FAQ

 There is no rolling admissions. Applications must be submitted by the deadline posted on our admissions website for the following fall admissions. Any applications submitted after the deadline will not be reviewed. 

All applicants must use Cal State Apply for admission. There are multiple parts of the application and applicants will receive instructions regarding all materials that will need to be uploaded into Cal State Apply. In addition, the Admissions section of our Department website provides detailed instructions for completing the application. Be sure to carefully read the instructions on our website regarding submitting the application fee online. 

Applicants apply to a specific degree and specialization within the Department of Counseling. Admission decisions are made for the specialization to which you apply. If you are not admitted to that specialization, you are not automatically considered for or placed into another specialization. If you are interested in more than one area of counseling, we encourage you to carefully review each specialization before applying and select the one that most closely aligns with your professional goals.

No. Indicating an interest in an emphasis does not increase or decrease your chances of admission. Applicants are admitted to a degree and specialization, not to an emphasis. You cannot be admitted to the program solely in an emphasis area.

An emphasis is an optional opportunity to gain additional training in another counseling area and requires additional coursework and fieldwork beyond your primary specialization. Being admitted to a specialization does not guarantee that you will be approved to add an emphasis. 

Please complete and upload only the Department of Counseling Personal Statement. Do not complete the University Statement of Purpose.

There is no minimum word count. Your Personal Statement should be no more than 1,300 words, double-spaced and in 12-point font, and uploaded as a Word document or PDF.

There is no single required prompt. The Personal Statement is an opportunity for us to get to know you, why you are pursuing counseling, why you have chosen your specialization (and emphasis, if applicable), and how your experiences have prepared you for graduate study and the counseling profession. Please review the Personal Statement instructions on our Admissions website for suggested areas to address.

Take time to write, review, and revise your statement, paying attention to clarity, organization, grammar, and language use. The Personal Statement also serves as the University's Level 1 Written English Proficiency Requirement if you are admitted.

Your Personal Statement must be entirely your own original work. Do not use AI or another person to write or generate any portion of your statement. Applications containing content written by others, generated by AI, or copied from other sources may be disqualified from review.

During the application process, Cal State Apply requires unofficial transcripts from all colleges and universities where you have completed coursework, even if you did not earn a degree from that institution. Do not submit only the transcript from the institution where you received your degree.

You do not need to submit official transcripts during the initial application process. If you are admitted to the program, you will be asked to submit official transcripts to the University.

If you believe that your previous academic record does not accurately reflect your current abilities or potential for graduate study—for example, because the coursework was completed many years ago—we encourage you to briefly provide relevant context in your Personal Statement.

You may apply while you are still completing your bachelor’s degree. Your bachelor’s degree does not need to be completed at the time you submit your application, but it must be completed and posted on your transcript before you begin the M.S. program in the Fall. If admitted, you will be required to submit a final official transcript showing that your degree has been awarded.

If you are enrolled in courses at the time you apply, we will assume that your in-progress courses will be successfully completed. Your GPA at the time of application is based on coursework completed up to that point.

The Department of Counseling does not require specific undergraduate prerequisite courses for admission. Although we review your academic history as part of the application, completing particular undergraduate counseling or related courses is not a significant factor in the admissions review process.

Applicants who completed a degree at a college or university outside the United States should consult the SF State Division of Graduate Studies for requirements related to international transcripts, degree evaluation, and GPA equivalency. Graduate Studies determines how international academic records should be submitted and evaluated for admission to the University.

If you are an international student, please also consult the Office of International Programs (OIP) for additional information about international admission requirements and student services.

Choose recommenders who know you well enough to speak to your potential as a graduate student and counselor-in-training. Appropriate recommenders are typically professional or academic contacts who have served in an instructor, supervisor, or similar professional role and can provide specific information about your skills, strengths, readiness for graduate study, and potential for the counseling profession.

Letters from individuals with whom you have primarily a personal relationship—such as family members, friends, or personal therapists—are not appropriate.

