Information for students 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 Advisor: Shannon Sexton
Office: ED 1223
(818) 677-5719

Graduate Coordinator: Merril Simon

Program Advisors
Career Counseling: Merril Simon
College Counseling and Student Services: Merril Simon
Development, Learning, Instruction, and Evaluation: Adele Gottfried, Carolyn Jeffries, Pete Goldschmidt
Early Childhood Education: Carrie Rothstein-Fisch, Joannie Busillo-Aguayo
Marriage and Family Therapy: Stanley Charnofsky, Luis Rubalcava, Michael Laurent, Diane Gehart, Dana Stone
School Counseling: Charles Hanson, Shyrea Minton, Tovah Sands
School Psychology: Doris Jones-Nicol, Wilda Laija-Rodriguez, Alberto Restori

Graduates completing a master’s degree may qualify for positions in public schools, public mental health, 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) in either school counseling or school psychology and/or a license as a marriage and family therapist (LMFT), licensed professional counselor (LPCC) or educational psychologist.

The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs (CACREP), a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), has conferred accreditation on the following Master of Science degree options in the Department of Educational Psychology and Counseling: Career Counseling; College Counseling and Student Services; Marriage and Family Therapy; and School Counseling. The National Association of School Psychology (NASP) has conferred accreditation on the School Psychology Option program. The School Counseling and School Psychology Option programs also are accredited by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC) and all department programs are accredited by the National Council on the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and the Council for the Accreditation of Educators (CAEP).

State Licensure

Students seeking licensure as a marriage and family therapist (LMFT) must complete the 63-66 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 professional clinical counselor (LPCC) must complete the Master 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 of 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 (63-66 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 seeking licensure as an educational psychologist (LEP) must complete requirements for the School Psychology credential and subsequently meet additional fieldwork requirements.

For additional information on licensure, please contact the following advisors.
Marriage and Family Therapy: Stanley Charnofsky
School Psychology: Wilda Laija-Rodriguez, Alberto Restori
LPCC Licensure: Merril Simon

For general program advisement, please contact the following professors/program advisors.
Career Counseling: Merril Simon
College Counseling/Student Services: Merril Simon
Marriage and Family Therapy: Stanley Charnofsky
School Counseling: Tovah Sands
School Psychology: Wilda Laija-Rodriguez or Alberto Restori