M.S. in Counseling and Guidance
Pupil Personnel Services, School Counseling and Child Welfare and Attendance Specializations
Program Overview
In the rapidly evolving landscape of education, never has there been a greater need for knowledgeable, reflective, principled school and college counselors and support professionals.
CLU's Master of Science in Counseling and Guidance offers you a relevant and engaging academic program renowned for developing exceptional counselors throughout California and beyond.
The program is an ideal fit for talented, motivated professionals aspiring to make meaningful contributions in counseling and educational support services.
Program Highlights
Candidates in the Counseling and Guidance program benefit from a rich academic setting characterized by outstanding faculty, three convenient locations, small, collaborative classes and an abundance of meaningful fieldwork opportunities.
A consistent focus is placed on ethical principles with regular self-reflection activities that support your professional growth and development. The program offers two distinct specializations: Pupil Personnel Services and College Student Personnel.
Pupil Personnel Services
The Pupil Personnel Services specialization fully prepares individuals who want to provide counseling services to students at K-12 grade levels. You may specialize in School Counseling, and then add the Child Welfare and Attendance specialization that offers additional training in working with those students most at-risk for school failure. Upon completion of the program with the Pupil Personnel Services specialization, candidates will be eligible for the Clear Pupil Personnel Services Credential offered by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
Requirements
The following courses are required to successfully complete this 48-credit* curriculum which includes the School Counseling specialization:
- EDCG 504. School Law (3)
- EDCG 510A. Action Research for Practitioners (3)
- EDCG 512. Lifespan Human Development (3)
- EDCG 515. Advanced Educational Psychology (3)
- EDCG 554. Educational Measurement (3)
- EDCG 521. Counseling Theory and Practice (3)
- EDCG 522. Tools for Research, Practice, and Professional Development (2)
- EDCG 523. Group Process and Leadership (3)
- EDCG 524. Consultation, Collaboration, and Supervision (3)
- EDCG 525. Interventions for Safe Schools and the Promotion of Student Resiliency (3)
- EDCG 526. Microskills in Counseling (3)
- EDCG 527. Educational and Career Planning (3)
- EDCG 528. Practicum (3)
- EDCG 529. Organization and Administration of Pupil Personnel Services (3)
- EDCG 532. Systems Approaches in Schools (3)
- EDCG 533. Field Studies in School Counseling I (2)
- EDCG 534. Field Studies in School Counseling II (2)
For the Child Welfare and Attendance specialization, candidates must complete an additional 150 field hours, 50 of which can be fulfilled in the field studies courses as well as complete the following course:
- EDCG 540. Seminar in Child Welfare and Attendance (3)
Candidates for the Master's Degree also take a Comprehensive Exam or complete a Thesis (EDGN 599A).
* Requirements are subject to change by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
Courses
EDCG 504 School Law (3 units)
Implications and trends of court decisions, federal, state, and local, as they affect the role of the counselor, teacher, and administrator; their impact on district policy and finance, and on district and local programs and activities.
EDCG 510A Action Research for Practitioners (3 units)
A systematic study and analysis of current research and methods of conducting research in educational settings. The objectives in this course focus on (A) knowledge base (B) techniques; and (C) applications of action research.
EDCG 512 Life Span Human Development (3 units)
A comprehensive review and advanced study of the maturation of both normal and exceptional persons, from birth to senescence in physical, social/emotional, cognitive and language areas. Observation required.
EDCG 515 Advanced Educational Psychology (3 units)
The learning process and its application in a variety of settings with students of diverse cultural, ethnic, racial, linguistic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
EDCG 521 Counseling Theory and Practice
Fundamentals of counseling: theoretical approaches, the counseling process, and cross-cultural perspectives. This course should be taken during the first semester offered.
EDCG 522 Tools for Research, Practice and Professional Development (2 units)
APA writing style, on-line research methods and sources, technology for enhancing direct services and software applications for educational settings. To be taken the first semester offered.
