School Counseling and School Psychology, M.A.

Overview

In the dual school counseling/school psychology program candidates will complete separate credentials in school psychology and school counseling as well as earn a single master's degree in school counseling and school psychology.

The marketability and flexibility of obtaining both the school counseling and school psychology credentials will provide many options for both students and school districts. Graduates will be equipped with the necessary expertise in assessment and intervention as well as the knowledge and skills to develop and implement comprehensive guidance and counseling programs. The sequence of courses for the dual program has been carefully determined to provide maximum utility and background experience for fieldwork experiences as well as sequential coursework.

Accreditation

State of California
Commission on Teacher Credentialing 1900 Capitol Avenue
Sacramento, California 95814-4213

Admissions Requirements

• Three current reference forms
• Interview with program director*
• All other official transcripts from colleges/universities attended
• Copy of valid California credential or certificate of clearance (fingerprints)
• Verification of current negative TB test (last 12 months)
• Verification of passing the CBEST
• GRE or MAT results
• Letter of explanation if your GPA is under 3.0
• Prerequisite courses:
  • Child Development
  • Educational Statistics and Research Design
  • Intercultural Communication
  • Introduction to Counseling Theories
  • Introduction to Psychology
  • Psychology of Learning

*Program applicants will be required to submit an impromptu writing sample of approximately one page at the time they are scheduled to meet with the program director for an interview. The sample of written expression will be part of the documentation required to determine candidate competence. In the event that program prospects are judged by the Graduate Admission Committee to have writing deficiencies (provided they have met the other requirements) they may be accepted under the condition that they take a professional writing class.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

CCTC Standards for Pupil Personnel Services Credentials

Generic Standards

Standard 1 Program Design, Rationale and Coordination
Standard 2 Growth and Development
Standard 3 Socio-Cultural Competence
Standard 4 Assessment
Standard 5 Comprehensive Prevention and Early Intervention for Achievement
Standard 6 Professional Ethics and Legal Mandates
Standard 7 Family-School Collaboration
Standard 8 Self-esteem and Personal and Social Responsibility
Standard 9 School Safety and Violence Prevention
Standard 10 Consultation
Standard 11 Learning Theory and Educational Psychology
Standard 12 Professional Leadership Development
Standard 13 Collaboration and Coordination of Pupil Support Systems
Standard 14 Human Relations
Standard 15 Technological Literacy
Standard 16 Supervision and Mentoring

School Psychologist Specialization Standards

1. Core Knowledge Base and Foundation
   Standard 17 Psychological Foundations
   Standard 18 Educational Foundations
   Standard 19 Legal, Ethical and Professional Foundations
2. Professional Skills and Training
   Standard 20 Collaborative Consultation
   Standard 21 Wellness Promotion, Crisis Intervention and Counseling
   Standard 22 Individual Evaluation and Assessment
   Standard 23 Program Planning and Evaluation
   Standard 24 Research, Measurement and Technology
3. Field Experience and Practica
   Standard 25 Practica
   Standard 26 Culminating Field Experience
   Standard 27 Determination of Candidate Competence

Program Student Learning Outcomes

Candidates will demonstrate knowledge and application skills in a school setting in the following areas.

1. Data-based decision making and accountability.
2. Consultation and collaboration.
3. Intervention and instructional support to develop academic skills.
4. Interventions and mental health services to develop social and life skills.
5. School-wide practices to promote learning.
6. Preventive and responsive services.
7. Family-school collaboration services.
8. Diversity in development and learning.
9. Research and program evaluation.
10. Legal, ethical and professional practice.

Locations Offered

North Fresno, Visalia and Bakersfield Campuses

Program Length

The program is three years (eight semesters) in length with cohorts starting in the fall. Attending full time, the 83-85 unit program will take three years to complete. Following the sequence of courses provided, students will complete the requirements for their clear school counseling credential by the end of the second year of the program and the requirements for their clear school psychology credential as well as the master's degree at the end of the third year.