The application requires exactly two letters of recommendation. Please do not submit additional letters; the Admissions Committee will review only two.

No. There is no required format for letters of recommendation. Recommenders may write their own letter using professional letterhead. Applicants may also download the Department of Counseling's optional recommendation form from our website and provide it to their recommenders if they prefer.

We encourage recommenders to address the applicant's readiness and potential for graduate study and professional counseling training. Depending on their relationship with the applicant, recommenders may comment on areas such as:

• Academic or professional strengths and performance
• Interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds and experiences
• Openness to feedback, self-reflection, and growth
• Reliability, responsibility, and professionalism
• Ability to manage challenges and the demands of graduate-level training
• Potential to develop into an effective counselor and counseling professional

Recommenders are encouraged to provide specific examples when possible and to describe the context in which they have known or worked with the applicant.

Letters must be signed by the recommender and submitted through Cal State Apply. Applicants enter their recommenders' contact information in Cal State Apply, and recommenders then receive an automated email with instructions for submitting their letters.

Please see the Admissions section of our website for additional information and the optional recommendation form.

No. Letters of recommendation are due by the same application deadline as your Cal State Apply application. Both letters must be submitted directly by your recommenders through the Cal State Apply system by the application deadline.

We strongly encourage applicants to contact recommenders early and give them plenty of time to prepare their letters. After entering your recommenders' information in Cal State Apply, monitor your application to make sure both letters have been submitted and follow up with your recommenders as the deadline approaches if needed.

It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that both letters are submitted by the deadline.

There is no required format or template for the resume. Your resume should provide a clear overview of the educational, employment, volunteer, service, leadership, and other experiences that are relevant to your application and your interest in counseling.

Please include your educational background and relevant work and volunteer experiences, including the organization, your role, dates of involvement, and a brief description of your responsibilities. You may also include relevant leadership, community involvement, research, professional development, language skills, or other experiences that help us understand your background and preparation for graduate counseling training.

Your resume should be clear, organized, and easy to read. Applicants who would like additional guidance on resume preparation may wish to use the career services resources available through their current or former college or university.

There is no single type of work or volunteer experience that makes someone a strong applicant. Applicants come to counseling with different backgrounds, experiences, and strengths, and our admissions process considers the overall application.

Relevant work, volunteer, community, advocacy, peer support, education, or human services experiences can be valuable in helping applicants develop an understanding of the counseling profession, the communities counselors serve, and the specialization they wish to pursue. We encourage applicants to reflect on what they have learned from their experiences and how those experiences have contributed to their interest in and preparation for counseling, rather than simply accumulating a particular type of experience.

Applicants to the MS in Counseling with a concentration in Marriage, Family & Child Counseling (MFCC) and the MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) programs must have completed at least 2,000 hours of human services work and/or volunteer experience before applying.

For other specializations, there is no required number of work or volunteer hours; however, applicants should demonstrate a clear understanding of their chosen counseling specialization and why it aligns with their experiences and professional goals.
 

The Department of Counseling has approximately 145 graduate students enrolled across our degree programs and specializations. Each year, we typically admit approximately 45–55 new students, and approximately 45–55 students graduate annually.

Applicants are typically notified of admission decisions in early spring. The exact timeline varies from year to year depending on the admissions review process and University timelines. Applicants should monitor both their email and Cal State Apply account for updates regarding their application and admission decision.

No. The Department of Counseling does not offer deferred admission. Students who are admitted are expected to begin the program in the semester for which they were accepted.

If you are unable to begin at that time but would like to attend in the future, you will need to reapply during a future admissions cycle and participate in the admissions process again. Admission in a previous year does not guarantee admission in a subsequent admissions cycle.

Detailed application instructions and requirements are available on the Department of Counseling Admissions website during the application period, typically October 1 through mid-December.

During the application period, visit the Admission Instructions and Requirements page and carefully review the application instructions and linked materials. These provide detailed, step-by-step information about completing and submitting your application.

