School Counseling

The Master of Science in Counseling (School Counseling Option) and the Pupil Personnel Services School Counseling Credential Programs are designed to prepare counselors to work in elementary, middle, and high schools. Both programs support a comprehensive, developmental, and collaborative school counseling model. Based upon the American School Counselor Association’s (ASCA) National Standards for K-12 School Counseling Programs and their National Model, our programs further support a balanced, holistic approach that considers the academic, career development, and personal/social needs of K-12 students. Graduates are expected to become proactive leaders who will advocate for their students and themselves, as counseling professionals working toward equity, achievement, and opportunity for all students.

The Pupil Personnel Services School Counseling Credential (PPS/SC) is required by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC) for persons employed by the public schools as school counselors. Neither a Master’s Degree nor a teaching credential is required for school counseling positions in the State of California. However, in keeping with national standards, students entering the CSULB Pupil Personnel Services School Counseling Credential Program need to earn a Master of Science in Counseling (School Counseling Option) concurrently with the credential, unless they already have a Master’s Degree in Counseling from CSULB or another institution. Courses required for the Pupil Personnel Services School Counseling Credential are the same courses that are required for the Master of Science in Counseling (School Counseling Option). Thus, students seeking the Pupil Personnel Services School Counseling Credential are required to take all coursework required for the Master of Science in Counseling (School Counseling Option). Students entering the Master of Science in Counseling (School Option) program concurrently fulfill requirements for the Pupil Personnel Services School Counseling Credential.

Last update: 7/27/09