Mission Statement
The Department of Educational Psychology and Counseling prepares students for highly effective, ethical and satisfying careers as professional educators and counselors working with individuals, families and groups in educational, organizational and community settings. The aim of our programs is to reflect an ecological and developmental lifespan approach to theory, research and practice centered on the study and application of major concepts and skills from counseling, early childhood education, educational psychology and psychological foundations of education. Department faculty are committed to continuous evaluation and improvement of our courses and programs.
Academic Advisement
Information for students who are interested in department programs is available by accessing the website or by calling or visiting the graduate advisor and/or department office. Students admitted to a master’s degree, certificate or credential program should contact program coordinators for advisement. In addition, first-year practicum instructors serve as advisors for students in all master’s degree programs in Counseling.
Graduate Coordinator: Shyrea Minton
Program Advisors
- Career Counseling: Shyrea Minton
- College Counseling and Student Services: Shyrea Minton
- Early Childhood Education: Carrie Rothstein-Fisch, Joannie Busillo-Aguayo
- Marriage and Family Therapy: Diane Gehart, Mark Stevens, Dana Stone
- School Counseling: Shyrea Minton, Tovah Sands
- School Psychology: Wilda Laija-Rodriguez, Alberto Restori
Careers
Graduates completing a master’s degree may qualify for positions in public schools, public mental health facilities, community agencies, community colleges and universities, business and industry, career development, marriage and family therapy, private clinical practice, integrated medicine settings and related areas. With the completion of state requirements, students can receive a credential in Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) as either a School Counselor or in School Psychology and/or a license as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) or Licensed Educational Psychologist (LEP).
Accreditation
The National Association of School Psychology (NASP) has conferred accreditation on the School Psychology option program. The Marriage and Family Therapy program is accredited by the Commission for the Accreditation of Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE), the accrediting body associated with the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT). The School Counseling and School Psychology credential programs are accredited by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC).
State Licensure
Students who seek licensure as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) must complete the 63-67-unit Master of Science degree in Counseling, option in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT), and 3,000 hours of fieldwork and internship prior to applying for the state examination.
Students seeking future licensure as a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) must complete the Master of Science degree in Counseling with an option in one of the following: (a) Career Counseling, comprised of 60 units plus an 18 additional units for the LPCC totaling 78 units; (b) College Counseling/Student Services, comprised of 60 units plus 18 additional units for the LPCC totaling 78 units; (c) School Counseling, comprised of 55 units plus 24 additional units for the LPCC totaling 87 units; or (d) the master’s degree in Counseling option in MFT (63-67 units), which includes the LPCC units. In addition, 280 pre-master’s clinical hours and post-master’s hours (3,000 hours of fieldwork and internship) must be completed prior to applying for the state examination.
Students who seek licensure as a Licensed Educational Psychologist (LEP) must complete requirements for the School Psychology credential and subsequently meet additional fieldwork requirements.
For additional information on licensure, students should contact the following advisors:
- Marriage and Family Therapy: Diane Gehart
- School Psychology: Wilda Laija-Rodriguez or Alberto Restori
- LPCC Licensure: Shyrea Minton
For general program advisement, students should contact the following advisors:
- Career Counseling: Shyrea Minton
- College Counseling/Student Services: Shyrea Minton
- Marriage and Family Therapy: Diane Gehart
- School Counseling: Tovah Sands, Shyrea Minton
- School Psychology: Wilda Laija-Rodriguez or Alberto Restori
Contact
Department of Educational Psychology and Counseling
Chair: Alberto Restori
Education (ED) 1218
(818) 677-2599
epcadmin@csun.edu