Mar 28, 2024  
University Catalog 2014-2015 
    
University Catalog 2014-2015 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Counseling, M.S.


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The Master of Science degree in Counseling includes the following options:

  • Applied Behavior Analysis
  • Marriage and Family Therapy *
  • Rehabilitation Counseling
  • School Psychology

*Includes school counseling focus

Admission to the Program

In addition to University requirements for admission to graduate study, students must have a 2.75 grade point average in the last 90 quarter units attempted, submit the Division and College application forms, take additional examinations required by the Division, and be interviewed by the Division screening committee. Successful candidates are admitted to cohort groups and must take a prescribed sequence of cohort classess.

Applications are considered once a year for admission to the Fall Quarter. Applications must be submitted to the Division of Special Education and Counseling. Cohorts are admitted to the Fall Quarter of each year. Prospective candidates must check with the Division office for annual application deadlines. Late applications may be considered if space is available. Prior to admission to the program, graduate students are encouraged to obtain preliminary advisement and begin taking prerequisite and unrestricted courses, not to exceed 13 units. Upon acceptance, each student is assigned a faculty adviser and a cohort group. Admission is conditional until successful completion of COUN 505  and COUN 400A  or 500A  (School Psychology candidates must take COUN 500A) .

Requirements for the Degree (77 –123 units)


A total of 77-123 units are required, depending on the option, prior coursework, and culminating experience selected (Comprehensive Examination, Thesis or Project), with at least half of the units 500-level courses. The School Psychology option requires at least two-thirds of the units to be at the 500-level. The School Psychology option consists of a required core, other required courses, courses in self-development and special interest, and a comprehensive examination or thesis. There is a limit on credit that may be earned in variable-unit courses. See Restriction on Credit Earned in Variable Unit Courses in the Charter College of Education  section of the Academic Programs: College-based and University-wide chapter of this catalog.

Before students may take courses to meet the fieldwork requirement, they must be advanced to candidacy and must be recommended by their adviser. Written applications for fieldwork must be submitted to the Division Office during the fifth week of the quarter prior to the quarter in which the student desires a fieldwork placement. Fieldwork application forms are available in the Division Office for each option.

Students who select the comprehensive examination (COUN 596) must be advanced to candidacy and must comply with College and
Division requirements before enrolling to take the examination. These requirements include a formal application no later than the fifth week of the Summer Quarter for Fall Quarter examinations or the fifth week of the Winter Quarter for Spring Quarter examinations. This application is available in the Division Office.

Students having research interests are encouraged to undertake the thesis. Selecting the thesis/project option may increase the number of units required for completion of the program. Students are encouraged to begin thesis planning as soon as possible.

Dual Option Requirements


Students may complete the requirements for two options of the M.S. Degree in Counseling. In such a case, both options may be pursued either simultaneously or sequentially but formal admission to each option is required. Some courses can count toward both options, but by University policy, the second option must include at least 23 new units (or 50% of the program). In actual practice, the second option involves more than 23 units. Students should see advisers in both options to plan dual option requirements.

Options


Option in Applied Behavior Analysis (85-92 units)


(Without Emphasis in Pupil Personnel Services Credential with Advanced Authorization in School Counseling and Child Welfare and Attendance)

The program is designed for graduate students who plan to work as behavior analysts, case managers or consultants, and for those who elect to specialize in the behavioral area for doctoral training.

Prerequisites (11 units)


May be met by the following courses or other current or prior coursework with adviser approval.

Self-Development and Special Interest (8 units)


 Select 8 units related to your program with adviser approval.

Option in Marriage and Family Therapy (91-98 units)


(Without the Emphasis in Pupil Personnel Services Credential with Advanced Authorization in School Counseling and Child Welfare and Attendance)

This option is designed to train family systems oriented counselors who are eligible to apply for licensure in California as a Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT). It meets state requirements for licensure in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) as outlined in the Business and Professions Code, Section 4980.37. Students fulfill degree requirements by completing the required 23 units in the required core, plus option requirements of 62 units, and completing either a thesis/project or comprehensive examination.

