Master of Science in Counseling
The M.S. in Counseling incorporates four specializations and/or emphases: career, college, school, and gerontology. The scope of this degree allows students the flexibility to focus their attention on specific areas of interest. The student combines the core sequence of classes with their specialization or emphasis. Counselors will be able to function in a wide variety of community agencies and work with individuals of all ages.
The Career Counseling specialization and/or emphasis provides graduates with expertise in career counseling and programs for colleges, universities, high schools, private career counseling practice and consultation, private industry and public agencies. This specialization/emphasis blends expertise in career counseling with individual and group counseling as well as teaching and designing career and employment programs. The focus of career counseling includes counseling related to work choices, intra and interpersonal development and family dynamics. Issues such as work and family balance, career and life decisions and goals, workplace conflict, healthy workplace, job search strategies, burnout, and the emotional aspects of career change are covered in the curriculum. The Career Counseling specialization is active in using new advances in the field for a rapidly changing economy as well as partnering with the local community to contribute to bringing the most vulnerable of society into new opportunities for success.
The College Counseling specialization and emphasis prepare master’s level professionals to work in both counseling and student services roles at the community college and university levels in both public and private institutions. Specifically, the program is designed to develop the ability to facilitate the development of college students in both cognitive and personal areas. Its focus is on prevention, remediation, and developmental counseling skills. In addition to the core competencies of the master’s program, this specialization and emphasis develops knowledge and skills in the areas of group counseling, educational counseling, problem-solving and decision making, assessment, evaluation and research, teaching, consulting and management, supervision, and organizational development.
The Gerontological Counseling specialization and emphasis provide training for students who want to counsel elder persons in a variety of different settings, typically in conjunction with MFT or CMHC counseling specializations. Gerontological counseling includes communication skills, theoretical and developmental foundations, mental health assessment, and the aging process. Consistent with the general mission of the Department of Counseling, the Gerontology specialization/emphasis recognizes the need for close coordination with the field.
The School Counseling specialization or emphasis is concerned with assisting students in public and private schools (grades PK-12) with effective counseling and guidance programs and services that are designated to meet students’ academic, personal/social, and career needs. The program is designed to expose students to both didactic and experiential learning necessary for functioning as school counselors and within PK-12 educational settings. The program focus is on children and adolescent performance in a learning environment utilizing both preventative and intervention strategies.
Career, College, School, and Gerontological Counseling specialization students who wish to be endorsed by the Department of Counseling as meeting the educational requirements for the Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in California must also complete an emphasis in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
Graduate Programs in Counseling
General Information
At least 60 units of approved graduate work are required for the Master of Science degrees. All students go through a basic core sequence of academic courses including four semesters of supervised counseling practicum and internship and electives according to their area of specialization. Two-year fieldwork placements are required in two different settings. The department works collaboratively with over 150 community agencies that provide service and training opportunities for our students. These agencies are carefully screened to meet our standards. Fieldwork placements are viewed as an integral part of the training of prospective counselors.
Once admitted to the program, students may petition the department’s program coordinator and chair for up to 12 units of appropriate post-baccalaureate degree work taken in other institutions within seven years from the date students plan to graduate. Courses taken for another degree or credential may not be counted toward the master’s degree. Courses taken at other institutions after admission to the graduate program may not be counted toward the master’s degree. Refer to Graduate Admissions and Graduate Studies, Transfer Credit from Other Institutions for more information.
It may be possible to complete the M.S. program either as a full-time student or as a part-time student. Throughout the program, students' course schedules may involve daytime, late afternoon, and evening classes. Classes are offered fall and spring semesters (rarely offered in the summer and not available online). Students must expect that their personal and work schedules will need to be sufficiently flexible to accommodate fieldwork requirements and department class schedules.
Admission to Program
Applicants are admitted as conditionally classified graduate students in the fall semester only - there are no spring admits. Admission to the department involves the following procedures:
- Complete the GRE General Test1, paying particular attention to the Written Analytical Section of the GRE. See note below. International students are required to complete the TOEFL (see International Application Submission information at grad.sfsu.edu/content/international-application-submission)
- Complete Cal State Apply application.
- Submit the Cal State Apply application by January 15.
