Fall 2025 admission will end on January 15th, 2025
This page provides specific information regarding applying to the Department of Counseling Graduate Programs. For general assistance in the application process or in deciding between the Department of Counseling programs and other programs at San Francisco State University, please visit Graduate Studies Admissions Page. They offer workshop recordings on admissions topics and other great information (see Advising).
Fall 2025 Admission Information Session (Video)
Fall 2025 Admission Instruction and Requirements is now available.
Department of Counseling Application Processing Fee of $25 (This is a separate fee from Cal State Apply Fee of $70).
- Payment of Department of Counseling Application Processing Fee must be made through the link provided in the Admission Instruction and Requirement site. No checks or cash will be accepted (please visit Department of Counseling Admission Instruction site).
Specialization Videos
Career Counseling
Career Counselors work in K-12, 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 and human resources related centers (e.g., People Operations, People and Culture, Talent Acquisition, Employee Experience) in private industry and public agencies. Many students combine this training with another area of counseling based on their work setting preferences. The curriculum is designed with a holistic understanding and integrative practice of career counseling to empower individuals and communities’ access to decent work with a social justice framework, as well as to help them create and sustain a relationship with work that supports individual and collective well-being.
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Clinical Mental Health Counselors work in an array of community-based health and behavioral health agencies, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), K-12 schools, higher education settings, hospital-based programs, and programs and services for specific communities (e.g., LGBTQ+, older adults, youth, people with disabilities, Veterans) including underserved communities and those living in healthcare professional shortage areas. Graduates of the CMHC program are positioned for obtaining their LPCC after completion of 3,000 post-graduate internship hours and passing the LPCC state licensure exams.
College 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 Counseling
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.
Marriage, Family, and Child Counseling
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.
School Counseling & Pupil Personnel Services Credential
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.
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