Jul 01, 2025  
General Catalog 2025-2026 
    
General Catalog 2025-2026

Counseling - School Counseling Option, M.S.


The Department of Counselor Education and Rehabilitation  

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 the preparation of public and private school counselors. The PPS credential is required of those seeking employment as counselors in 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 the 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 in School Counseling program requires a minimum of 3.0 GPA, a statement of purpose, two letters of recommendation, a professional resume, potential interview with program faculty, Certificate of Clearance (or valid teaching credential), evidence of having met the California Basic Skills Requirement (BSR), and the recommended completion of the following prerequisite course or its equivalent, earning a letter grade of C or better: ERE 153 .

Program Requirements


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

Total: 48 Units


Advising Notes:

  1. Students in the School Counseling option will enroll in COUN 248  for their Practicum requirement, and the course must be completed with a grade of B or better. 
  2. During the semester that students are enrolled in COUN 248 , 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 .
  4. Candidates for the Pupil Personnel Services Credential in School Counseling who have been approved by the Program Faculty Review Committee for admission to the program and who want to be recommended for the credential must complete additional program requirements, including an additional 4 units of COUN 249  on top of what is required for the MS in Counseling (School Counseling option) degree.