Prerequisites (15 units)


May be met by the following courses or other current or prior coursework with adviser approval.

Self-Development and Special Interest (6 units)


Option in Marriage and Family Therapy (105-112 units)


(With the Emphasis in Pupil Personnel Services Credential with Advanced Authorization in School Counseling and Child Welfare and Attendance)

School-Based Family Counseling (105-112 units) Students may elect to complete training in School-Based Family Counseling and qualify for the Pupil Personnel Services Credential with Advanced Authorization in School
Counseling and Child Welfare and Attendance Services in addition to the Masters Degree by completing the following:

Note:

An extensive MFCC Handbook, containing detailed description of the program, required form for registering with the Board of Behavioral Science Examiners, and the Site Practicum Manual is available in the division office.

Self-Development and Special Interest (6 units)


Option in Rehabilitation Counseling (77 to 84)


The Rehabilitation Counseling program prepares students to: a) function effectively as professional rehabilitation counselors in a variety of employment settings; and b) develop their own skills to function effectively at the time of graduation and beyond as the profession changes. Rehabilitation counselors must be knowledgeable in vocational and personal potentialities in order to carry on their main function of helping individuals to achieve satisfaction in areas including work, education, and personal social functioning. The program is accredited by the Council of Rehabilitation Education (CORE). The Master of Science degree in Counseling: Option in Rehabilitation offers concentrations in Student Development Counseling and in Transition Services.

Note:


Graduates of the CSULA BS in Rehabilitation Services may complete the MS program with 63 minimum units.

Prerequisites (7 units)


May be met by the following course or other current or prior coursework with adviser approval.

Self-Development and Special Interest (6 units)


Concentrations:


Student Development Counseling

(81 to 88 units depending on prior coursework)

The Student Development Counseling Concentration in the Rehabilitation Counseling program is designed to train students to work in higher education colleges and universities with an emphasis in disability. These students will be competent in: 1) providing and designing effective counseling services to higher education students; 2) evaluating social, psychological, educational, vocational and cultural issues as related to students with and without disabilities; and 3) assisting students to make the transition from high school to post-secondary education and beyond.

Rehabilitation Counseling students with a concentration in Student Development Counseling must take COUN 510  and 587  for the “Self-Development and Special Interest” requirement in the required core.

Transition Services (52 units)

The Transition Services Concentration in the Rehabilitation Counseling program trains transition specialists to be competent in: 1) providing and designing appropriate and effective transition services to secondary students with disabilities; 2) evaluating transition plans in light of collaboration among professionals including business and community leaders as well as parents, teachers, and other related service professionals in the multicultural/multilingual urban setting; and 3) conducting research in the transition field.

Rehabilitation Counseling students with a concentration in Transition Services must take EDSP 581  and 584  for the “Self-Development and Special Interest” requirement in the required core.

Option in School Psychology (116 to 123)


School psychologists focus on the psychoeducational development of individuals from birth to age 21, their abilities and potentialities, biological, emotional, behavioral, and cultural factors that influence the learning process. Students who earn the master’s degree with this option also qualify for the Pupil Personnel Services credential with advanced specialization in School Psychology and advanced specialization in Child Welfare and Attendance Services. Students in this option should see information below regarding the School Psychology Internship Credential. For accreditation reasons, undergraduate student access to 500-level courses in this program is not permitted.

Note:


School psychology students must take COUN 500A  rather than COUN 400A  in the core.

Self-Development and Special Interest (3 units)


Selected with the approval of the advisor.

Note:

An internship manual, which contains guidelines, procedures, and other information, is available in the Division Office. School Psychology candidates must attempt the National School Psychology Examination Administered by Educational Testing Service (ETS/PRAXIS II #10400) as part of the degree and credential requiremen.

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