SDHE Frequently Asked Questions:

1. Do I need to take the GRE?

No. There are no examinations required for admission to the SDHE program.

2. What is the GPA requirement?

The College of Education requires a minimum GPA of 2.85 on the last 60 semester (90 quarter) units versus the University requirement of 2.50.

3. What if my undergraduate GPA was low? Will I have a chance to be admitted?

The admission committee uses a holistic evaluation process. Each applicant's documents are carefully considered. Special action is required if an applicant's GPA is below 2.85 in the last 60 credits. Thus, the committee looks for outstanding letters of recommendation, previous experience in the field, and written statements of exceptional quality.

4. What are the requirements for the program?

The SDHE program requires a minimum of 51 units and at least 57 units if the student chooses to write a thesis. The coursework may be completed in a two- or three-year sequence. Core requirements are completed in the first year. After successfully advancing to candidacy, students complete content courses in counseling, leadership, and student development theory as well as a supervised fieldwork experience.

For specific information about courses and other requirements, please consult the SDHE application and CSULB Catalog. The application, in PDF format, may be found at: http://www.ced.csulb.edu/graduate/documents/sdhe_app_pack_2010.pdf

5. Are there any prerequisites or courses I can transfer in to this program?

There are no prerequisites for SDHE courses. Students are admitted in a cohort each fall and take their courses together throughout the program to enhance the learning experience. Occasionally applicants may have completed a student development course from another institution. A faculty advisor can assist applicants in determining if prior coursework is eligible for transfer.

6. Are there any assistantships or scholarships?

SDHE does not have a formal assistantship program that arranges assistantships for students at the time of admissions. However, after admission decisions are made, faculty inform students about assistantship, part-time and full-time employment opportunities at CSULB andat colleges and universities in the area. Nearly all students who wish to have employment are employed within the first semester of enrollment. There are scholarships available. The CSULB College of Education provides scholarship information and an on-line application, available at: http://www.ced.csulb.edu/scholarships

7. What time of day are the classes? Can I work while doing this program?

Classes are designed for working professionals and are offered in the evening. Most SDHE students are employed at local colleges and universities. Course scheduling varies by semester; however, classes typically do not begin prior to 4 p.m.

8. Do you admit part-time students?

No. Each fall semester we admit a cohort of students who intend to study full-time. In order to sustain the cohort learning community and to complete the program in a timely fashion, full-time status is strongly encouraged after admission. Based on individual circumstances in a given semester, students can take less than a full-time load.

9. Are graduates of this program sufficiently documented in order to work at the community college level?

SDHE is one of three Master's of Science in Counseling degrees offered by the CSULB College of Education. By earning a counseling degree, our graduates are eligible to secure employment as counselors in California community colleges.

10. May I schedule an appointment to speak with a faculty member?

Yes. We welcome inquiries about the SDHE program. Please contact the admission coordinator of the program, Dr. Jonathan O'Brien, at jobrien@csulb.edu or (562) 985-8593. If possible, make your initial inquiry via e-mail to receive the quickest reply.

11. When is the deadline to apply?

To receive full consideration for Fall 2010 admission completed applications must be received by the College of Education Office of Graduate Research by 5:00 p.m. PST on February 15, 2010. Please consult the application materials for details.

Last update: 11/3/09