Because application requirements and procedures may change from year to year, admissions instructions are posted only during the current application cycle. We encourage applicants to review the current instructions carefully rather than relying on materials from a previous year.

Admission Instructions and Requirements

Tuition and fees are established by the University and are subject to change. For the most current information about graduate tuition, fees, and estimated costs of attendance, please visit the SF State Bursar’s Office and Office of Student Financial Aid websites.

Students who are residents of participating Western states or territories may be eligible for reduced tuition through the Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP). Eligibility and participating programs are subject to specific requirements, so prospective students should review the current SF State WRGP information to determine whether they qualify.

Yes, research opportunities may be available with Department of Counseling faculty. Opportunities vary from year to year depending on faculty research projects, the stage of those projects, and whether there are opportunities for student involvement.

Students interested in gaining research experience are encouraged to learn about faculty members' areas of scholarship and reach out directly to faculty whose research interests align with their own to ask about current or upcoming opportunities.

Research involvement is optional and is not a required component of the M.S. program.

The majority of Department of Counseling courses are offered in person at SF State. A limited number of courses may be offered in a hybrid format, and very few courses are fully online.

Students should plan to attend classes in person and during daytime hours. The program cannot be completed fully online, and students should not plan on being able to complete their degree primarily through online, hybrid, or evening courses.

Course formats and schedules may vary somewhat from semester to semester.

Yes, many students work while completing the program. However, balancing employment with a full-time graduate counseling program can be challenging, particularly once practicum and internship begin.

Students should plan for in-person daytime classes, coursework and assignments, and substantial weekly traineeship commitments. During fieldwork, students typically spend multiple days each week at their placement site, and placement schedules are determined in part by client, agency, school, and supervision needs. The handbook indicates approximately 8–12 weekly traineeship hours during the first year and 12–16 during the second year for most specializations, with School Counseling requiring approximately 15 hours per week. 

Working while enrolled is possible, but students should carefully consider the flexibility and number of hours of their employment and whether their work schedule will allow them to meet daytime course and fieldwork requirements. Students who need greater flexibility may also consider completing the program on a three-year rather than two-year sequence.

No. Students cannot complete the program by taking only evening classes. Courses are scheduled at different times throughout the day, and students must be available to take required courses when they are offered.

The majority of courses are offered during the daytime, although some courses may occasionally be offered in the evening. Course times and formats can also vary from semester to semester. Students should therefore plan for a schedule that requires daytime availability and attendance on multiple days of the week. 

Students must also consider their practicum/internship schedules, which require additional availability outside of class time and cannot necessarily be arranged around a student's preferred course or employment schedule.

SF State considers 9 or more units per semester a full-time graduate enrollment load, although definitions may vary for purposes such as financial aid and tuition. The typical University full-time graduate course load is 9–12 units per semester. 

In the Department of Counseling, students seeking to complete the 60-unit program on an accelerated/full course load may take up to approximately 15 units per semester, in addition to practicum/internship requirements. Traineeship typically requires approximately 8–18 hours per week, depending on the student's specialization and year in fieldwork. 

Students taking fewer courses should work closely with their faculty advisor to plan their curriculum because courses must be completed in sequence and may not be offered every semester.

Please do not rely on summer courses when planning your program. Summer offerings are limited and not guaranteed. When available, summer courses may help reduce a future Fall or Spring course load.

Students are typically on campus for classes 2–3 days per week. We try to organize the course schedule so that students following the standard curriculum can attend classes on two days per week whenever possible; however, this cannot be guaranteed and may vary by semester, specialization, and course availability.

Students should also plan for their practicum/internship placement on additional days during the week. Because both course and traineeship schedules vary, students should expect to have commitments across multiple days each week.
 

Visit the Department of Counseling's Academics webpage to learn more about our specialization areas: Career Counseling, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, College Counseling, Marriage, Family & Child Counseling, and School Counseling.

