The major objective of this emphasis is to provide training for students who want to do counseling with older persons consistent with the National Board of Certified Counselors.
It is the specialization's intent to focus on generic and specific efforts toward professional development, which includes basic communication skills, theoretical and developmental foundations, mental health assessment and the aging process. Consistent with the general mission of the Department of Counseling, the Gerontological specialization/ emphasis recognizes the need for close coordination with the field.
Karl Kwan
Professor
Interim Gerontological Counseling Coordinator
- Division of Graduate Studies Application (Cal State Apply)
- Resume
- Unofficial Transcript(s)
- Personal Statement and Affidavit of Authorship
- Summary of Experience Form
- Letters of recommendation
- Writing assessment
After admissions decisions are made, Coordinators will determine the incoming student's readiness for graduate level writing. This assessment will use the Personal Statement. It is essential that the applicant is the sole author of their personal statement (a verification of authorship is required in the application). Once admitted, students who have demonstrated a need to strengthen their writing skills will be required to take a writing course (HSS 700) in their first semester of the program. Students can also self-select to take the writing course for greater success in graduate level writing. - In-person interview (depending on Specialization)
Curriculum
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| COUN 700 | Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy | 3 |
| COUN 702 | Developmental Foundations for Counselors | 3 |
| COUN 703 | Psychological Foundations for Counselors | 3 |
| COUN 704 | Biopsychosocial Aspects of Health, Behavioral Health, Aging, & Disability | 3 |
| COUN 705 | Counseling Practicum | 3 |
| COUN 706 | Counseling Skills and Process | 3 |
| COUN 715 | Assessment in Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 720 | Career Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 736 | Advanced Counseling Process | 3 |
| COUN 738 | Addictions Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 741 | Crisis Counseling for Counselors | 3 |
| COUN 794 | Seminar in Research | 3 |
| COUN 811 | Group Counseling Process | 3 |
| GERO | Graduate Course in Gerontology Department (by approval of Coordinator) | 3 |
| COUN 833 | Social and Cultural Foundations in Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 857 | Law and Ethics for Counselors | 3 |
| COUN 820 or 870 | Professional Issues, Clinical Case Management & Systems of Care (as substitute for Coun 820) | |
| COUN 890 | Integrative Counseling and Internship | 3 |
| COUN 891 | Case Studies and Internship Seminar | 3 |
| COUN 892 | Culminating Experience for Counselors | 3 |
| Total | 60 |
1st Semester - Fall
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| COUN 702 | Developmental Foundations | 3 |
| COUN 705 | Counseling Practicum | 3 |
| COUN 706 | Counseling Skills and Process | 3 |
| COUN 833 | Social & Cultural Foundations | 3 |
| COUN 857 | Law and Ethics for Counselors | 3 |
2nd Semester - Spring
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| COUN 700 | Theories of Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 703 | Psychological Foundations for Counselors | 3 |
| COUN 736 | Advanced Counseling Process & Internship | 3 |
| COUN 870 | Professional Issues, Clinical Case Management and Systems of Care | 3 |
| GERO | Approved course in GERO | 3 |
3rd Semester - Fall
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| COUN 704 | Biopsychosocial Aspects of Health, Behavioral Health, Aging and Disability | 3 |
| COUN 720 | Career Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 811 | Group Counseling Process | 3 |
| COUN 794 | Seminar in Research | 3 |
| COUN 890 | Integrative Counseling / Internship | 3 |
4th Semester - Spring
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| COUN 738 | Addictions Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 741 | Crisis Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 715 | Assessment in Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 891 | Case Studies/Internship | 3 |
| COUN 892 | Culminating Experience | 3 |
1st Semester - Fall
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| COUN 702 | DevelopmentalFoundations | 3 |
| COUN 857 | Law & Ethics | 3 |
| COUN 833 | Social & Cultural Foundations | 3 |
2nd Semester - Spring
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| COUN 700 | Theories of Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 703 | Psychological Foundations for Counselors | 3 |
| GERO | Approved course in GERO | 3 |
| COUN 870 | Professional Issues, Clinical Case Management and Systems of Care | 3 |
3rd Semester - Fall
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| COUN 704 | Biopsychosocial Aspects of Health, Behavioral Health, Aging and Disability | 3 |
| COUN 705 | Counseling Practicum | 3 |
| COUN 706 | Counseling Skills and Process | 3 |
| COUN 720 | Career Counseling | 3 |
4th Semester - Spring
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| COUN 736 | Advanced Counseling Process & Internship | 3 |
| COUN 741 | Crisis Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 738 | Addictions | 3 |
5th Semester - Fall
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| COUN 794 | Seminar in Research | 3 |
| COUN 811 | Group Process | 3 |
| COUN 890 | Integrative Counseling / Internship | 3 |
6th Semester - Spring
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| COUN 891 | Case Studies/Internship | 3 |
| COUN 892 | Culminating Experience | 3 |