Marriage, Family, and Child Counseling, M.S.

The Department of Counselor Education and Rehabilitation

Program Overview

The Master of Science in Marriage, Family, and Child Counseling is a 60-unit professional degree program designed for persons who desire to practice in the field of counseling. The degree may qualify graduates for employment in private or agency counseling practices, county mental health programs, employee assistance programs, drug and alcohol abuse centers, and hospital mental health settings. Completion of the M.S. in Marriage, Family, and Child Counseling fulfills the educational requirements for the state of California Marriage and Family Therapist License.

Students seeking licensure should contact their program advisor for information regarding licensing. This degree program is designed to meet the requirements of Division 2, Chapter 13, Section 4980.37 of the California Business and Professions Code. The MFCC degree is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Students are qualified to take the National Counselor Exam upon graduation, which is used in the professional counselor licensing process in several states and leads to the National Certified Counselor Credential.

On October 11, 2009, the State of California approved a new mental health counseling license by adopting SB 788: Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), which was sponsored by the American Counseling Association (ACA). It has been approved and signed into law by the Governor. At this time, all coursework required for the LPCC license is offered by the Counselor Education Program. Special advising is required to determine exact coursework and sequencing. This special advising coordinates acquisition of LPCC courses while a student is pursing one of the specific counseling degrees offered by the department.

Coursework required to meet the educational requirements for licensure as a Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) includes: ERE 220 , COUN 174 , COUN 200 , COUN 201 , COUN 202 , COUN 203 , COUN 206 , COUN 208 , COUN 220 , COUN 231 , COUN 232 , COUN 233 , COUN 234A , COUN 234B , COUN 234E , COUN 235 , COUN 238 , COUN 239 , COUN 270 , COUN 271 , COUN 272 , and COUN 273 .

Admission Requirements

In addition to the admission requirements listed in the Graduate Education Program section of this catalog, admission to the MS in Marriage, Family and Child Counseling program requires a minimum 3.0 GPA, a statement of purpose, three letters of recommendation, professional resume or curriculum vitae, and the recommended completion of the following prerequisite coursework or their equivalents, earning a grade of C or better: ERE 153 , COUN 174 or PSYCH 174 , and either COUN 176 or PSYCH 66 .

Program Requirements

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

Marriage, Family, and Child Counseling Option (31 units)

COUN 230 - Seminar in Family Therapy Theories Units: 3
COUN 231 - Seminar in Ethics and Professional Practices of Counseling Units: 3
COUN 232 - Psychopathology and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Units: 3
COUN 233 - Seminar in Therapeutic Methods with Children, Adolescents, and Their Families Units: 3
COUN 234A - Contemporary Issues in Counseling: Sexuality in Human Relationships Units: 1
COUN 234B - Contemporary Issues in Counseling: Violence in Intimate Relationships Units: 1
COUN 234C - Contemporary Issues in Counseling: Substance Abuse Treatment Units: 1
COUN 234D - Psychopharmacology Units: 2
COUN 234E - Seminar in Consultation Units: 1
COUN 235 - Couples Therapy Units: 3
COUN 238 - Advanced Practicum Units: 4
COUN 239 - Field Placement in Counseling Units: 3-12 (for 6 units)

Culminating Experience (4 units)

Choose between:

(a) 4 units of electives plus comprehensive exam, or

(b) COUN 298 - Project [3 units] plus 1 unit of elective, or

Total: 60 Units

Advising Notes:

COUN 200 must be completed with a B or better
Practicum coursework (COUN 208 and COUN 238 ) must be completed with a grade of B or better.
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.
Students meet the Graduate Writing Requirement by passing the writing component of COUN 206 . Please refer to the specific counseling program’s Student Handbook for additional information regarding the Graduate Writing Requirement and appeals process.
In compliance with Federal Requirements for Posting Licensure and Certification Eligibility, please see the CSU Chancellor’s Office calstate.edu website.