- International students applying to the program should see International Application Submission information for additional requirements (grad.sfsu.edu/content/international-application-submission)
| 1 | Please note: Your GRE scores will not determine our recommendation to either admit or deny you admission to our program. We will review the Analytical Writing score so that we may determine your writing needs before you enter the program. Those who do not meet the minimum writing expectation, that is a 4.0 on the Analytical Writing Section of the GRE General Test, upon admission will be required to take a writing course, HSS 700. Refer to www.ets.org/gre for all GRE and GRE test related questions. |
Prerequisites
Prior to enrolling for classes, an applicant must successfully complete three undergraduate prerequisites with a grade of C or better: theories of personality/counseling, development through the lifespan, and a psychopathology course. A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 in the last 60 units is required for admission to the program. Paid or volunteer experience working with people is an important factor for admission. Selection of students is based on academic as well as personal background.
COUN 690 is a prerequisite for all students except those specializing exclusively in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. This course should be taken prior to admission into the program or can be taken the first semester in attendance. Students must earn a grade of B or better.
Access to Counseling Courses Prior to Admission
Applicants may take, on a space-available basis, and by permission of the instructor, any of the following courses through Open University:
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| COUN 690 | Field of Counseling I | 3 |
| COUN 700 | Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy | 3 |
| COUN 702 | Developmental Foundations for Counselors | 3 |
| COUN 703 | Psychological Foundations for Counselors | 3 |
Students shall not take any courses numbered 700 or above and count them toward their SF State bachelor's degree; however, SF State students may indicate on their graduation application that they wish to have these courses applied to their graduate work if taken in the final semester before graduation. Completion of these courses does not guarantee admission into the program.
Written English Proficiency Requirement
Level One
All applicants must successfully demonstrate writing proficiency with a score of 4.0 or better on the Analytic Writing section of the Graduate Record Examination (TOEFL score will be used for international applicants). This must be taken prior to applying to the program. The score must be submitted in your application package. Those who do not meet the minimum writing expectation upon admission will be required to take a writing course, usually at an additional cost.
Level Two
Satisfied by demonstration of English competency on the culminating experience paper for COUN 892.
Clinical Proficiency Requirement
Students must earn a grade of B or better in the following courses:
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| COUN 705 | Counseling Practicum | 3 |
| COUN 706 | Counseling Skills and Process | 3 |
| COUN 736 | Advanced Counseling Process | 3 |
| COUN 890 | Integrative Counseling and Internship | 3 |
| COUN 891 | Case Studies and Internship Seminar | 3 |
Counseling (M.S.) — 60 units
Core Curriculum (48 units)
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| COUN 700 | Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy | 3 |
| COUN 702 | Developmental Foundations for Counselors | 3 |
| COUN 703 | Psychological Foundations for Counselors | 3 |
| COUN 705 | Counseling Practicum | 3 |
| COUN 706 | Counseling Skills and Process | 3 |
| COUN 715 | Assessment in Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 720 | Career Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 736 | Advanced Counseling Process | 3 |
| COUN 741 | Crisis Counseling for Counselors | 3 |
| COUN 794 | Seminar in Research | 3 |
| COUN 811 | Group Counseling Process | 3 |
| COUN 833 | Social and Cultural Foundations in Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 857 | Law and Ethics for Counselors | 3 |
| COUN 890 | Integrative Counseling and Internship | 3 |
| COUN 891 | Case Studies and Internship Seminar | 3 |
| COUN 892 | Culminating Experience for Counselors | 3 |
Area of Specialization (12 units)
Career Counseling
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| COUN 721 | Applied Career Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 727 | Advanced Career Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 738 | Addictions | 3 |
| COUN 858 | Couple and Family Counseling I | 3 |
College Counseling
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| COUN 738 | Addictions | 3 |
| COUN 792 | Seminar for Counselors in Student Personnel Services | 3 |
| COUN 793 | Organization and Administration of Student Services in Higher Education | 3 |
| COUN 858 | Couple and Family Counseling I | 3 |
Gerontological Counseling
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| COUN 704 | Biopsychosocial Aspects of Health, Behavioral Health, Aging, & Disability | 3 |
| COUN 738 | Addictions | 3 |
| COUN 820 | Counseling the Older Adult | 3 |
School Counseling
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| COUN 716 | Professional Seminar I - Structural Elements in School Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 717 | Professional Seminar II - Functional Elements in School Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 718 | Professional Seminar III - Professional Issues in School Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 738 | Addictions | 3 |
| or COUN 858 | Couple and Family Counseling I | |
