The School Counseling program prepares master’s level professionals to utilize comprehensive, data-driven, multi-tiered school counseling services that meet the academic, social, emotional, and career needs of students in PK–12 schools.
Through didactic and experiential learning opportunities, school counseling students will learn preventative and intervention strategies to promote the wellness and development of children and adolescents, while fostering more culturally affirming, inclusive, and equitable learning environments. As professional school counselors, graduates will be positioned as advocates and leaders that promote student success, caregiver and community connections, and systemic change.
As a nationally accredited school counseling program (CACREP) that is fully aligned with current California CTC PPS School Counseling Program Standards, students will complete a minimum of 60 graduate units. Much of the school counseling coursework is designed to build a foundation of core counseling skills, in addition to school counseling specific courses and fieldwork opportunities. Full-time students typically complete the school counseling program in two years. School counseling students may also choose to complete the program on a part-time schedule or add an emphasis for additional expertise in areas such as college counseling or clinical mental health counseling.
School counseling graduates will demonstrate knowledge and skills in the following California CTC PPS School Counseling Program Standards:
- Foundations of School Counseling Professional Standards
- Professionalism, Ethics, and Legal Mandates
- Student Academic Development
- Student College and Career Development
- Social and Emotional Development
- Growth and Development, Learning Theory, and Academic Achievement
- Leadership and Advocacy in Social Justice, Equity, and Access
- Program Development
- Research, Program Evaluation, and Technology
Upon completion of all credentialing requirements through the school counseling program, graduates will be recommended for a PPS credential in school counseling to the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
Molly Strear
Associate Professor
School Counseling and PPSC Program 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)
Practical experience in the field of school counseling is integrated with academic study throughout the program. During the first fieldwork experience, school counseling students will spend 15 hours a week in supervised practice in a PK–12 school setting. In the second year of fieldwork, school counseling students will spend 15 hours per week in supervised fieldwork in a different PK–12 school setting. The California School Counseling fieldwork requirements are as follows:
- A minimum of eight hundred (800) clock hours of field practice are required in a PK–12 school setting in direct contact with students.
- Fieldwork must be provided in at least two of three school levels (elementary, middle and/or high school) with a minimum of 200 hours at each setting.
- At least 150 fieldwork hours must include students from diverse backgrounds (e.g., students with diverse racial and ethnic identities, English learners, transgender and gender diverse youth, youth experiencing housing instability, youth in the foster care system, youth with disabilities).
- Fieldwork hours must include a minimum of 100 hours of experience in each of the following domains: social/emotional, college/career, and academic counseling.
- A minimum of 20 small group counseling sessions and/or classroom lessons.
In the final semester at SFSU, school counseling students must obtain a Credential Application Packet from the College of Education Graduate Services Center. Please email credinfo@sfsu.edu for general credentialing questions.
The following state requirements are mandated for anyone applying for a credential in a California public school:
- Fingerprinting (application for character and identification clearance). This must be done before starting to work in any California public school.
- Evidence of a current TB test with negative results.
- Basic Skills Requirement. It is suggested that applicants and school counseling students go to the CCTC website and review the Options for Meeting the Basic Skills Requirement early in the program to avoid a delay in the credential application process.
- A credential processing fee.
- A CAP (Credential Approved Program) accompanied by one (1) unofficial transcript submitted to the School Specialization Coordinator in the Department of Counseling for review and signature. This signed form will be included in the final Credential Application Packet.
- One (1) unofficial transcript.
Once the above materials are completed for the Credential Application Packet:
- please email credexit@sfsu.edu for last names beginning with A-K
- please email marxel@sfsu.edu for last names beginning with L-Z
Any questions regarding your credential after you leave the university should be directed to the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing at:
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 705 | Counseling Practicum | 3 |
| COUN 706 | Counseling Skills and Process | 3 |
| COUN 715 | Assessment in Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 716 | Professional Seminar I - Structural Elements in School Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 717 | Professional Seminar II - Functional Elements in School Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 718 | Professional Seminar III - Professional Issues in School Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 720 | Career Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 736 | Advanced Counseling Process | 3 |
| COUN 738 or COUN 858 | Addictions | Couple and Family Counseling I | 3 |
| COUN 741 | Crisis Counseling for Counselors | 3 |
| 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 for Counselors | 3 |
| 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 716 | Professional Seminar I- Structural Elements | 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 | 3 |
| Coun 717 | Professional Seminar II Functional Elements | 3 |
| Coun 736 | Advanced Counseling Process & Internship | 3 |
| Coun 794 | Seminar in Research | 3 |
3rd Semester - Fall
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Coun 720 | Career Counseling | 3 |
| Coun 718 | Professional Seminar III Prof. Issues | 3 |
| Coun 811 | Group Counseling Process | 3 |
| Coun 833 | Social/Cultural Foundations | 3 |
| Coun 890 | Integrative Counseling / Internship | 3 |
4th Semester - Spring
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Coun 715 | Assessment in Counseling | 3 |
| Coun 738 or 858 | Addictions or Couple & Family Counseling I | 3 |
| Coun 741 | Crisis Counseling | 3 |
| Coun 891 | Case Studies/Internship | 3 |
| Coun 892 | Culminating Experience | 3 |
1st Semester - Fall
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Coun 702 | Developmental Foundations | 3 |
| Coun 857 | Law and Ethics for Counselors | 3 |
| Coun 833 | Social/Cultural Foundations | 3 |
2nd Semester - Spring
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Coun 700 | Theories of Counseling | 3 |
| Coun 703 | Psychological Foundations | 3 |
| Coun 794 | Seminar in Research | 3 |
3rd Semester - Fall
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Coun 705 | Counseling Practicum | 3 |
| Coun 706 | Counseling Skills and Process | 3 |
| Coun 716 | Professional Seminar I- Structural Elements | 3 |
| Coun 720 | Career Counseling | 3 |
4th Semester - Spring
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Coun 715 | Assessment in Counseling | 3 |
| Coun 717 | Professional Seminar II Functional Elements | 3 |
| Coun 736 | Advanced Counseling Process & Internship | 3 |
| Coun 738 or 858 | Addictions or Couple & Family Counseling I | 3 |
5th Semester - Fall
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Coun 718 | Professional Seminar III Prof. Issues | 3 |
| Coun 811 | Group Counseling Process | 3 |
| Coun 890 | Integrative Counseling / Internship | 3 |
6th Semester - Spring
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Coun 741 | Crisis Counseling | 3 |
| Coun 891 | Case Studies/Internship | 3 |
| Coun 892 | Culminating Experience | 3 |