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Degree and Credential Programs

Master of Science in Counseling

The Department of Counselor Education offers courses of study that lead to a Master of Science in Counseling. The 60-unit counseling program at California State University, Sacramento is designed to prepare students for entry level positions in the profession of counseling in settings such as community agencies, schools, universities, private practice, and/or business and industry. The program equips students with the essential qualifications for obtaining appropriate licenses, credentials, and/or other types of professional status. This is a clinically oriented program with both theoretical and experiential components followed by supervised practice in the field.

The Master of Science in Counseling Program offers the following four specializations: Career Counseling; Community Counseling; Marriage, Family and Child Counseling; and School Counseling. Students admitted to the program will be required to specialize in at least one of these four areas. Specialization courses do not constitute a major. For example, a student specializing in school counseling has not majored in school counseling. All students in the counseling program are majoring in Counseling and complete a common counseling core. Specialization courses provide additional experiences that are directed toward the student’s specific occupational goals.

Pupil Personnel Services Credential, School Counseling (PPS-SC)

California schools, kindergarten through high school, require their school counselors to have the PPS SC. Students pursuing the 57-unit Pupil Personnel Services School Counseling Credential follow the exact same course requirements as students with the 60-unit Master’s in Counseling Degree objective who are specializing in school counseling, with the exception of a 3-unit Culminating Requirement. The 60-unit master’s degree is not required, although most students elect to complete the degree. In addition to the PPS-SC course requirements, individuals who obtain the credential must pass the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST), required for all K-12 credentials in California. The program is also accredited by the California Commission for Teacher Credentialing (CCTC). Contact: School Counseling Co-Coordinators, Dr. Shannon Dickson, 916-278-3548, and Dr. Louis Downs, 916-278-4123.

Pupil Personnel Services Internship Credential, School Counseling (PPS-SCI)

The PPS-SCI enables school districts and other educational agencies to place candidates in school counseling positions prior to the completion of credential requirements, provided that the CBEST has been passed. Requests must originate in writing from the district superintendent or other appropriate officers. The program is also accredited by the California Commission for Teacher Credentialing.