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
Frequently Asked Questions:
I'm interested. How should I proceed?
- If you wish to have an admissions packet mailed to you, please call the Kalmanovitz School of Education (KSOE) 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. Display, fill out & print application pdf.
- Additional application requirements & procedures
- After submitting your application, you need to schedule an interview with our Admissions Counselor, Kathryn Mehler-Clark. For School Psychology only, please meet with Amalia Aboitiz. Call KSOE at 925-631-4700, to make these appointments.
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.
DEADLINE FOR JANUARY TERM 2010:
- PPS Credential only applicants: All application materials must be received by Friday, November 20, 2009. An interview w/ Joel Gagnon must be completed by Friday, December 4, 2009.
- School Psychology: Fall Start Only. Application materials may be submitted year-round. Priority deadline for Fall 2010 is Friday, May 1, 2010. A final interview w/ Amalia Aboitiz will also be required.
- All other applicants: All application materials must be received by Friday, November 20, 2009. An interview w/ Kathryn Mehler-Clark must be completed by Friday, December 4, 2009.
DEADLINE FOR SPRING TERM 2010:
- PPS Credential only applicants: All application materials must be received by Friday, January 8, 2010. An interview w/ Joel Gagnon must be completed by Friday, January 15, 2010.
- School Psychology: Fall Start Only. Application materials may be submitted year-round. Priority deadline for Fall 2010 is Friday, May 1, 2010. A final interview w/ Amalia Aboitiz will also be required.
- All other applicants: All application materials must be received by Friday, January 8, 2010. An interview w/ Kathryn Mehler-Clark must be completed by Friday, January 15, 2010.
What about tuition and financial aid?
Tuition is $755.00 per unit for the 2009-2010 academic year.
Financial aid information, including Internet resources and scholarships offered by KSOE, is available online or at our reception desk (2nd floor FAH). For specific loan information and advice, contact the College’s Financial Aid Office at 925-631-4370.
NEW! The Division of Application and Awards for the National Health Service Corps Scholarship will be accepting Scholarship/Loan Repayment applications from June 2, 2009-Septmember 30, 2010 under the ARRA. The application review process will be on-going until ARRA funds run out. In exchange for 2 years of service at an eligible high-need site, the NHSC Loan Repayment program offers repayment of educational loans for clinicians who are providing full-time clinical services. Up to $50,000 (less if the total outstanding loan balance is lower than $50,000) towards qualifying educational loan debt is available. Clinicians who stay at their sites longer may be eligible to apply for additional years of support. (See link to NHSC LRP website above right.)
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.
