The Department of Counseling offers three master's degrees: the Master of Science in Counseling; the Master of Science in Counseling with a Concentration in Marriage, Family and Child Counseling; and the Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. All graduates are eligible to take the National Counselor Examination.
Masters of Science in Counseling
Within the Masters of Science in Counseling, there are four different counseling specializations — Career, College, Gerontological, and School. School counseling students are eligible for the State of California Pupil Personnel Services Credential with a specialization in School Counseling (P-12).
Undergraduate Minor in Counseling
The minor offers four areas of study for all students:
The Field of Counseling. Students are introduced to the counseling profession through an overview of role and functions in career, college, marriage, family and child, mental health, and rehabilitation settings; historical perspective; professional identification; ethical considerations; and self-awareness.
Psychological Understandings. Students receive a general introduction to the field of counseling and psychological dynamics.
Decision Making. Students examine how individuals make choices and how decisions are made through self-assessment and evaluation by others. The study includes ethnic and cultural differences in the decision-making process.
Skills Training. The development of basic skills which include attending, responding, interpretation, and decision making. The training includes practicum experience in interviewing skills.
Undergraduate Programs
We do not offer a Bachelor's degree Major in Counseling. Please refer to the SF State Bulletin for an extensive list of undergraduate academic programs.
Accreditation
The programs in Career Counseling; Clinical Mental Health Counseling: College Counseling; Marriage, Family and Child Counseling; and, School Counseling are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) through March 31, 2027. The Pupil Personnel Services Credential program in School Counseling is also accredited by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC).
Career Counselors work in high school, college and university career centers, student support services and advising offices. Some graduates use this training to establish private career counseling and consultation practices while others enter career development centers in private industry and public agencies. Many students combine this training with another area of counseling.
College Counselors may work in two- and four-year colleges and universities providing academic counseling in a range of college student personnel positions in programs such as student retention, EOP or EOPS, financial aid, CalWorks, multicultural student services, residential life, college outreach, transfer services, general counseling and other student services.
Gerontological Counselors work with older adults and their families performing case management and counseling in consultation with family members. Settings may include senior centers, residential homes, social service agencies, and hospices. Gerontological counselors benefit from having an emphasis in Mental Health Counseling.
School Counselors upon graduation and after passing the California CBEST examination receive their State of California Pupil Personnel Services Credential with a specialization in School Counseling (PK–12) and work in public and private school settings. They do personal and academic counseling and work in an integrated services team approach with other mental health and education professionals.
Clinical Mental Health Counselors work in an array of community-based behavioral health agencies, hospital-based inpatient and outpatient treatment programs, school and college settings, rehabilitation programs, youth wellness centers and programs/services for at risk and marginalized communities. Graduates obtain their LPCC and may choose to work in private practice.
MFCC specialization prepares graduates for LMFT licensure in California. MFTs provide assessment, diagnosis, and intervention for individuals, couples, families, children, and groups in family, youth, and child agencies, hospitals, schools, universities, forensic settings, private practice, and a variety of community counseling services. The curriculum emphasizes a culturally-informed and systemic-familial-relational orientation to prevention, intervention, consultation, and advocacy.