Master of Science in Counseling
The M.S. in Counseling is a professional program to prepare students for a successful career in the counseling profession. The program's emphasis on postmodern praxis and commitment to social justice sets the tone for preparing counselors who can respond to complex issues in a variety of settings. Students who complete the appropriate concentration within the degree can apply to the California Board of Behavioral Sciences to become Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors (LPCC). Coursework in the appropriate concentration prepares students to become counselors in grades K-12 by applying for the California Pupil Personnel Services School Counselor Credential (PPS). The degree offers three concentrations, School Counseling, Professional Counseling, or a dual concentration of School and Professional Counseling.
Admission to the Program
In addition to the general requirements of the university, specific requirements for admission to classified graduate status are:
- Must complete CSU Apply Application.
- Must apply directly to the concentration of interest; either School Counseling, Professional Counseling, or School and Professional Counseling Dual Concentration.
- Students must be admitted to CSUSB graduate studies and meet the general requirements of the university.
- GPA of 3.0 or higher from all previous undergraduate/graduate work.
- Attending Information Sessions: All prospective students are encouraged to attend one of our Counseling Program admission Information Sessions, where submission criteria and guidelines will be provided.
- Review the CSUSB Master of Science in Counseling Program: Personal Statement Prompts and Evaluation Rubric: The personal statement prompts are designed to guide your reflection on key aspects of your background, experiences, and career goals. The evaluation rubric provides specific details on the additional documents required for your application, including your resume, three letters of recommendation, TB test results, and CTC clearance. You will be required to upload the following documents:
- Submission of Personal Statement of Interest: As part of your application, you are required to submit a personal statement that provides insight into your experiences, values, and professional goals. Additionally, we provide an evaluation rubric that outlines the key criteria our admissions committee will use to assess your application. These criteria ensure a comprehensive review of your commitment to social justice, alignment with the program’s mission, and potential contributions to the field of counseling. Please carefully review the prompts and rubric to ensure your personal statement is thorough, well-structured, and reflective of your passion for becoming a counselor.
- Submission of Current Resume: When submitting your resume, please ensure it highlights your relevant academic background, professional experience, community service, and leadership roles. Focus on counseling-related experiences and any work with diverse populations. Your resume should demonstrate your commitment to the field and align with the program’s mission and core values.
- Submission of Letters of Support: Three Letters of support should come from individuals who can speak to your academic preparation, professional potential, and suitability for the counseling field. These letters should highlight your compassion, commitment to social justice, and values that align with the program. The letters should provide specific examples of your contributions and potential impact as a future counselor.
- The following items are required, and they must be submitted either at the time of admission or before the start of the fall semester to be conditionally admitted into the program:
- Evidence of current negative TB test: Please indicate in your application that you are waiting on official confirmation if your clearance is pending);
- Evidence of valid Certificate of CTC Livescan Clearance: Please indicate in your application that you are waiting on official confirmation if your clearance is pending) OR possession of a valid California teaching credential;
- Upon completion of the above requirements, the student's file will be reviewed by an admission committee composed of at least three members of the Counseling faculty.
Advancement to Candidacy
In order to be formally advanced to candidacy a student must have:
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Completed 12 semester units of coursework with a grade point average of 3.0 ("B"), to include COUN 6220, COUN 6221; COUN 6222.
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Filed an approved graduate program plan for completion of the degree. This must be prepared in consultation with a program advisor and approved by the program coordinator.
Requirements for Graduation
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A minimum of 60 semester units of graduate-level work, with a minimum of 42 units completed in residency at this university. Students pursuing the dual concentration must complete a minimum of 49 units in residency;
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A minimum of 20 semester units of credit taken after a student has been advanced to candidacy for the degree;
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A grade point average of 3.0 (“B”) in course work taken to satisfy the degree requirements, including a minimum of a “B” in COUN 6220, and COUN 6224, and no grade below a “B-” (2.7) in all other courses in the program;
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The graduation writing requirement is met either through demonstrated competence by a passing grade on the writing assignment housed in COUN 6221 as specified in the course syllabus or the completion of an equivalent course.
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Comprehensive examination, culminating experience, and/or through completion of a Master’s degree project;
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Completion of a graduation requirement check;
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Any additional requirements not cited above and listed in the requirements for a Master’s Degree are listed in the Graduate Degree and Program Requirements.
The comprehensive examination is designed to test the student’s knowledge of counseling. The examination is a standardized national exam, the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination (CPCE). The student will take the examination during their final term. The student must be advanced to candidacy at least one semester before taking the comprehensive examination. The student must complete a graduation check with the Office of the Registrar before permission to take the examination can be granted. Students who do not receive a passing score may petition the program coordinator to retake the examination. Students who do not receive a passing score the second time must petition the Dean of Graduate Studies to retake the exam. Approval to retake the examination may be, at any time, contingent upon completion of additional designated courses.
A Master’s project, including other media, can be reported as a paper. The project must be approved by the student’s advisor and one other professor in the College of Education and submitted in an approved format. Further information is available in the Graduate Thesis and Project handbook available through the Graduate Studies Office. Students who elect to complete a project are not required to take a comprehensive exam.
Degree Requirements (60-69 units)
| COUN 6220 | Introduction to Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 6221 | Introduction to Research & Evaluation | 3 |
| COUN 6222 | Law & Ethics in Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 6224 | Advanced Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 6226 | Conflict Resolution | 3 |
| COUN 6227 | Counseling Theories | 3 |
| COUN 6229 | Socio-Cultural Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 6230 | Human Development in Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 6231 | Group Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 6232 | Career Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 6233 | Practice Based Placement (Must be taken for a minimum of 6 units and a maximum of 12 units in consultation with advisor) | 6 |
| COUN 6237 | Appraisal | 3 |
| Culminating Experience (0) | 0 | |
| Concentration (21-30) | ||
| Students must satisfy the requirements of one of the concentrations listed below. | 21-30 | |
| Total Units | 60-69 | |
Culminating Experience (0 units)
| Students must choose one of the following: | ||
| COUN 6980 | Comprehensive Examination | 0 |
| COUN 6960 | Master's Degree Project | 0 |
| Total Units | 0 | |
Concentrations (21-30 units)
School Counseling Concentration (21 units)
(Program Code: CSCC)
| COUN 6223 | Learning Theories | 3 |
| COUN 6225 | Systems Consultation | 3 |
| COUN 6240 | Professional School Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 6235 | Crisis and Trauma Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 6239 | Family Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 6238 | Aging, Death & Grief in Couples & Families | 3 |
| COUN 6241 | Gender & Sexuality | 3 |
| Total Units | 21 | |
Professional Counseling Concentration (21 units)
(Program Code: CPCC)
| COUN 6228 | Addictions Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 6235 | Crisis and Trauma Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 6234 | Diagnosis | 3 |
| COUN 6236 | Psychopharmacology | 3 |
| COUN 6239 | Family Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 6238 | Aging, Death & Grief in Couples & Families | 3 |
| COUN 6241 | Gender & Sexuality | 3 |
| Total Units | 21 | |
School and Professional Counseling Dual Concentration (30 units)
(Program Code: CSPC)
| COUN 6223 | Learning Theories | 3 |
| COUN 6225 | Systems Consultation | 3 |
| COUN 6240 | Professional School Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 6228 | Addictions Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 6235 | Crisis and Trauma Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 6236 | Psychopharmacology | 3 |
| COUN 6239 | Family Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 6238 | Aging, Death & Grief in Couples & Families | 3 |
| COUN 6241 | Gender & Sexuality | 3 |
| COUN 6234 | Diagnosis | 3 |
| Total Units | 30 | |