the graduate counseling program
The mission of the Graduate Counseling Program is to prepare counselors to be competent practitioners and agents for positive personal and social change. Our program is designed for people who wish to work in schools, colleges, family service agencies, private practice, or a variety of other counseling settings. The Graduate Counseling Program will provide you with a foundation in theory, values, history, research and hands-on skills, offered within a holistic, humanistic framework. You'll become familiar with the evolving nature of the counseling profession and the needs of individuals, families, schools and communities. Our students do more than learn theory and technique, however — you will learn professional ethics, social responsibility, and how to understand and address the needs of an increasingly complex society.
"My experience was rewarding and provided the best possible preparation for the licensing board exams. the programs are professionally constructed. The classes are tailored to working with real-life clients, not just theoretical people in dry vignettes. The faculty is first-rate; each professor is an expert on his or her subject and is very accessible outside of class hours to provide additional support and guidance. [The staff] were very good at helping direct us to the appropriate field placement for our varied career goals. The graduates of SMC are all exceptionally suited to work with a variety of clients and are all well-equipped to hit the ground running. The training is superior, both from a theoretical and practical perspective."
- Tonya Lemmon, MFT, Graduate Counseling Program graduate
- If you wish to have an admissions packet mailed to you, please call the School of Education at 925-631-4700 or e-mail: soereq@stmarys-ca.edu
- You may apply for the Graduate Counseling Program with our online application or by submitting a hard copy to the School of Education.
- After submitting your application, you need to have an interview with our Admissions Counselor, Kathryn Mehler-Clark. For School Psychology, you will need to meet with Amalia Aboitiz. Call the School of Education, 925-631-4700, to make this appointment.
What are the application and admissions deadlines?
The Graduate Counseling Program (GCP) has year-round admissions, with the exception of School Psychology which only has a fall start. Those who are accepted to the program may begin their coursework at any of the four terms each year: fall semester; January Term (5 weeks); spring semester; summer term (6 weeks). We strongly encourage you to begin the application process several months before the term in which you want to begin the program.
SUMMER TERM 2008:
ALL application materials must be received by Friday, May 30, 2008.
FALL TERM 2008:
- PPS Credential only: All application materials including a PASS of the CBEST must be received by Wednesday, July 23, 2008. An interview w/ Amy Specter must be completed by Wednesday, August 13, 2008.
- School Psychology only: All application materials must be received by Monday, June 2, 2008. An interview w/ Amalia Aboitiz must be completed by Tuesday, July 15, 2008.
- All other applicants: All application materials must be received by Wednesday, July 23, 2008. An interview w/ Kathryn Mehler-Clark must be completed by Wednesday, August 13, 2008.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Tuition is $695.00 per unit for the 2007-2008 academic year.
Financial aid information, including Internet resources and scholarships offered by the School of Education (SOE), is available in the SOE front office. For loan information and applications, contact the College’s Financial Aid Office at 925-631-4370.
Is the GRE required?
No, the GRE is not required.
When are classes held?
Almost all Graduate Counseling Program (GCP) courses are held in the evenings on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday. Most of the 3-unit courses are held one evening a week, at the 4:15-7:00pm time slot or at the 7:15-10:00pm time slot. A few courses, such as COUN 520 and 521, are held on Saturdays. During the January and Summer Terms, class times vary, depending on the number of units. Almost all classes are held after 4pm on week nights and/or on Saturdays.
Where are classes held?
All GCP class sessions are held at the Saint Mary’s College campus in Moraga. We do not have any online courses or satellite locations.
May I attend the program full-time or part-time?
Yes. Candidates may enroll full- or part-time and can complete the General Master of Arts in Counseling or the Career Counseling or College Student Services specializations in a minimum of two years if they attend full-time. However, allowing three years to complete the MFT or the School Counseling specializations is advised. The School Psychology specialization requires three years, full-time.
Is it feasible to work full-time and go to school full-time?
Many of our students work, either full-time or part-time. We will help you design a Plan of Study that takes into account how much you work, as well as other personal and family responsibilities and activities. We do not recommend that students who work FT also go to school FT.
