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.
- Career Counseling
- College Student Services
- General
- Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT license preparation)
- School Counseling (Pupil Personnel Services Credential)
- School Psychology (Pupil Personnel Services Credential)
Requirements
Pre-requisite Course: (Required for all M.A. Counseling specializations except School Psychology)
- COUN 500 Introduction to Counseling Research, 1 unit
Required Core Courses (35 Units) (Required for all M.A. Counseling specializations except School Psychology)
- 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
- COUN 550 Counseling Master’ Project or Thesis, 3 units
Total Core Units: 35
Career Counseling (44 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), 35 units
- COUN 232: Career Counseling, 3 units
- COUN 530: Counseling Field Experience, 6 units
Minimum Total Units, 44
College Student Services (47 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), 35 units
- COUN 232: Career Counseling, 3 units
- COUN 242: College Student Services, 3 units
- COUN 530: Counseling Field Experience, 6 units
Minimum Total Units: 47
General (41+ 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 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.
Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT license preparation)
(56 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), 35 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 units
COUN 530 Counseling Field Experience, 6 units
Minimum Total Units: 56
School Counseling: Pupil Personnel Services Credential (PPS)
(55 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).
Core Courses (listed above), 35 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: 55
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).
(The School Psychology specialization is a 3-year, full-time course of study unique from the others)
COUN 520 Communication Skills, 3 units
COUN 233 Law and Ethics, 3 units
COUN 248 Human Development, 3 units
COUN 230 Theories of Counseling, 3 units
COUN 521 Advanced Communication Skills, 3 units COUN 527 SP Practicum, 1 unit COUN 522 Cross-Cultural Counseling, 3 units
COUN 290 SP Introduction to Psychological Assessment, 3 units
COUN 523 Group Theory and Practice, 3 units
COUN 524 Systems Consultation, 3 units
EDUC 210 Learning, Development, and 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 Advanced Fieldwork Seminar & Supervision 1, 3 units
COUN 251 Treatment of Children, 3 units
SPED 230 Introduction to Inclusive Education, 3 units
COUN 292 SP Personality Assessment, 3 units
COUN 540 SP Advanced Fieldwork Seminar & Supervision II, 3 units
EDUC 572 Research Methods, 3 units
READ 223 Balance Reading Theory, 3 units
COUN 541 SP Culminating Field Experience and Seminar I, 3 units
EDUC 582 Literature Review & Proposal Writing, 2 units
COUN 550 Master’s Project or Thesis, 3 units
SPED 233 Behavioral Support in the Learning Environment, 3 units
COUN 541 SP Culminating Field Experience & Seminar II , 3 units
Minimum Total Units: 72