EDCG 523 Group Process and Leadership (3 units)
Group counseling: foundation process, techniques and application; lecture and laboratory. Prerequisite: EDCG 521.
EDCG 524 Consultation, Collaboration and Supervision (3 units)
Theories and methods of effective consultation, collaboration and supervision in educational settings. Coordination of personnel and services that impact student learning.
EDCG 525 Interventions for Safe Schools and the Promotion of Student Resiliency (3 units)
Models and methods for effective prevention and intervention programs for at-risk students.
EDCG 526 Microskills in Counseling (3 units)
An emphasis on counseling knowledge and skills. Includes in-class monitored practice. Prerequisite: EDCG 521. (Graded P/NC only).
EDCG 527 Educational and Career Planning (3 units)
Theoretical approaches, resources and techniques utilized in assisting individuals to make their educational and career choices.
EDCG 528 Practicum (3 units)
Supervised field placement in a school, postsecondary setting or community agency, with 100 (PPS) or 150 (CSP) field hours required. Candidates must be supervised by an experienced professional with an appropriate credential. Each student will be involved in on-site experiences which include the application of theory to practice. Permission of adviser and application required. Application must be submitted by the last month of the previous semester. Prerequisites: PPS Students - Proof of passage of CBEST and Certificate of Clearance. EDCG 504, 521, 523, 524, 526, 527, and 529 (EDCG 529 may be a co-requisite) and completion of 24 units. College Student Personnel Students - EDCG 521, 523, 526, 527, 530, and 531.
EDCG 529 Organization and Administration of Pupil Personnel Services (3 units)
Organization and administration of guidance and counseling services in the schools. Includes program planning, coordination, supervision, budgeting and evaluation.
EDCG 532 Systems Approaches in Schools (3 units)
Family systems theories and their application in school settings.
EDCG 554 Educational Measurement (3 units)
Assessment of typical and atypical pupils, including the preparation, selection, administration, scoring, and interpretation of culturally appropriate normed and criterion-referenced individual and group tests.
EDCG 533 Field Study in School Counseling I (2 units)*
Supervised field experience in a K-12 public school setting under the supervision of an experienced Pupil Personnel Services credential holder at either an elementary, middle school or high school, with 200-400 field hours required. Advisor approval and application are required. (Graded P/NC only).
EDCG 534 Field Study in School Counseling II (2 units)*
Supervised field experience in a K-12 public school setting under the supervision of an experienced Pupil Personnel Services credential holder at either an elementary, middle school or high school, with 200-400 field hours required. The school level must differ from that in 533. The combined number of field hours required for the two courses (533 and 534) is 600. The two courses may not be taken concurrently. Advisor approval and application are required. Prerequisite: EDCG 533. (Graded P/NC only).
Child Welfare and Attendance Specialization
For the Child Welfare and Attendance Specialization, candidates must complete an additional 150 hours, 50 of which can be fulfilled in the field studies courses as well as completing the following course:
EDCG 540 Child Welfare and Attendance Seminar (3 units)
An emphasis on school, home, and community factors contributing to school attendance, related laws and intervention programs designed to enhance attendance and school safety. 150 hours of fieldwork at a school site is required under the supervision of an experienced PPS credential holder. Prerequisite: Completion of PPS in School Counseling.
* These courses, which require field hours, are to be taken at or near the end of the program.
Currently Accepting Applications for Fall 2013
Admission Requirements
- Checklist
- Completed Application Form
- $50 Application Fee (please make checks payable to CLU)
- Official transcripts verifying bachelor's degree and any graduate work
- Personal Statement
- Recommendation Form
- Petition to Waive the GRE or GRE Scores
- Credential Transfer Worksheet. If you plan on transferring any credential course work, this form must be completed and approved.
Application Process
Interested individuals are encouraged to make an appointment to meet with a graduate admission counselor to review specific program information, admission requirements, start terms, deadline dates, and review financial aid options.
Please call (805) 493-3335 to schedule an appointment to meet with a graduate admission counselor or to request information.
