Master of Science in Counseling
The M.S. in Counseling incorporates three specializations and/or emphases: career, college, and school counseling. The scope of this degree allows students the flexibility to focus their attention on specific areas of interest. The student combines the core sequence of classes with their specialization or emphasis. Counselors will be able to function in a wide variety of educational settings and community agencies and work with individuals of all ages. The curriculum meets all but one of the educational requirements to be eligible for the Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor license (3-unit psychopharmacology course).
Graduate Programs in Counseling
General Information
At least 60 units of approved graduate work are required for the Master of Science degree. All students go through a basic core sequence of academic courses including four semesters of supervised counseling practicum and internship. Students select electives according to their area of specialization. Two different academic year field placements are required. The department works collaboratively with over 150 community agencies, schools, colleges and universities that provide service and training opportunities for our students. These sites are carefully screened to meet our standards. Fieldwork placements are viewed as an integral part of the training of prospective counselors.
Once admitted to the program, students may petition the department’s program coordinator and chair for up to 12 units of appropriate post-baccalaureate degree work taken in other institutions within seven years from the date students plan to graduate. Courses taken for another degree or credential may not be counted toward the master’s degree. Courses taken at other institutions after admission to the graduate program may not be counted toward the master’s degree. Refer to Graduate Admissions and Graduate Studies, Transfer Credit from Other Institutions for more information.
It may be possible to complete the M.S. program either as a full-time student or as a part-time student. Students must, however, expect that their personal and work schedules will need to be flexible to accommodate fieldwork requirements and department class schedules (must be able to take in daytime, late afternoon, and evening classes at various times in the program). The program is an in-person program.
Admission to Program
Applicants are admitted as conditionally classified graduate students in the fall semester only - there are no spring admits. Admission to the department involves the following procedures:
- Submit the Cal State Apply application by December 15th including all supplementary materials.
Recommended Preparation
Prior to enrolling for classes, it is recommended that an applicant complete the following undergraduate courses: theories of personality/counseling, development through the lifespan, and a psychopathology course and an undergraduate course providing an introduction to the field of counseling. The Department uses a holistic admissions process that considers past academic success, work and volunteer experience, letters of recommendation, personal statement, and other factors. A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 in the last 60 units is required by Graduate Studies. Paid or volunteer experience working with people of diverse backgrounds is an important factor for admission. Selection of students is based on academic as well as personal experience.
Access to Counseling Courses Prior to Admission
Applicants may request to take a course in the department by submitting a formal request. These requests will be considered on a case by case basis.
Written English Proficiency Requirement
Level One
All applicants must successfully demonstrate writing proficiency through a writing sample that is evaluated by the department after being admitted to the program but before enrolling. Those who do not meet the minimum writing expectation upon admission will be required to take a writing course, usually at an additional cost.
Level Two
Satisfied by demonstration of English competency on the culminating experience paper for COUN 892.
Clinical Proficiency Requirement
Students must earn a grade of B or better in the following courses:
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| COUN 705 | Counseling Practicum | 3 |
| COUN 706 | Counseling Skills and Process | 3 |
| COUN 736 | Advanced Counseling Process | 3 |
| COUN 890 | Integrative Counseling and Internship | 3 |
| COUN 891 | Case Studies and Internship Seminar | 3 |
Program Learning Outcomes
- Students will integrate ethical standards into practice and demonstrate self-awareness and self-care for sustainable professional functioning.
- Students will develop advocacy plans addressing systemic, institutional, and societal barriers, both for individual clients and for advancing the profession.
- Students will demonstrate knowledge of role of heritage, attitudes, beliefs, understandings, and acculturative experiences.
- Students will demonstrate understanding of the effects of various sociocultural influences, including public policies, social movements, and cultural values, on mental and physical health and wellness
- Students will demonstrate knowledge of developmental theories (individual, family, cultural identity, and personality) to assess and understand client and family behaviors across the lifespan, integrating factors such as neurobiological influences, environmental context, and the impact of mental health conditions, trauma, and stress.
- Students will apply models of resilience, optimal development, and wellness to inform treatment plans, focusing on promoting positive coping strategies and adaptability in response to illness, disability, or crises.
