This is an archive of the 2018-2019 University Catalog.
To access the most recent version, Please visit catalog.csun.edu.

Program: M.S., Counseling

College Counseling and Student Services

Program Description

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.

The Master of Science (M.S.) in Counseling with an option in CCSS is a full-time program designed to prepare students for career opportunities in higher education, with particular emphasis on positions serving university and community college students on urban campuses. Special attention is given to working with diverse student populations, including returning, historically underrepresented and disabled students. This program is designed for two types of students: (1) those individuals who desire training for entry-level positions in student affairs, and (2) those who are already experienced professionals in student affairs and wish to increase their theoretical background and range of experience. This program meets the accreditation standards of and is approved by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Graduates are eligible to take the National Counselor’s Examination (NCE) to qualify for certification as a National Certified Counselor (NCC). 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 college counseling/student services coursework and complete additional clinical fieldwork/internship within the master’s degree program and a state examination.

Program Requirements

A. Admission Requirements for Classified Standing

  1. Complete University application and requirements.
    1. Have earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university.
    2. Have been in good standing at the last institution attended.
    3. Have at least a 2.5 GPA in the last 60 semester/90 quarter units attempted.
    4. 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.
    5. Pass Upper Division Writing Proficiency Exam by earning a score of 8 or higher.
  2. Complete Department application for admission to graduate programs.
    1. Submit two recommendations, either as letters or on the departmental form.
    2. Participate in the admission’s interview process.
    3. Be accepted by Departmental Student Affairs Committee.
  3. Complete all required prerequisite courses with a grade of “B-” or better within the past 7 years. (Equivalent courses may be substituted for prerequisites.)
    1. EPC 430 Development and Learning in Early Childhood Education (3)
    2. EPC 451 Fundamentals of Counseling and Guidance (3)
    3. EPC 600 Educational Statistics for Research and Measurement (3)
    4. PSY 310 Abnormal Psychology (3)

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 (20 units)

EPC 609 Human Development: A Life-Span Perspective (3)
EPC 620 College Counseling and Student Services Profession (3)
EPC 622 American College Student and Campus Environment (3)
EPC 659JB Fieldwork in College Counseling and Student Services (2)
EPC 659JC Fieldwork in College Counseling and Student Services (3)
EPC 659KC Fieldwork in College Counseling and Student Services (3)
EPC 690 Advanced Fieldwork and Professional Development (2)
EPC 695S Capstone: College Counseling and Student Services (3)

3. Electives (1 unit)

Electives approved by the program coordinator.

4. Culminating Experience (9 units)

C. Suggested Sequence of Courses by Semester

Summer 1: EPC 657A, EPC 671
Semester 1: EPC 622, EPC 655, EPC 659A, EPC 659JB
Semester 2: EPC 602, EPC 620, EPC 643, EPC 659B
Summer 2: EPC 609, EPC 690
Semester 3: EPC 601, EPC 658/L, EPC 659JC, EPC 696
Semester 4: EPC 659KC, EPC 695S, EPC 696; EPC 697 or EPC 698C
Add a 1- to 3-unit elective during second semester or later.

Total Units Required for the M.S. Degree: 60

Contact

Department of Educational Psychology and Counseling
Chair: Alberto Restori
Education (ED) 1218
(818) 677-2599
(818) 677-2601

Graduate Coordinator: Shyrea Minton
(818) 677-4976

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:

  1. Develop and apply expertise in their fields of study.
  2. Think critically and engage in reflective, ethical and legal practice throughout their education and professional lives.
  3. 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.
  4. Communicate effectively using oral, written, listening and nonverbal attending and observational skills.
  5. 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.
  6. Collaborate skillfully and respectfully as leaders, consultants and team members in a variety of settings.
  7. Develop skills necessary to assess and evaluate individuals and groups and to utilize current technology in work environments.
  8. Maintain a multicultural and global perspective, emphasizing social justice, gender and educational equity, access and support.
  9. View their roles as preventative, educative and therapeutic in promoting well-being, healthy relationships, academic success and career mastery.
  10. Provide service through a wide variety of field-based partnerships informed by theory, research and practice.
  11. 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.
  12. 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.