CHHS Counseling Schools

CHHS >> Counseling >> Programs of Study >> School Counseling

School Counseling

Curriculum

Prerequisites

Prerequisites to the program include three foundation psychology courses: Developmental Psychology (at SFSU, PSY 431), Theories of Personality (at SFSU, PSY 451), and Psychopathology (at SFSU, PSY 452). These courses may be taken at any accredited junior college, college, or university.

COUN 690, Field of Counseling, may be taken before or during the first semester in attendance. Please note that students whose ONLY specialization is Rehabilitation Counseling do not need to take COUN 690.

Course	Title	Units
COUN 700	Theories of Counseling	3
COUN 702	Developmental Foundations for Counselors	3
COUN 703	Psychological Foundations for Counselors	3
COUN 705	Practicum and Internship	2
COUN 706	Counseling Process	3
COUN 715	Assessment in Counseling	3
COUN 735	Counseling Practicum and Fieldwork	2
COUN 736	Advanced Counseling Process	3
COUN 738	Alcohol and Substance Abuse	2
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 in Counseling	3
COUN 858	Couples and Family Counseling	3
COUN 859	Counseling Aspects of Sexuality	2
COUN 890	Integrative Counseling	3
COUN 891	Case Studies and Internship	3
COUN 892	Internship	4
	Three Specialization Classes (see below)	9
	Minimum Total	60

Area of Professional Specialization – School Counseling

Course	Title	Units
COUN 716	Structural Elements	3
COUN 717	Functional Elements	3
COUN 718	Professional Issues	3

School Counseling Specialization Faculty

The School Counseling Program

School Counseling is a program of professional specialization/ emphasis concerned with assisting students in public and private schools (Grades K-12) with effective counseling and guidance programs and services that are designated to meet students' personal, social and career needs. The program is designed to expose students to both didactic and experiential learning. The program's focus is on children and adolescents becoming functional in a learning environment utilizing both preventative and intervention strategies.

The program may be completed in two years fulltime or may be taken on a part-time basis. The program consists of 60 units. While much of the course work is generic in nature and, thus, common to all counseling majors, some generic courses have specific sections reserved for School Counseling majors and some courses are unique to the School Counseling program. The School Counseling curriculum is a component within the Department of Counseling with all of the required coursework being offered through the department. Students may combine the School Counseling program with other specializations'/ emphases within the Department of Counseling. Graduates will be recommended for a PPS credential in school counseling to the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing upon completion of all credentialing requirements.

Field Practice

Practical experience in the field of school counseling is integrated with academic study throughout the program. During the first year, each student spends 12 hours a week in supervised practice in a school setting. In the second year, each student spends 16 hour per week in supervised fieldwork in a different school setting. The state-mandated requirements are as follows:

Each candidate in field practice must demonstrate knowledge and skill in areas of educational assessment, personal and social counseling, academic and career counseling, program development, program coordination and supervision, consultation, legal aspects and professional ethics.

A minimum of four hundred fifty (450) clock hours of field practice are required in a K-12 school setting in direct contact with pupils.
Fieldwork shall be provided in at least two of three settings (elementary, middle and/or high school) with a minimum of 100 hours at each setting.
At least 100 clock hours shall be with at least ten (10) pupils (individually and/or in a group) of a racial/ethnic background different from that of the candidate.
A minimum of 25 clock hours will involve group counseling and guidance activities in a school setting.
Up to 150 clock hours of counseling with school age (K-12) youth may be in a setting other than schools provided that the candidate is supervised by an experienced practitioner who holds the Pupil Personnel Services credential.

Credential Requirements

The following state mandated requirements for anyone applying for a credential in a California public school must be completed by the student in a timely fashion. There will be no reminder given by the department and it is the student's responsibility to address these requirements in a timely manner.

Fingerprinting (application for character and identification clearance). This must be done before starting to work in any California public school. The forms are available in the Credentialing Office in the College of Education.
You are required to show evidence that you have had a current TB test with negative results.
You are required to have passed the CBEST before your credential is approved. It is strongly recommended by the Department of Counseling that you take this test either before or soon after starting our program.
You must pay a credential processing fee to the Credential Office.
You are required to submit a CAP (Credential Approved Program) accompanied by one (1) official transcript. This must be submitted to the Counseling Department.
You are further required to submit to the Credential Office one (1) unofficial transcript the semester before your final semester at SFSU.
The final step is completion of your official Credential application with accompanying fee that is sent to the Commission on Teacher Credentialling. The final document will not be issued to you by the Credential Office until all of the above items have been completed.

Upon completion of this course of study, students will be recommended by the Department of Counseling at San Francisco State University for the California State Pupil Personnel Services Credential in School Counseling. Any questions regarding your credential after you leave the university should be directed to:

State of California – Commission of Teacher Credentialing
P.O. Box 944270 (1900 Capital Avenue)
Sacramento, California 94244-2700

Department of Counseling

General Information

For Staff/Faculty

Department of Counseling News