Counseling (M.S.) 111-191 units

Corrections have been made to this chapter. Please see Errata  for most current version.

The Master of Science in Counseling degree prepares graduates to work with youth, adults, and families in a wide range of agencies and businesses. Some graduates go on to become counselors in junior colleges and college-counseling settings.

CSU East Bay offers three distinct Options within the M.S in Counseling. Individuals interested in a M.S. in Counseling degree must enroll in one of the following options:

• Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) Option (58-65 Units)
  • The Marriage and Family Therapy Option requires a two-year course of study that leads to a Master of Science in Counseling degree and meets the educational requirements for California licensure for both Marriage and Family Therapy and the Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor License (LPCC).
• School Counseling Option (59 Units)
  • The School Counseling Option requires a two-year, year-round, full-time course of study that leads to a MS in Counseling degree, the California Pupil Personnel Service (PPS) Credential in School Counseling, and meets the educational requirements for California intern licensure in Marriage and Family Therapy.
• Clinical Child/School Psychology/MFT Option (131-132 Units)
  • The Clinical Child/School Psychology Option is a three-year, year-round, full-time course of study accredited by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP). This option leads to an MS in Counseling and meets the educational requirements for a California Pupil Personnel Services credential in School Psychology and intern licensure in Marriage and Family Therapy.

MFT and School Counseling students completing the MS in Counseling Option requirements, and hourly licensing requirements are eligible to apply for the Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor License (LPCC), which is awarded by the California Board of Behavioral Science (BBS).  School Psychology students completing the MS in Counseling Option requirements are eligible to apply for the National Certification in School Psychology (NCSP), which is awarded by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) and are nationally recognized after completing two years in the field.

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university
• Department Application, including the following:
  • A personal statement about professional goals
  • Three letters of reference
  • GRE (verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing)
  • For School Counseling and School Psychology candidates only: Basic Skills Requirement (http://www.csueastbay.edu/ceas/departments/epsy/prog_spmft.html#reqs)
• University Application
• Cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0

Prerequisites

These courses, or equivalencies at other universities, are not included in the total required for the MS in Counseling:

• Elements of Probability and Statistics
• Abnormal Psychology
• Choose one of the following:
  • Developmental Psychology  
  • Theories of Learning
  • Personality Theory or Development
• For School Psychology candidates only: 
  • Theories of Learning
  • Psychological Tests

To earn the MS in Counseling degree, candidates must do the following:

• Complete all coursework toward the degree with a grade of B or higher
• Complete the University Writing Skills Test (WST) requirement
• Advancement to Candidacy
• Receive satisfactory evaluations from fieldwork and University supervisors/professors
• Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Program Expectations and Dispositions
• Complete required field-based practicum hours
• For School Counseling and School Psychology candidates only:
  • Pass the PRAXIS exam

Corrections have been made to this chapter. Please see Errata  for most current version.

Marriage and Family Therapy Option (58-65 units)

Faculty: Dr. Randi Cowdery and Dr. Terry Soohoo

Course Descriptions

Use this link to see all Course Descriptions  available throughout this catalog.

Other Graduate & Post-Baccalaureate Degree Requirements

In addition to departmental requirements, every student must also satisfy the university requirements for graduation as described in the Graduate/Post-Baccalaureate Admission and Degree Information  chapter in this catalog. These include the 32-unit residence requirement, the five year rule on currency of subject matter, the minimum number of units of 6000-level courses, the 3.00 grade point average, and the University Writing Skills Requirement. For information on meeting the University Writing Skills Requirement, see the Testing Office website at www.csueastbay.edu/testing or call 510.885.3661.