Counseling - School Counseling Option, M.S.

Major Advising Sheet (opens a new window) |

Option in School Counseling Requirements

The Option in School Counseling is a 48-unit program designed for individuals seeking advanced preparation for careers in educational settings (K-12).

The School Counseling option is designed to complement the Pupil Personnel Services Credential (PPS) curriculum and is intended to enhance preparation of public and private school counselors. The PPS credential is required of those seeking employment as counselors in the K-12 public schools.

Preparation for the School Counseling option requires knowledge of individual and group dynamics, advising practices in specialized settings, and an understanding of the developmental issues associated with students’ maturation process. It requires an appreciation of organizational dynamics and a firm foundation in counseling theory as well as acquisition of counseling skills appropriate for use with students from diverse populations and backgrounds.

Admission Requirements

In addition to the admission requirements listed in the Graduate Education Program section of this catalog, admission to the MS in Counseling option School Counseling program requires a minimum of 3.0 GPA, a statement of purpose, three letters of recommendation, professional resume or curriculum vitae, interview with program faculty, Certificate of Clearance, evidence of having met the California Basic Skills Requirement (BSR), and the recommended completion of the following prerequisite coursework or their equivalents, earning a letter grade of C or better: ERE 153 , COUN 174 or PSYCH 174 , and COUN 176 or PSYCH 66 .

Program Requirements

Students must possess a Certificate of Clearance (or valid teaching credential) before applying.

Under the direction of a graduate advisor, each student develops and submits an individually designed program within the following framework:

Core Requirements (25 units)

COUN 200 - Seminar in Counseling Techniques Units: 3
COUN 201 - Seminar in Multicultural Aspects of Counseling Units: 3
COUN 202 - Seminar in Group Counseling Units: 3
COUN 203 - Seminar in Assessment in Counseling Units: 3
COUN 206 - Counseling Through the Lifespan Units: 3
COUN 208 - Practicum in Counseling Units: 4
COUN 220 - Seminar in Career Development Theory Units: 3
ERE 220 - Research in Education Units: 3

School Counseling Option (16 units)

COUN 240 - Seminar in Counseling of Exceptional Children and Their Parents Units: 3
COUN 241 - Seminar in Organization of Counseling Services Units: 3
COUN 242S - Seminar on Parent Education, Pupil Advocacy, and Consulting Units: 3
COUN 249 - Field Practice in School Counseling Units: 4-8
CI 285 - Seminar in Advanced Educational Psychology Units: 3
OR
ERE 288 - Educational Measurement and Program Evaluation Units: 3

Culminating Experience (7 units)

Choose between:

Comprehensive exam Units: 0 units plus 7 units of electives
COUN 298 - Project Units: 3-4 plus 4 units of electives
COUN 299 - Thesis Units: 3-4 plus 4 units of electives

Total: 48 Units

Note: (1) Practicum must be completed with a grade of B or better. (2) During the semester that students are enrolled in COUN 208 , the Clinical Review Committee of program faculty convenes to evaluate students. The criteria for this evaluation are based on skills and qualities considered appropriate for entry-level counselors. Students may be asked to leave the program if committee recommendations are not met. Students will not be allowed to advance to candidacy until they pass the clinical review. (3) Students meet the Graduate Writing Requirement by passing the writing component of COUN 206 .