Program: M.S., Counseling
Career Counseling
Overview
The Master of Science (M.S.) in Counseling offers five options: (1) Career Counseling, (2) College Counseling and Student Services, (3) Marriage and Family Therapy, (4) School Counseling and (5) School Psychology. Students must successfully complete all prerequisite courses before formal admittance to a master’s degree program. Only students admitted to a Master of Science degree program may take classes in that program.
In addition, by separate (second year) application and limited admission, the Professional Clinical Counseling sub-option to the M.S. in Career, College Counseling and Student Services, or School Counseling programs may be added to those degree options as partial qualification for professional clinical licensure in California.
This option within the Master of Science (M.S.) in Counseling offers graduate-level training in career counseling theory, career resources and program development, approaches to developing organizational-based career development programs, consulting, individual and group career assessment, ethical and legal issues, and the career development of special populations. These areas have been identified by the National Career Development Association (NCDA) as essential competency areas for individuals to qualify for national certifications as a Master Career Counselor (MCC). Graduates are eligible to take the National Counselor’s Examination (NCE) to qualify for certification as a National Certified Counselor (NCC). Graduates may also choose to pursue certification as a Master Career Counselor through the National Career Development Association. For those graduates with an interest in preparing for a clinical practice as a psychotherapist, the option of becoming a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) is available. Graduates preparing to be licensed will have to complete additional coursework beyond the career counseling coursework and complete additional clinical fieldwork/internship and a state examination. Graduates of the program will be prepared for employment as career counselors in the following settings: education (community colleges, colleges and universities); business, industry and government; community-based agencies and organizations; career counseling/consulting firms; and private practice as a career counselor. This program meets the accreditation standards of and is approved by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).
Program Requirements
A. Admission Requirements for Classified Standing
- Complete University application and requirements.
- Have earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university.
- Have been in good standing at the last institution attended.
- Have at least a 2.5 GPA in the last 60 semester/90 quarter units attempted.
- If cumulative undergraduate GPA is less than 3.0, score at or above the 50th percentile on one of the three sections of the aptitude test of the Graduate Record Examination (i.e., verbal, quantitative or analytical) or on the Miller Analogies Test (MAT). Applicants to the School Psychology Program are required to take the GRE or MAT.
- Pass Upper Division Writing Proficiency Exam by earning a score of 8 or higher.
- Complete Department application for admission to graduate programs.
- Submit two recommendations, either as letters or on the departmental form.
- Participate in the admission’s interview process.
- Be accepted by Departmental Student Affairs Committee.
- Complete all required prerequisite courses with a grade of “B-” or better within the past 7 years. (Equivalent courses may be substituted for prerequisites.)
B. Requirements for the Master of Science Degree in Counseling
1. Core Program (21 units)
EPC 601 Individual and Group Assessment (3)
EPC 602 Research Principles (3)
EPC 643 Diversity in Counseling (3)
EPC 655 Seminar in Counseling Theory and Practice (3)
EPC 657A Seminar in Career Counseling Theory (3)
EPC 659A Communication Skills in Counseling (3)
EPC 659B Practicum in Counseling (3)
2. Option (31 units)
EPC 607 Motivation in Learning and Development: Theories and Application in Educational Psychology (3)
or EPC 622 American College Student and Campus Environment (3)
EPC 609 Human Development: A Life-Span Perspective (3)
EPC 653 Measurement for School and Career Counseling (3)
EPC 657B Seminar in Career Counseling Resources (3)
EPC 658/L Seminar in Group Counseling and Lab (3/1)
EPC 659CC Field Work in Counseling Services (3)*
EPC 659DC Field Work in Counseling Services (3)*
EPC 660 Counseling for Career Adjustment and Change (3)
EPC 662 Current Issues in Career Education and Counseling (3)
or SPED 622 Career Education for Learners with Special Needs (3)
EPC 671 Laws, Ethics and Professional Issues in Counseling (3)
MGT 620 Behavior in Organizations (3)
or EPC 695S Capstone: College Counseling and Student Services (3)
or SOC 400 Organizational Theory (3)
*Course may be repeated.
3. Electives (0-2 units)
Electives approved by the program coordinator.
4. Culminating Experience (3-6 units)
EPC 697 Directed Comprehensive Studies (3)
or EPC 698C Thesis/Graduate Project (3-6)
C. Suggested Sequence of Courses by Semester
Semester 1: EPC 601, 655, 657A, 659A
Semester 2: EPC643, 653, 657B, 659B
Semester 3: EPC 609, 658/L, 659C; EPC 622 or MGT 620 or SOC 400
Semester 4: EPC 602, 607, 659D; EPC 662 or 695S or SPED 622
Semester 5: EPC 660; EPC 697 or 698C
Total Units Required for the M.S. Degree: 60
Contact
Chair: Shari Tarver-Behring
Education (ED) 1218
(818) 677-2599
(818) 677-2601
www.csun.edu/coe/epc
Graduate Coordinator: Merril Simon
Staff Advisor: Shannon Sexton
(818) 677-5719
Email: epcdept@csun.edu
Student Learning Outcomes
To fulfill the department mission, faculty engages in University and professional activities to develop and provide undergraduate and graduate programs for the preparation of professionals. At the conclusion of their program of study, students will be able to:
- Develop and apply expertise in their fields of study.
- Think critically and engage in reflective, ethical and legal practice throughout their education and professional lives.
- Develop empathetic, respectful and congruent interpersonal skills and abilities to work successfully with groups and individuals from diverse backgrounds in educational, community and mental health settings.
- Communicate effectively using oral, written, listening and nonverbal attending and observational skills.
- Become information-competent scholars and researchers capable of utilizing current technology in work environments, while engaging in and disseminating creative, empirical and applied research studies and program evaluations.
- Collaborate skillfully and respectfully as leaders, consultants and team members in a variety of settings.
- Develop skills necessary to assess and evaluate individuals and groups and to utilize current technology in work environments.
- Maintain a multicultural and global perspective, emphasizing social justice, gender and educational equity, access and support.
- View their roles as preventative, educative and therapeutic in promoting well-being, healthy relationships, academic success and career mastery.
- Provide service through a wide variety of field-based partnerships informed by theory, research and practice.
- Act as advocates with initiative, perception and vision to lead and transform the practices and policies of those who provide services to individuals, families, schools, organizations, communities and policymakers.
- Pursue lifelong professional and personal development through such mediums as continuing education, information, technology, psychological counseling, participation and leadership in professional organizations, and doctoral study.