Each specialization page provides information about the focus of the specialization, curriculum and training, professional opportunities, and related licensure or credentialing pathways. We encourage prospective students to review these pages carefully to determine which specialization best aligns with their interests and professional goals.

Please note: The Career Counseling specialization is not accepting applications for the current admissions cycle. You may apply for Career as an emphasis along with your chosen specialization. Applicants should review the current Admissions information to determine which specializations are accepting applications.

Explore our counseling specializations

Possibly. The Department may accept up to 9 units of previously completed graduate counseling coursework, provided those units were not applied toward another graduate degree.

Transfer coursework may only be considered as a substitute for the following SF State courses:

• COUN 700 – Theories of Counseling
• COUN 702 – Developmental Foundations for Counselors
• COUN 703 – Psychological Foundations for Counselors

Approval is not automatic. Courses must be reviewed by the Department to determine whether the content is sufficiently equivalent to the corresponding SF State course. The Student Handbook similarly identifies these three courses as the only courses that may be considered for transfer credit. 

Courses taken at another institution after beginning the Department of Counseling program cannot be transferred into the degree.

Students interested in requesting transfer credit should consult with their faculty advisor after admission to determine whether previously completed coursework is eligible for review.

Class sizes vary depending on the course and generally range from approximately 10–30 students. Practicum and internship courses are smaller and have a maximum of 12 students to support supervision, feedback, and counseling skill development. 

The Department of Counseling does not use a cohort model. Students do not move through the entire program as a single group or take all of their courses with the same classmates. Classes may include students from different counseling specializations and students at different points in their program.

Students will often take several courses with the same peers—particularly within their specialization and practicum/internship sequence—so there are opportunities to develop ongoing relationships and community with other students even though the program is not organized as a formal cohort model.

All students are assigned a faculty advisor when they enter the program. Students meet with their faculty advisor at least once each semester for support with course planning, practicum/internship, academic progress, licensure and credentialing, and professional development. 

The Department also offers a student-led Peer Mentoring Project, which connects incoming graduate students with advanced students in the program. Peer mentors can provide additional support as new students navigate graduate school, the Department, and the counseling program during their first year.

Yes. Our master's programs are primarily designed to prepare graduates for professional counseling practice, and many graduates enter the counseling profession after completing their degree. Some graduates choose to continue their education in doctoral programs.

Our alumni have pursued Ph.D., Psy.D., and Ed.D. programs in areas such as counselor education, counseling psychology, clinical psychology, higher education leadership, and other related fields.

Students interested in doctoral study are encouraged to talk with faculty about their goals and seek opportunities to strengthen their preparation for doctoral education, including research and other professional or scholarly experiences.

Students who pursue a doctoral degree and are interested in a future faculty career within the California State University system may also be eligible for the Chancellor's Doctoral Incentive Program (CDIP), which provides mentoring, professional development, and financial support to selected doctoral students.

No. Completing your degree is the first step toward licensure. SF State provides the graduate education required for specific California licensure pathways, but professional licenses are issued by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS), not by the University.

After graduation, students pursuing the Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) or Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) typically apply to the BBS to become an Associate Professional Clinical Counselor (APCC) or Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT). Associates then complete the required supervised post-degree experience and examinations before becoming eligible for independent licensure. 

California currently requires 3,000 hours of supervised experience for both LPCC and LMFT licensure. MFCC students can accrue a portion of these hours during their fieldwork.

Which SF State programs meet the educational requirements for licensure?

• The M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) meets all the educational requirements for LPCC licensure in California.
• The Career Counseling and College Counseling specializations can meet LPCC educational requirements when the elective COUN 737 (Psychopharmacology) is completed as part of the program.
• The School Counseling specialization can meet LPCC requirements if they take an additional psychopharmacology course to meet LPCC educational requirements.
• The M.S. in Counseling, Concentration in Marriage, Family & Child Counseling (MFCC) meets all the educational requirements for LMFT licensure. MFCC graduates interested in LPCC licensure also need coursework in Psychopharmacology and Crisis Counseling. 

