Learning Outcomes

Aligned with the School of Education’s Conceptual Framework, Mission Statement, and Goals, and the Department of Educational Support Services candidate goals, the Counseling Program’s goals are to prepare candidates that:

• Respond positively to issues of diversity:
• Educate to help insure the success of all;
• Advocate for all pupils to have access to counseling services; and,
• Lead and work collaboratively to help transform programs, practices, and institutions.

Master of Arts in School Counseling

A candidate will obtain the Master of Arts in School Counseling degree along with the School Counseling Credential through the combined degree/credential program. Candidates who already possess a Master’s degree may pursue a PPS credential only.

The program leading to the School Counseling credential is approved by the State of California Commission on Teacher Credentialing and the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education.

Admission Requirements

The items listed below should be submitted directly to the School of Education Office of the Dean, unless otherwise noted:

1. Completion of the Graduate Division application form, submitted directly to the Graduate Admissions Office.
2. Two official copies of transcripts from all colleges/universities attended, sent directly to the Graduate Admissions Office.
3. Cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.8; or a 2.85 GPA in the last 60 semester hours of undergraduate course work taken or a 3.0 GPA in at least 9 semester hours of graduate level coursework is required. An appeal may be made to the Exceptions Committee.
4. A letter of application (intent) to the Academic Program Director in which the following issues are addressed:
   
   1. Why the applicant wants to be a counselor;
   2. characteristics the applicant possesses that he or she thinks will make him/her an effective counselor;
   3. the applicant’s commitment towards preparing himself/herself to be an effective counselor (e.g., devote the required time to an internship; become active in related professional organizations); and
   4. a summary of experience with culturally diverse individuals.
5. Two letters of recommendation. Forms may be attained in the School of Education and online.
6. Interview and approval by Academic Program Director.
7. After steps 1-6 above have been completed, the candidate’s file will be reviewed for provisional or controlled admission. Under these designations, candidates are able to enroll in their first semester of coursework.
8. Completion of the CBEST no later than the end of the first semester of enrollment and before fieldwork assignment. The CBEST is not required for those students pursuing the Master degree without the PPS credential. Intern candidates must pass CBEST prior to beginning the internship program.
9. Fingerprint Clearance: Completion of fingerprint clearance must occur no later than the end of the first semester of enrollment and before fieldwork assignment. Fingerprint applications are available on the School  of Education website.
10. Signed Candidate Disposition Forms from two faculty members in the School of Education with whom the candidate has had courses are required before a candidate is granted Formal Admission.
11. All entering candidates should first enroll in EDSS 6391 Foundations of Counseling . Candidates will be reviewed for formal acceptance upon completion of this course and steps 1-10 above.
12. Basic Computer Skills: All applicants must verify that they have basic computer skills that are necessary for success in the School of Education. Applicants may either verify their skills by signing a self-verification form provided by the School of Education or take EDUX 846, Basic Computer Skills of Educators, during their first year.
13. Prior to beginning fieldwork, candidates must verify 100 clock hours in a “practica” experience (e.g., shadowing a counselor, observing classroom instruction, attending school-based meetings, peer counseling, personal or group counseling experiences). Eighty of these hours are accumulated in the required course work.

Course Requirements

• EDSS 6391 Foundations of Counseling 3 semester hours
• EDSS 6362 Cnslng Theor & Technq 3 semester hours
• EDSS 6394 Helping Skills 3 semester hours
• EDSS 6382 Ethical & Legal Issues 3 semester hours
• EDSS 6390 Lifespan Development 3 semester hours
• EDSS 6365 Rsrch Methodology & Stats 3 semester hours
• EDSS 6393 Assess, Appraisal, Diagnosis 3 semester hours
• EDSS 6368 Career Cnslng & Educ Planning 3 semester hours
• EDSS 6376 Crisis Coun, Prevtn, Intervnt 3 semester hours
• EDSS 6377 Multicultural Counseling 3 semester hours
• EDSS 6378 Group Counseling 3 semester hours
• EDSS 6379 Emo/Behav Disords: Apprais/Res 3 semester hours
• EDSS 6392 Psychopharmacology 2 TO 3 semester hours
• EDSS 6386 Prctcm Cultrly Respsnv Cnslng 3 semester hours
• EDSS 6995 Comp Exam: 0 semester hours and Professional Portfolio Review