One-week residential learning experiences are hosted at partner universities in India, and held approximately once each quarter.
Virtual Learning
Regular online sessions, webinars, and project work throughout the year.
Participants collaborate with peers and volunteer faculty from universities, schools, and industry across the world.
Important Participation Requirements
Applicants from India
Participants are required to attend all four residential weeks in person at partner host universities in India.
Applicants outside India
Participants may attend the residential weeks virtually via live stream. They are welcome and encouraged to attend in person, but this is not mandatory.
All participants are expected to actively engage in the full one-year program and maintain an active IC3 Institute membership
- Ensure that you hold an active IC3 Institute Membership
- Submit the Empower program application through the membership portal
- Obtain school approval for participation and for establishing a counseling function in the school
How to Apply
Applications to Empower are open exclusively to IC3 Institute Members.
To apply:
A maximum of two educators per school per cohort may participate.
Tuition
The Empower program is offered at no cost to participants.
The program’s cost is supported through philanthropic funding and the contributions of partners and volunteer faculty from universities and organizations worldwide.
Participants are responsible for travel to residential program locations. Accommodation and meals are provided by the host institution.
Global Faculty Network
Empower is delivered by a global network of volunteer faculty, including:
• Experienced high school counselors and school leaders
• University admissions and faculty representatives
• Experts from education organizations, government, and industry
To apply for the program, become a member of the IC3 Institute
Membership is the gateway to accessing all IC3 Institute programs, including Empower.