Licensure requirements are established by the BBS and are subject to change, so students should always review current BBS requirements.

Students completing the MS in Counseling with a concentration in Marriage, Family, and Child Counseling degree can pursue both the LPCC and LMFT licenses. Students in the MS in Counseling program (Career, College, School) or MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program can only pursue the LPCC. For MFCC student to meet the educational requirements for LPCC licensure, they need two additional courses: Psychopharmacology and Crisis Counseling. These courses may be completed in our department if there is room in the course or outside the Department after graduation.

These are different professional licenses that can lead to careers providing mental health services, but they come from different educational and professional training pathways.

LPCC – Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor: LPCCs are master's-level professionals trained in professional clinical counseling. Their education emphasizes counseling theory and practice, assessment, diagnosis, treatment, prevention, career development, human development, and working with individuals and groups across a range of mental health and life concerns. At SF State, all MS counseling programs position graduates to pursue the LPCC. the Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) degree is specifically designed to meet all California LPCC educational requirements within its 60 unit curriculum

LMFT – Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist: LMFTs are master's-level professionals whose training includes a particular emphasis on relationships, couples, families, children, and systemic approaches to assessment and treatment. SF State's Marriage, Family & Child Counseling (MFCC) degree meets the educational requirements for California LMFT licensure.

LCSW – Licensed Clinical Social Worker: LCSWs typically complete a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree. Social work education includes clinical practice as well as training related to social welfare systems, social policy, community resources, case management, and person-in-environment approaches. SF State's Department of Counseling does not offer an MSW or an educational pathway to LCSW licensure.

Clinical Psychologist: Licensed psychologists generally complete a doctoral degree (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) in psychology, rather than a master's degree in counseling or social work. Their education typically includes advanced training in psychological assessment, diagnosis, psychotherapy, research, and other areas of psychological practice. SF State's Department of Counseling does not offer a doctoral program leading to psychologist licensure.

The professions overlap considerably in the services they may provide, particularly psychotherapy and mental health treatment. Differences include their educational pathways, professional traditions, scopes of practice, and licensing requirements.
 

Students seeking the California Pupil Personnel Services Credential (PPSC) in School Counseling should complete the School Counseling specialization or emphasis. The PPSC is a professional credential issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) and is required for school counseling positions in California public schools.

SF State's School Counseling curriculum is designed to meet the educational and fieldwork requirements for the PPSC. School Counseling students complete COUN 716, COUN 717, and COUN 718 as well as the required school-based fieldwork. The CTC requires completion of a Commission-approved professional preparation program specializing in school counseling, including practicum, and a formal recommendation from the approved university program. Commission on Teacher Credentialing

Students in another specialization who want to pursue the PPSC should speak with the School Counseling Coordinator about adding a School Counseling emphasis and the additional coursework and fieldwork requirements.

Your degree is the graduate degree awarded by SF State. Your specialization is your area of professional preparation within the degree (e.g., College Counseling, Career Counseling, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Marriage, Family & Child Counseling, or School Counseling). A professional license, such as the LPCC or LMFT, is issued by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences after you meet the state's education, supervised experience, and examination requirements. The Pupil Personnel Services Credential (PPSC) is issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing and authorizes school counseling practice in California public schools

Professional licenses are issued by individual states, and a California LPCC or LMFT license does not automatically authorize you to practice in another state. Each state establishes its own licensure requirements.

If you know that you may want to practice outside California after graduation, you should review the licensing requirements in the state where you intend to practice. That state's licensing board will determine whether your SF State degree, coursework, supervised experience, examinations, and California license satisfy its requirements. Depending on the state, you may need to submit transcripts and verification of supervised experience and licensure and/or complete additional coursework, examinations, or other requirements.

