Master of Science in Counseling School Counseling Credential
The Masters in Counseling: School Counseling Credential program with the Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) option is designed to promote social justice and democracy by preparing knowledgeable and competent professional school counselors.
We promote professional excellence, community involvement, and collaboration between school counselors and other professionals in order to create learning communities where K-12 students are engaged as learners, passionate about what they do, and empowered as people. We are informed by a vision for school counselors that defines five school counselors' competencies: (1) leadership, (2) advocacy, (3) teaming and collaboration, (4) counseling and coordination, and (5) assessment and use of data.
We prepare professional school counselors to construct comprehensive, developmental, and coordinated school counseling programs based on the American School Counselor Association National Model. We promote social justice and democracy by preparing knowledgeable and competent professional school counselors who (1) foster relationships, (2) define structure, (3) build meaningful participation, and (4) commit themselves to lifelong professional development.
Relationships: Providing Care and Support.
Our program is designed to help professional school counselors foster effective human relationships grounded in respect for and celebration of diversity, in support for the learning success of all students, and in recognition that human development is a lifelong endeavor.
Structure: Defining High Expectations.
Our program is committed to social justice and high expectations for all students. School counselors are responsible for advocating that high expectations be defined in a manner that ensures opportunities for success for all students in a multicultural society.
Community: Opportunities for Meaningful Participation.
Our program is committed to meaningful participation for all students. Our school counselors collaborate with professionals within the school and with members of the community to develop learning opportunities that engage students in activities with adult mentors, service projects, and other community enterprises directed toward enhancing democratic participation.
Commitment to Lifelong Professional Development.
Our program prepares school counselors to enter the profession with a commitment to ethical practice and lifelong development.
Program and Course Structure
The M.S. in Counseling with the School Counseling Credential is a two-year full-time, 90 unit program. Courses are offered in a defined cohort sequence during fall, winter, and spring terms; cohort classes are offered during the day, evenings, and on weekends. Candidates may choose to complete the MFT option as part of their degree program.
Cohort
A "cohort" is a group of professionals who enter, move through, and graduate from the program in the same group, at the same time. Cohorts foster learning communities where professionals-in-training from both School Counseling and School Psychology take core courses together and support each other in Intervention, Consultation, Assessment, Research, and Education (I CARE).
Faculty
Faculty members in the Department of Educational Psychology are recognized in the counseling field for their professional excellence and academic achievement.
Clinical Work and Fieldwork
Professionals-in-training are prepared for clinical work with people who are struggling with both normal life and the more severe problems. We orient candidates to promote resilience and practice strengths-based interventions. In order to supplement academic training with counseling experience, fieldwork experience is required as part of the M.S. Counseling. This requirement allows students actual clinical, assessment and counseling experience under the supervision of both qualified departmental faculty and licensed and or credentialed professionals working in the field. Training, combined with actual practice in fieldwork and the Community Counseling Clinic prepares professionals-in-training for careers as school counselors and therapists.
Prerequisite Coursework Applicants must complete the following or equivalent courses prior to admission:
- Learning (3 units); PSYC 4210
- Statistics (3 units); STAT 1000
- Personality (3 units); PSYC 4610
- Abnormal Psychology (3 units); PSYC 4410
- Human, child, or adolescent development (3 units); PSYC 4420
Admission Requirements
Students interested in applying to the School Counseling program should follow the regulations pertaining to departmental admissions, including:
- Completion of the prerequisites
- The University Application (a separate application).
- The Departmental Application for Admission to the program
- Official transcripts; no specific major required; BA/BS must be completed before beginning program
- Three professional references
- A personal statement
- Either the Miller's Analogies Tests (MAT) or the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
- California Test of Basic Skills (CBEST)
Students whose completed applications are received will be contacted during spring quarter. Students are admitted into cohorts that begin during the fall quarter only.
Degree Requirements
In addition to completing the Division's required course of study, students are reviewed prior to advancement to candidacy by the program's faculty. The review involves both the student's academic progress and appropriate professional behavior. In addition to course and fieldwork, candidates develop a Professional Practice Portfolio as one source of evidence indicating professional readiness, professional service, emerging professional identity, and their reflection on the impact of school counseling services on children and in schools.
School Counseling Credential
Candidates completing the program and exam (PRAXIS II Guidance and School Counseling, 0420) requirements are recommended to the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) for a School Counselor Credential.
Marriage and Family Therapy License
The Masters in Counseling offered by the Department of Educational Psychology MFT option is designed to meet the requirements of Section 4980.37, 4980.40 and relevant subdivisions of Chapter 13 regarding Marriage and Family Therapy in Business and Professions Code of the State of California. Prospective students are advised to acquire and read the laws governing MFT licensure from the Board of Behavioral Science in Sacramento. Candidates completing the program may apply for an MFT Intern License with the California Board of Behavioral Science; after obtaining the M.S., additional internship hours and an exam are required for licensure.
The School Counseling Profession
If possible, visit and talk to professional school counselors before applying. Find out what they love about their work. CSUEB promotes ethical practice and encourages active professional participation.