- Students will assess and conceptualize the interconnections between work, socioeconomic standing, wellness, trauma, and relationships, demonstrating how these factors shape an individual’s career development and decision-making processes.
- Students will evaluate the school and work (e.g., paid work, unpaid care work, unemployment) environment’s impact on clients' life experiences and career development, considering factors such as organizational culture, accessibility, and discrimination.
- Students will gain and utilize knowledge of essential interviewing, counseling, and case conceptualization skills to promote a strong therapeutic alliance and to create comprehensive and culturally relevant treatment plans.
- Students will understand and implement therapeutic factors and strategies that are culturally sustaining and inclusive, ethical and legal, and enhance the effectiveness of group counseling from the perspective of a group member and leader.
- Students will select and administer assessments that are culturally sustaining and developmentally appropriate, integrating individual accommodations and environmental modifications as needed
- Students will critically evaluate the evidence base for counseling theories, interventions, and practices, ensuring that they are supported by sound research and are appropriate for diverse client populations.
- Students will describe different research designs, including qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods, and understand appropriate methodology for addressing specific counseling-related questions.
Career Counseling Learning Objective
1. Students will demonstrate the knowledge and skills to design and apply holistic career counseling approaches and other service modalities (e.g., workshops) that integrate personal, cultural, and contextual factors (e.g., local, national and global job market trends) to support clients in achieving meaningful education/training or employment transitions.
College Counseling Learning Objective
School Counseling Learning Objective
1. Students will gain knowledge of their role as leaders in the school; as advocates for students, families, and the counseling profession; and as systems change agents.
Counseling (M.S.) — 60 units
Core Curriculum (48 units)
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| COUN 700 | Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy | 3 |
| COUN 702 | Developmental Foundations for Counselors | 3 |
| COUN 703 | Psychological Foundations for Counselors | 3 |
| COUN 705 | Counseling Practicum | 3 |
| COUN 706 | Counseling Skills and Process | 3 |
| COUN 715 | Assessment in Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 720 | Career Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 736 | Advanced Counseling Process | 3 |
| COUN 741 | Crisis Counseling for Counselors | 3 |
| COUN 794 | Seminar in Research | 3 |
| COUN 811 | Group Counseling Process | 3 |
| COUN 833 | Social and Cultural Foundations in Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 857 | Law and Ethics for Counselors | 3 |
| COUN 890 | Integrative Counseling and Internship | 3 |
| COUN 891 | Case Studies and Internship Seminar | 3 |
| COUN 892 | Culminating Experience for Counselors | 3 |
Area of Specialization (12 units)
Career Counseling
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| COUN 721 | Applied Career Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 727 | Advanced Career Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 738 | Addictions | 3 |
| Select one: | 3 | |
| Biopsychosocial Aspects of Health, Behavioral Health, Aging, & Disability | ||
| Professional Seminar I - Structural Elements in School Counseling | ||
| Seminar for Counselors in Student Personnel Services | ||
| Couple and Family Counseling I | ||
College Counseling
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| COUN 738 | Addictions | 3 |
| COUN 792 | Seminar for Counselors in Student Personnel Services | 3 |
| COUN 793 | Organization and Administration of Student Services in Higher Education | 3 |
| Select one: | 3 | |
| Biopsychosocial Aspects of Health, Behavioral Health, Aging, & Disability | ||
| Professional Seminar I - Structural Elements in School Counseling | ||
| Applied Career Counseling | ||
| Couple and Family Counseling I | ||
Gerontological Counseling
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| COUN 704 | Biopsychosocial Aspects of Health, Behavioral Health, Aging, & Disability | 3 |
| COUN 738 | Addictions | 3 |
| COUN 820 | 3 | |
| Graduate GRN Course | 3 | |
School Counseling
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| COUN 716 | Professional Seminar I - Structural Elements in School Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 717 | Professional Seminar II - Functional Elements in School Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 718 | Professional Seminar III - Professional Issues in School Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 738 | Addictions | 3 |
| or COUN 858 | Couple and Family Counseling I | |