Graduates who first become licensed in California and later move to another state typically apply to that state's licensing board through the process it provides for already-licensed professionals, sometimes called licensure by endorsement, reciprocity, or credential. Because requirements vary considerably by state and can change, students should contact the licensing board in the state where they intend to practice.

Students considering practicing in another state are encouraged to research that state's requirements early in their program so they can identify any differences in educational or fieldwork requirements before graduation.

Students are responsible for securing their own traineeship placements, but the Department provides extensive resources and support throughout the process. All traineeship sites must be approved and vetted by the Department of Counseling before a student can be placed there. 

Students begin their search using the Master List of Approved Sites and Open Positions List, available in the Practicum & Internship channel in Microsoft Teams. The Open Positions List provides current information about sites recruiting trainees, while the Master List includes all approved sites and identifies the specialization(s) for which each site is approved. Students also have access to detailed site information, materials provided by agencies, and evaluations completed by previous student trainees. 

The Department also holds a Virtual Internship Fair each spring, where students can meet representatives from approved agencies and schools recruiting trainees for the following academic year. Students may begin applying as soon as positions are posted and do not need to wait until the Internship Fair to secure a placement. 

Students who have difficulty finding a placement should first consult with their faculty advisor and then their Specialization/Emphasis Coordinator for assistance. 

Important: Students should apply only to sites approved for their specialization and/or emphasis and should not independently arrange a traineeship at an unapproved site. If an approved site cannot meet a student's training needs, students should consult with their advisor or Specialization/Emphasis Coordinator about possible options.

Traineeship schedules vary by site. Each placement determines its own scheduling expectations based on client needs, supervision availability, and agency or school operations. Some sites may offer more flexibility than others, but students should not assume that a traineeship can be arranged around work, personal commitments, or preferred days and times.

When considering placements, students should carefully review the site's location, required days/hours, supervision schedule, and other expectations and consider whether the placement is feasible alongside their course schedule and commute. Some agencies require more than the Department's minimum weekly hours, so students should clarify scheduling expectations before accepting a placement. 

Students have access to information about approved sites through the Master List of Sites, Agency/Site Directory, Open Positions List, and evaluations from previous student trainees, which can help them identify placements that fit their training needs and logistical circumstances. 

Once a student accepts a traineeship offer, they are making a commitment to that site for the academic year, so it is important to consider scheduling and transportation needs before accepting an offer.

In some circumstances, yes. The Department may approve a student's place of employment as a traineeship site, but specific requirements must be met to ensure that the student's employment and counseling training are clearly separated.

The employment site must be an approved Department of Counseling traineeship site, and it cannot be used as a student's first-year traineeship placement. The site must also provide a different supervisor for the traineeship than the student's employment supervisor, and the student's traineeship caseload must be separate from their regular work caseload and specifically designated for training purposes. 

Students considering using their workplace for their traineeship must receive approval from their Faculty Advisor, Specialization Coordinator, and Internship Coordinator before accepting the placement.

Traineeships generally begin at the start of the Fall semester and continue through the Spring semester. Students complete their first-year placement while enrolled in COUN 705/706 in the Fall and COUN 736 in the Spring, followed by a second-year placement while enrolled in COUN 890 in the Fall and COUN 891 in the Spring. 

Students secure their placement during the Spring before the academic year in which the traineeship begins. The Department holds its Virtual Internship Fair early in the Spring semester, although students may begin applying to approved sites as soon as positions are posted. 

No. Students earn academic units through their required practicum and internship courses; there are not additional units awarded separately for the hours completed at the traineeship site.

Students complete their fieldwork while enrolled in the corresponding practicum/internship courses: COUN 705 and 706 in the first Fall semester, COUN 736 in the first Spring semester, COUN 890 in the second Fall semester, and COUN 891 in the second Spring semester. Each of these courses is a 3-unit course. 

The traineeship placement and coursework are integrated: students must be completing their required field placement while enrolled in the corresponding practicum/internship course.