Counseling, M.A., and Pupil Personnel Services Credential in School Counseling

Admission to the program and prerequisites

Acceptance into the graduate programs in counseling is based on multiple criteria, including previous academic achievement, experience working with children and in schools, knowledge of the profession of school counseling and commitment to the program’s mission and goals. The program has a special interest in candidates who have experience in multilingual and multicultural settings. In keeping with the University’s mission, the M.A. in School Counseling program is committed to providing a personalized education of distinction. To meet this goal, the program will enroll a limited number of students each academic year in the fall session only. After initial screening of the application materials, selected prospective students will be invited for an in-person interview with faculty. Accurate annual deadline information is available on the program website. To be considered for admission to the M.A. in School Counseling program, all candidates must submit the documents listed below:

1. Online graduate application.
2. Supplemental application part of the online application.
3. An autobiographical essay that will be used to assess the applicant’s writing skills, commitment to the program’s mission and professional goals. The essay should be approximately 750 words in length, double-spaced. Further description is provided in the online application.
4. A current resume that includes information on experiences working with children and/or families.
5. Official transcripts from the undergraduate degree granting institution of higher education.
6. Two letters of recommendation. If possible, one recommendation form should be from someone who has experience with the candidate in an academic setting and knowledge of the candidate’s academic potential and a second recommendation form should be from someone who knows the candidate in a work setting, preferably one where the candidate works with children.

Program prerequisites

All candidates must pass one of the basic skills requirements. Please see the options at the following link. http://www.ctc.ca.gov/credentials/leaflets/cl667.pdf

Demonstration of mastery

Faculty members review students each semester to determine if they demonstrate the skills, knowledge and professional attitudes necessary to be successful school counselors. Students who demonstrate these qualities will be invited to continue in the program. If faculty members have concerns about students in any of these areas, they will be asked to meet with an advisor and may be dismissed from the program. Students are required to earn a score of 156 on the Professional School Counselor exam of the Education Testing Service Praxis Examination. Students who do not attain a score of 156 after two attempts may petition the program coordinator to take an alternative comprehensive examination.

Fieldwork requirement

Students in the M.A. in School Counseling program must complete a minimum of 200 hours of practicum fieldwork (CSP 515 ) and 800 hours of internship/final fieldwork (CSP 620  and CSP 621 ). The majority of these hours must be completed in a K-12 public school setting. All hours must be under the supervision of an experienced professional with a Pupil Personnel Services Credential in school counseling. All students are expected to gain experiences with children and youth of a variety of ages, ability levels, cultural heritages and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Requirements for the Master of Arts in Counseling and Pupil Personnel Services Credential in School Counseling degree

Students pursuing the Master of Arts in Counseling and Pupil Personnel Services Credential in School Counseling degree are held to the University’s Academic Policies and Procedures . In addition these specific degree standards apply:

• Earn a score of 156 on the Professional School Counselor exam of the Education Testing Service Praxis Examination.
• Complete a minimum of 200 hours of practicum fieldwork (CSP 515 ) and 800 hour of internship/final fieldwork (CSP 620  and CSP 621 ).
• Minimum grade “C+” or above required in all coursework.
• Maintain 3.000 GPA in the degree.

The following courses make up the M.A. in Counseling and Pupil Personnel Services Credential in School Counseling curriculum: