Master of Arts in Counseling

Career Counseling

You found your perfect career. Now you can help others find theirs. An MA in Counseling, with a specialization in Career Counseling, gives you the tools you need to help students discover their path in life.

This specialization will give you a broad background in counseling, as well as more specific training in career counseling and related services.

What courses will you take?

The 40 units of core courses, plus 8 units, below, for a minimum 48 units:

COUN 239: Psychological Perspectives of Gender (2 units): Introduction to psychology of gender, with emphasis on psycho-social effects of genderization of women and men from an ecosystemic, multicultural, and feminist perspective. Attention is paid to gender-specific issues pertinent to mental health and well-being.
COUN 530: Counseling Field Experience (1-3 units each term; 6 units total): Students are engaged in fieldwork in clinical, school or college settings appropriate to department specialization(s) and career objectives. Weekly seminars held for specific specializations. Supervision provided by Counseling Department campus supervisors and department-approved field supervisors

Cohort plans of study

General Counseling

With a general MA in Counseling, you will acquire the necessary skills and field experience to help propel you into a prosperous and fulfilling career — or provide a solid foundation for you to apply to a doctorate-level program.

What courses will you take?

The 40 units of core courses, plus 8 units (below), for a minimum of 48 units:

COUN 239: Psychological Perspectives of Gender (2 units): Introduction to psychology of gender, with emphasis on psycho-social effects of genderization of women and men from an ecosystemic, multicultural, and feminist perspective. Attention is paid to gender-specific issues pertinent to mental health and well-being.
COUN 530: Counseling Field Experience (1-3 units each term; 6 units total): Students are engaged in fieldwork in clinical, school or college settings appropriate to department specialization(s) and career objectives. Weekly seminars held for specific specializations. Supervision provided by Counseling Department campus supervisors and department-approved field supervisors.

Cohort plans of study

Choose your own field placement

After certain requirements are met, you will work with a General Counseling Advisor to find the field placement that most interests you. The choice is yours!

“How many hours are required?”

You will work 600 hours of field placement over the course of the program.

Higher Education & Student Affairs

Higher Education & Student Affairs (HESA)

College students are ready to set the world on fire, and you can help ignite that flame. An MA in Counseling, with a specialization in Higher Education and Student Affairs, provides the knowledge and training to support and guide students in choosing the right career path and educational program.

What courses will you take?

The 40 units of core courses, plus 18 units (below), for a minimum of 58 units:

COUN 242: Foundations of Higher Education and Student Services (Pre/coreqs: COUN 230 & 500) (3 units)
COUN 239: Psychological Perspectives of Gender (2 units): Introduction to psychology of gender, with emphasis on psycho-social effects of genderization of women and men from an ecosystemic, multicultural, and feminist perspective. Attention is paid to gender-specific issues pertinent to mental health and well-being.
COUN 243: Social Justice in Higher Education: Theory, Practice and Research (3 units)
COUN 245: Psychopathology (3 units)
COUN 308: Addictions, Dual-Diagnoses and Recovery-Oriented Treatment (1 unit)
COUN 530: Counseling Field Experience (1-3 units each term; 6 units total): Students are engaged in fieldwork in clinical, school or college settings appropriate to department specialization(s) and career objectives. Weekly seminars held for specific specializations. Supervision provided by Counseling Department campus supervisors and department-approved field supervisors.

Cohort plans of study

HESA / PCC

Higher Education & Student Affairs/Professional Clinical Counseling (HESA/PCC)

If you enjoy counseling students as much as you like clinical work, consider the Master of Arts in Counseling, with a specialization in Higher Education & Student Affairs/Professional Clinical Counseling — formerly College Student Services/Professional Clinical Counseling.

Upon graduation, you will be able to pursue a PCC internship. Once you complete the required clinical experience, you can apply for California’s Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) PCC license exam.

Required courses:

The 40 units of core courses, plus 29 units of courses below:

COUN 239: Psychological Perspectives of Gender (2 units): Introduction to psychology of gender, with emphasis on psycho-social effects of genderization of women and men from an ecosystemic, multicultural, and feminist perspective. Attention is paid to gender-specific issues pertinent to mental health and well-being.
COUN 242: Foundations of Higher Education and Student Services (Pre/coreqs: COUN 230 & 500) (3 units)
COUN 243: Social Justice in Higher Education: Theory, Practice & Research
(Prerequisites: COUN 230, 233, 242, 248, 520 & 521; pre/coreq: COUN 522) (3 units)
COUN 245: Psychopathology (Prerequisite: COUN 520; pre/coreq: COUN 230) (3 units)
COUN 252: Advanced Clinical Practice (Prerequisites: COUN 230, 248, 500, 520 & 521) (3 units)
COUN 255: Community Mental Health Counseling (Prerequisites: COUN 230, 248, 500, 521 & 522) (3 units)
COUN 303: Family Violence: Assessment & Treatment: (1 unit)
COUN 308: Addictions, Dual Diagnoses and Recovery-Oriented Treatment (Prerequisites: COUN 230, 233, 237, 245, 248, 520, 521 & 522; pre/coreq: COUN 522) (1 unit)
COUN 314: Psychopharmacology (Prerequisites: COUN 230, 245 & 520) (3 units)
COUN 566: Counseling Older Adults & Their Families (Prerequisites: COUN 230, 248, 520 & 521) (1 unit)
COUN 530: Counseling Field Experience (Prerequisites: COUN 222, 230, 233, 240, 245, 248, 500, 520, 521 & 522; pre/coreq for fall semester: COUN 232, 242, 523; pre/coreq for spring semester: COUN 234, 237, 243, 252, 255, 308, 314 & 566) (6 units)

Cohort plans of study

Tailored field placements

After you complete the requirements to start a field placement, our coordinators will work closely with you to find the setting that interests you most. Some options include:

College campus organizations
Counseling centers
Academic advising offices
Center for Latina/Latino students
Women resource centers
Transition programs, such as nonprofits that support students from high school through the first two years of college

“How long will I work in field placements?”
600 hours, of which 280 hours must be face-to-face.

“Will I be supervised?”
Yes, you will work with a clinician who has been licensed for a minimum of two years and has been approved by the Board of Behavioral Sciences. You will also receive supervision in your CD seminar class and from your CD Counseling Skills Supervisor.

Marriage & Family Therapy / PCC

Marriage & Family Therapy / Professional Clinical Counselor (MFT/PCC)

Today’s families face many stresses and challenges inside and outside the home. An MA in Counseling, with a specialization in Marriage & Family Therapy/Professional Clinical Counselor, gives you the skills, knowledge, and training to help make a positive difference in the lives of couples, parents and children.

This degree specialization provides the educational requirements necessary to pursue an MFT and/or PCC internship upon graduation. After completing the required clinical experience, you can apply for California's Board of Behavioral Science MFT and/or PCC license exams.

What courses will you take?

The 40 units of core courses, plus 28 units (below), for a minimum of 68 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 Practice (3 units)
COUN 255: Community Mental Health and Trauma Interventions (3 units)
COUN 308: Addictions, Co-Occurring Disorders, and Recovery-Oriented Treatment (1 unit)
COUN 566: Counseling Older Adults and Their Families (1 unit)
COUN 314: Psychopharmacology for MFT/PCC (3 units)
COUN 530: Counseling Field Experience (1-3 units each term; 6 units total): Students are engaged in fieldwork in clinical, school or college settings appropriate to department specialization(s) and career objectives. Weekly seminars held for specific specializations. Supervision provided by Counseling Department campus supervisors and department-approved field supervisors.

Cohort plans of study

School Counseling

School Counseling Pupil Personnel Services Credential (PPSC)

Are you interested in working with elementary, middle, or high school students? We give you the option of earning a MA in Counseling, with a specialization in School Counseling or School Psychology.

Both specializations include receiving a Pupil Personnel Services Credential (PPSC) necessary to work as a School Counselor or School Psychologist in PreK-12 California public schools. Credentials are awarded through the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC).

PPSC candidates in the School Counseling specialization acquire the knowledge and skills to become competent school-based mental health professionals and social justice advocates through a program of study aligned with the American School Counselor Association’s (ASCA) National Standards, which focus on the academic, career, and personal/social development of K-12 students. Our candidates learn about the history, theories, and research behind the field of counseling and specifically professional school counseling, and gain a variety of tools to support the success of public and private school students from diverse populations and contexts; these tools include academic advising, college and career development, and counseling services at individual, group, classroom, and school-wide levels on relevant personal/social issues affecting K-12 students and their families. In keeping with CCTC requirements, our program gives primary emphasis in helping public school pupils achieve academic success by emphasizing the importance of student support services.

Successful completion of a program of study in the Counseling Department at Saint Mary’s College of California, leading to a master’s degree and Pupil Personnel Services Credential in School Counseling, involves a combination of coursework, fieldwork, and a culminating project, as well as meeting the PPS standards and registering for the credential.

What courses will you take?

These courses fulfill the CCTC requirements for the School Counseling PPS Credential:
40 units of core courses, plus 20 School Counseling specific units (below), for a minimum of 60 units:

COUN 235: School Counseling Practicum and Action Research (3 units)
COUN 239: Psychological Perspectives of Gender (2 units): Introduction to psychology of gender, with emphasis on psycho-social effects of genderization of women and men from an ecosystemic, multicultural, and feminist perspective. Attention is paid to gender-specific issues pertinent to mental health and well-being.
COUN 251: Treatment of Children (3 units)
COUN 253: School Counseling (3 units)
COUN 524: Systems Consultation (3 units)
COUN 530: Counseling Field Experience (1-3 units each term; 6 units total): Students are engaged in fieldwork in clinical, school or college settings appropriate to department specialization(s) and career objectives. Weekly seminars held for specific specializations. Supervision provided by Counseling Department campus supervisors and department-approved field supervisors.

Cohort plans of study

Post-Master's, PPS Credential-Only:

We also offer post-master's degree, PPS Credential-Only Programs in School Counseling.

School Psychology

School Psychology Pupil Personnel Services Credential (PPSC)

Pupil Personnel Services Credential (PPSC) candidates in the School Psychology specialization acquire the knowledge and skills to become competent school psychologists and social justice advocates in PreK-12 schools. Our program of study is aligned with the National Association of School Psychologists’ (NASP) Model for Comprehensive and Integrated Psychological Services which focuses on data-based decision making and accountability, consultation and collaboration, and direct and indirect academic and mental health services for children, families, and schools. Our candidates learn about the history, theories, and research behind the field of counseling and specifically school psychology, and gain a variety of tools to support the success of all students with respect for human diversity and social justice; these tools include consultation, collaboration, counseling, and assessment at individual, group, classroom, and school-wide levels to support the academic, social, and emotional success of all students. In keeping with CCTC requirements, our program gives primary emphasis in helping public school pupils achieve academic success by emphasizing the importance of student support services.

Successful completion of a program of study in the Counseling Department at Saint Mary’s College of California, leading to a master’s degree and Pupil Personnel Services Credential in School Psychology, involves a combination of coursework, fieldwork, and a culminating project, as well as meeting the PPS standards and registering for the credential.

What courses will you take?

These courses fulfill the CCTC requirements for the School Psychology PPS Credential:
28 units of core courses, plus 40 School Psychology specific units (below), for a minimum of 68 units:

COUN 246: SP Child/Adolescent Psychopathology (3 units)
COUN 251: Treatment of Children (3 units)
COUN 290: SP Introduction to Psychological Assessment (3 units)
COUN 291: SP Neuro-Cognitive Assessment (3 units)
COUN 292: SP Assessment of Social & Emotional Functioning (3 units)
COUN 524: Systems Consultation (3 units)
COUN 527: SP Practicum/Seminar (1 unit)
COUN 540: SP Fieldwork Seminar & Supervision I & II (6 units)
COUN 541: SP Internship and Seminar I & II (6 units)
COUN 210: Learning, Development & Cognition in the Social Context (3 units)
SPED 230: Introduction to Inclusive Education (3 units)
SPED 233: Behavioral Support in the Learning Environment (3 units)

Cohort plans of study

School Psychologists are eligible to become Licensed Education Psychologists (LEPs) through the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) after completing 2 years of full-time work as a credentialed School Psychologist. LEPs’ scope of practice includes providing diagnoses of psychological disorders related to academic learning processes; providing psychological counseling for individuals, groups and families; developing treatment programs and strategies to address problems of adjustment; coordinating intervention strategies for management of individual crises; and consulting with other educators and parents on issues of social development and behavioral and academic difficulties (California Board of Behavioral Sciences, 2011).

Post-Master's, PPS Credential-Only:

We also offer post-master's degree, PPS Credential-Only Programs in School Psychology.

Application Requirements and Checklist

To view a list of program application deadlines, click here.

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Attend an Application Chat

Admissions Requirements

Application and $50 fee.
2-3 page, double spaced personal statement of academic and professional goals (if GPA is lower than 2.8, please address it in your Personal Statement & second interview is required)
Current resume
One official transcript (sealed) from all colleges or universities attended. If your bachelor's degree is in progress, upload an unofficial one now; then send the official transcript after your degree is posted.
Bachelor’s degree: Evidence of completion from a regionally-accredited college
Three letters of recommendation from professional and/or academic references who can evaluate your potential to be a counselor. Letters from personal references (such as family or friends) will not be accepted. Please provide three professional and or academic references and their contact information in the Recommenders section of the application. The online system will contact them directly with instructions on uploading letters of recommendation.
- Please note: Letters of Recommendation must be received for your file to be deemed complete and ready for review; however, the letters DO NOT need to be received by admissions prior to submitting your application.
Evidence of health insurance (and/or a signed waiver)
Results of a tuberculin test (within the last year)

For Master's degree applicants specializing in School Counseling and School Psychology or Post-MA, PPS Credential students only:

Certificate of Clearance (student needs to have paid for the CTC document): Required for all School Counseling and School Psychology applicants. Clearance is mandatory before any PPS School Counseling or School Psychology student enters any practicum or field placement.
Proof of registration for CBEST test or passing another Basic Skills Requirement (BSR) alternative option approved by the CCTC. Passing is not required for admission; however, a passing BSR is required prior to beginning any practicum or field placement.

For eligibility requirements for the Post-Master's degree, PPS Credential-Only, please visit the links below:

School Counseling
School Psychology

NOTE: After submitting your application, you will be notified to schedule an admissions interview.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Benefits, Tuition, and Fees

Please refer to our section on financial aid.

Benefits	Periodic in-person meetings on campus, averaging one Saturday per month • Guaranteed availability for every course, every term • Flexible online learning that accommodates your schedule • Attentive and encouraging professors
Application fee	$50 (non-refundable)
Tuition	$52,560-$74,460 (48-68 units, $1,095/unit)
Tuition deposit	$250 (non-refundable)
Technology fee	$500 (one-time)
Books	$100 per course (average)
Course materials fee	$50 for the program (approximately)
Prior learning assessment fee	$300 per experiential learning essay submitted for evaluation (optional)

Learning Outcomes

Theories

Students begin to demonstrate knowledge and skills in applying developmental and counseling theories relevant to counseling in general and specific to their specialization(s), and are aware of the limitations of these theories when working with diverse or multicultural populations.

Counseling Skills

Students will articulate the core conditions of a high-quality therapeutic relationship and the conceptual framework of the counseling skills model as taught in COUN 520 and 521. They will demonstrate counseling skills in field placement and internship.

Personal Growth and Wellness

Students will identify goals and steps, and implement action plans that promote their personal growth and wellness.

Professional Development

Students will identify goals and steps, and implement action plans that encourage professional development relevant to their counseling specialization(s).

Diversity

Students will demonstrate self-awareness around their biases, prejudices, limitations, and assets in working with diverse populations. Students will exhibit knowledge and skills in counseling clients from a wide range of diversity in all forms (e.g., gender, culture, ethnicity, race, age, sexual orientation, religion/spirituality, physical/mental abilities, class, and social and economic background).

Social Justice and Client Advocacy

Students will actively promote sensitivity and awareness of social and ethical concerns, specific to consequences of economic and social injustice. Through coursework and field experiences, students will begin to engage in promoting social justice for clients/students, and work toward addressing systemic oppression.

Law and Ethics

Students will demonstrate knowledge and skills in applying laws and ethical principles relevant to their counseling specialization(s), and discuss limitations of ethical codes when working with diverse populations.

Research

Students will demonstrate their ability to access, evaluate, and apply culturally relevant research practices that emphasize a collaborative approach specific to their counseling specialization(s).

Case Management

Students will demonstrate goal-setting, assessment, and effective intervention with their clients relevant to their specialization(s), counseling setting and scope of practice—and learn to adapt interventions to meet the needs of their diverse clients.

Technology Literacy

Students will demonstrate a basic level of information technology literacy and skills, and use technology in culturally sensitive ways that reflect an understanding of the digital divide.

Written and Oral Communication Skills

Students will demonstrate professional and effective written and oral communication skills, including APA formatting.

Post-Grad Success

A career in counseling is a rewarding profession. Our MA in Counseling will give you the skills, knowledge, confidence, and real-world experience necessary to bring about positive changes in people’s lives.

An MA in counseling from the Kalmanovitz School of Education will help open doors to a number of professional arenas that seek qualified and dedicated counselors, such as:

Marriage, couple, and family therapy
Private practice
Mental health
Community and social services
College counseling
Elementary, middle, and secondary school guidance
Rehabilitation
Substance abuse counseling
Writing/publishing

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Master's Programs

Master of Arts in Counseling

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Program Details

Program Duration

Learning Environment

Average Class Size

Why the Master of Arts in Counseling?

Focus on What Interests You

Common Questions:

Career Counseling

What courses will you take?

Cohort plans of study

General Counseling

What courses will you take?

Cohort plans of study

Choose your own field placement

Higher Education & Student Affairs (HESA)

What courses will you take?

Cohort plans of study

Higher Education & Student Affairs/Professional Clinical Counseling (HESA/PCC)

Required courses:

Cohort plans of study

Tailored field placements

Marriage & Family Therapy / Professional Clinical Counselor (MFT/PCC)

What courses will you take?

Cohort plans of study

School Counseling Pupil Personnel Services Credential (PPSC)

What courses will you take?

Cohort plans of study

Post-Master's, PPS Credential-Only:

School Psychology Pupil Personnel Services Credential (PPSC)

What courses will you take?

Cohort plans of study

Post-Master's, PPS Credential-Only:

Admissions Requirements

Benefits, Tuition, and Fees

Learning Outcomes

Theories

Counseling Skills

Personal Growth and Wellness

Professional Development

Diversity

Social Justice and Client Advocacy

Law and Ethics

Research

Case Management

Technology Literacy

Written and Oral Communication Skills

Post-Grad Success

Connect with an Admissions Counselor

Attend an Information Session

Finance Your Education

Events

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