Educational Counseling (MS)

Program Length (Full-Time): 2 Years
Program Length (Full Time) for Social Justice in Higher Education Concentration: 2.5 Years
Program Length (Full Time) for Spanish Bilingual Bicultural Concentration: 2.5 Years
Program Length (Full Time) for School and Family Based Counseling Concentration: 3 Years

Note: The School and Family Based Counseling Concentration is not offered for 2024-25

The Master of Science in Educational Counseling is designed to equip future school counselors to work with students and their families within the PK-12 school system. This program helps candidates learn the skills to support children in achieving their personal and academic goals. Through a comprehensive curriculum, candidates learn the foundations of school counseling, counseling theory and process, counseling diverse populations, group dynamics, career and program development, and evaluation. Coursework is supported by hands-on learning during practicum and field experience.

This program is accredited by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing and meets the Pupil Personnel Services Credential, Specialization requirements for School Counseling.

In addition to coursework for the PPS-School Counseling credential, the Educational Counseling candidates optional coursework that can amplify/enrich their degree program.  The Child Welfare and Attendance (CWA) credential is for candidates who complete a supervised school-based field experience in areas specified for the CWA. The program also offers concentrations in Social Justice in Higher Education (SJHE), Spanish Bilingual Bicultural Counseling (SBBC) and School Family Based Counseling (SFBC). The School and Family Based Counseling Concentration is not offered for 2024-25.

Program Dismissal

Students may be dismissed from the program  under several circumstances, including but not limited to: academic dishonesty, academic disqualification, failure to maintain minimum academic standards, failure to maintain satisfactory academic progress, removal from a fieldwork placement, unethical or unprofessional conduct, failure of program activities measuring student competencies/or dispositions, circumstance interfering with training or well-being of others, and/or felony conviction.  Students dismissed from the program may not apply for readmission.

Additional Program Information

Grading

The Educational Counseling and School Psychology Programs require students to earn a minimum of a B (3.0) in all coursework. Students must maintain an overall average of B (3.0) or better throughout the program.

Course Sequence and Availability

Candidates are directed to follow the course sequence as required by the program. Additionally, candidates are advised to be mindful that each course may only be offered once per academic year/term. Changes to the program course sequence are rare. If a change to course sequence is necessary, candidates must meet with the program academic advisor to ensure it matches the availability of courses and meets all prerequisite and co-requisite requirements.

Credential Recommendation Time Limit

Students are expected to complete requirements for the master’s degree and graduate within three years from the date of matriculation. All credential requirements and recommendations must be completed within 5 years from the start of the student’s first course in the Educational Counseling and School Psychology programs.

Advanced Standing

Candidates must receive advanced standing in order to enroll in PPS 581 Leading School Counseling Programs. Candidates must have completed all stipulations of admission in order to apply for Advanced Standing. Applicants must have completed a minimum of 30 semester hours of coursework, completed PPS 560 School Counseling Supervision 2, be in good academic standing, and have attained a minimum GPA of 3.0 for all work applicable to the degree program.

Admission Requirements

1. Completed admission application and application fee.
2. Official transcripts from all institutions attended. A Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution with a preferred GPA of 2.75 or above in undergraduate work and a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above in any graduate work.
   1. An undergraduate major in psychology, education, or closely related field is required. Applicants without prior teaching, counseling, or experience in education are strongly encouraged to have at least one year of volunteer or paid experience working with children or adolescents,
3. A Statement of purpose. Write a statement of purpose addressing the following points: your reasons for entering the school counseling or school psychology profession, any personal or professional experiences and/or qualifications related to your intended field of study, and your perspectives on the relevance and role of cultural competence in school counseling or school psychology. Your statement should be approximately 1,500-words in length and typewritten.
4. Two letters of recommendation from individuals qualified to and the potential to be a competent educator. Letters must be from individuals who can knowledgeably comment s academic skills, employment/volunteer experience, leadership potential, and professional abilities.
5. Basic Skills Requirement (CBEST or Equivalent).
6. Resume
7. Current TB Clearance.
8. Certificate of Clearance.

Following receipt and review of all application materials, an on-campus interview is required for candidates being considered for admission.

Degree Requirements

Core Requirements

55 semester hours

Course List

Code	Title	Semester Hours
PPS 510	School Counseling Practicum 1	2
PPS 511	Comprehensive School Counseling Programs 1	3
PPS 512	Digital Literacy & Technology 1	1
PPS 513	Ethical Practice & Policy 1	2
PPS 514	School Counseling Skills for Academic Success 1	2
PPS 515	Developing School Counselor Leadership 1	2
PPS 520	School Counseling Supervision 1	2
PPS 521	Advancing Educational Equity and Access	3
PPS 522	Classroom Instruction for School Counselors	2
PPS 523	School Counseling Skills and Intervention Strategies	2
PPS 524	School Counseling Theories and Academic Success	2
PPS 525	Small Group Development for School Counselors	2
PPS 535	Academic Development & Success	2
PPS 536	Inclusion and Equitable Practices	2
PPS 560	School Counseling Supervision 2	2
PPS 561	Data, Research, & Evaluation	3
PPS 563	Collaborative Strategies & Referral Systems	2
PPS 566	Social Emotional Development & Academic Success	2
PPS 568	Career Development & Academic Success	2
PPS 569	Crisis Intervention & Trauma Informed Practice	2
PPS 581	Leading School Counseling Programs	3
PPS 582	Postsecondary Paths & Academic Success	2
PPS 585	Pedagogical Practices	2
PPS 586	Data Informed School Counseling Programs	2
PPS 587	Advocating for Equitable and Ethical Practice	2
Select one of the following: 2		2-3
PPS 580	School Counseling Supervision 3
PPS 592	CWA: Supervised FW & Coursework
Total Semester Hours		55-56

¹

Courses required for entry into the Pupil Personnel Services Internship Credential Program in School Counseling. Candidates who successfully complete the first year curriculum may apply for an internship credential, enhancing the potential to garner employment while finishing coursework. 

²

Students may opt to earn a Child Welfare & Attendance authorization by selecting PPS 592 CWA: Supervised FW & Coursework in lieu of PPS 580 School Counseling Supervision 3 for their final fieldwork component.

Concentration in Spanish Bilingual Bicultural Counseling (SBBC)

Additional Coursework: 9 semester hours

Course List

Code	Title	Semester Hours
PPS 532	The World of Immigrant Students	3
PPS 533	Counseling Latino Immigrant Youth and Families	3
PPS 534	Bilingual Educational Theories	3
Total Semester Hours		9

Concentration in Social Justice Higher Education (SJHE)

Additional Coursework: 9 semester hours

Course List

Code	Title	Semester Hours
SJHE 552	Social Justice and Higher Education	3
SJHE 553	Student Learning and Development Theories	3
SJHE 558	Law, Policy, Safety, and Restorative Justice	3
Total Semester Hours		9

Concentration in School and Family Based Counseling (SFBC)

Additional Coursework: 16 semester hours

Note: Concentration not offered for 2024-25

Course List

Code	Title	Semester Hours
PPS 551	Diagnosis and Treatment of Psychopathology	3
PPS 554	Advanced Theories in Counseling	3
PPS 558	Psychopharmacology for School and Community Based Counseling	3
PPS 559	Substance Abuse Counseling LPCC/PPS Focus	3
PPS 583	SFBC to APCC: The Path to Licensure	2
PPS 584	Clinical Practicum	2
Total Semester Hours		16