Saint Mary's College Of California

the master of arts in counseling

The Master of Arts in Counseling has six areas of specialization. Students may complete more than one specialization by taking additional courses and fulfilling the appropriate field experience requirements.

 

Requirements

Required Core Courses (39 Units) (Required for all M.A. Counseling specializations except School Psychology)

  • COUN 500      Introduction to Counseling Research, 1 unit
  • COUN 222      Personal and Professional Development of Counselors, 3 units
  • COUN 230      Theories of Counseling, 3 units
  • COUN 233      Law, Ethics, and Values, 3 units
  • COUN 234      Human Sexuality, 1 unit
  • COUN 237      Alcohol & Substance Abuse, 2 units
  • COUN 239      Psychological Perspectives of Gender, 2 units
  • COUN 240      Psychological Testing and Assessment, 3 units
  • COUN 248      Human Development and Family Relationships, 3 units
  • COUN 520      Communication Skills, 3 units
  • COUN 521      Advanced Communication Skills, 3 units
  • COUN 522      Cross Cultural Counseling, 3 units
  • COUN 523      Group Theory and Practice, 3 units
  • EDUC 572       Research Seminar I, 3 units
  • COUN 550      Counseling Master’s Project or Thesis, 3 units
    Total Core Units: 39

Career Counseling (48 units)

The Career Counseling specialization will provide you with a broad background in counseling and more specific training in career counseling and related services. Required courses include the following:

  • Core courses (listed above), 39 units
  • COUN 232: Career Counseling, 3 units
  • COUN 530: Counseling Field Experience, 6 units
    Minimum Total Units, 48

College Student Services (51 units)

The Master of Arts degree in Counseling with a specialization in College Student Services is designed to provide students with a broad background in counseling and more specific training in college student services.

  • Core Courses (listed above), 39 units
  • COUN 232: Career Counseling, 3 units
  • COUN 242: College Student Services, 3 units
  • COUN 530: Counseling Field Experience, 6 units

                   Minimum Total Units: 51

General (45 units)

A general Master of Arts degree in Counseling is best suited for those candidates who want a master’s degree in counseling and who are not interested in one of the specilaizations- career counseling, college student services, obtaining a PPS credential or pursuing the MFT license. Students arrange a plan of study and counseling field placement appropriate to their career objectives, such as preparation for doctoral studies.

  • Core courses (listed above), 39 units
  • COUN 530: Counseling Field Experience, 6 units

                  Minimum Total Units: 45

Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT license preparation)
(60 units)

The Master of Arts degree in Counseling with a specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) provides the educational requirements necessary to pursue an MFT internship upon graduation and, upon completing the required clinical experience, to apply for California's Board of Behavioral Science MFT license exams.

  • Core Courses (listed above), 39 units
  • COUN 245      Psychopathology, 3 units
  • COUN 247      Theory and Practice of Counseling Couples, 2 units
  • COUN 250      Family Systems Theories and Applications, 3 units
  • COUN 251      Treatment of Children, 3 units
  • COUN 252      Advanced Clinical Theory and Application, 3 units
  • COUN 303      Family Violence: Assessment and Treatment, 1 unit
  • COUN 530      Counseling Field Experience, 6 units
    Minimum Total Units: 60              

School Counseling: Pupil Personnel Services Credential (PPS)
(59 units)

The Master of Arts degree in Counseling with a specialization in Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) School Counseling fulfills the requirements for the California PPS Credential with a specialization in School Counseling (grades K-12). Please refer to Frequently Asked Questions for additional information on the Post-Masters PPS Credential Only course of study.

  • Core Courses (listed above), 39 units
  • COUN 231      School Counseling Practicum, 2 units
  • COUN 232      Career Counseling, 3 units
  • COUN 251      Treatment of Children, 3 units
  • COUN 253      School Counseling: Issues and Interventions, 3 units
  • COUN 254      Systems Consultation, 3 units
  • COUN 530      Counseling Field Experience, 6 units
    Minimum Total Units: 59

School Psychology: Pupil Personnel Services Credential (PPS)
(72 units)

The Master of Arts degree in Counseling with a specialization in Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) School Psychology fulfills the requirements for the California PPS Credential with a specialization in School Psychology (preschool-12). Please refer to Frequently Asked Questions for additional information on the Post-Masters PPS Credential Only course of study.

  • Core Courses - 27 units listed above (COUN 230, 233, 248, 520, 521, 522, 523, 572, 550)   
  • COUN 527      SP Practicum/Seminar, 1 unit
  • COUN 290      SP Introduction to Psychological Assessment, 3 units
  • COUN 524      Systems Consultation, 3 units
  • EDUC 210       Learning, Dev., & Cognition in the Social Context, 3 units
  • COUN 291      SP Neuro-cognitive Assessment, 3 units
  • COUN 246      SP Child/Adolescent Psychopathology, 3 units
  • COUN 540      SP Fieldwork Seminar & Supervision I & II, 6 units
  • COUN 251      Treatment of Children, 3 units
  • SPED 230       Introduction to Inclusive Education, 3 units
  • COUN 292      SP Assessment of Social & Emotional Functioning, 3 units
  • READ 255       Diagnostic Teaching, 3 units
  • COUN 541      SP Internship and Seminar I & II, 6 units
  • EDUC 582       Research Seminar II, 3 units
  • SPED 233       Behavioral Support in the Learning Environment, 3 units
    Minimum Total Units: 73

Saint Mary's College of California
Saint Mary's College of California