October 1, 2023
Fall 2024
2 years
MS
The school counseling concentration is a full-time (two-year with summer courses) program of study that prepares candidates for a Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) Credential in School Counseling. Candidates may also choose to complete fieldwork that will prepare candidates for an Associate Marriage and Family Therapy (AMFT) Registration.
For more information attend one of our virtual Information Sessions
The mission of our School Counseling Program (SCP) is to prepare socially just professional school counselors who:
Candidates who graduate from our program work in a variety of educational settings. Our graduates mostly work in School Counselor Role, Elementary School Counselor Information, Middle School Counselor Information and High School Counselor Information A portion of our graduates also work in postsecondary institutions (i.e., community colleges and universities).
Candidates who graduate from the school counseling program will have completed course work to be recommended for the following:
Candidates who choose to complete the Marriage and Family Therapy option will have completed fieldwork to be recommended for the following (in addition to the aforementioned credentials):
The Master’s of Science in Counseling with a School Counseling concentration and option in MFT is designed to prepare candidates to be professional school counselors who use data-driven, comprehensive programs and services to advocate for social justice, equity, inclusion, and diversity in P-20 settings. Candidates have an option to complete additional fieldwork hours to acquire an AMFT Registration to increase their options to work with children and families inside and outside of schools. The School Counseling Program is committed to training socially just candidates who are competent in developing, implementing and evaluating comprehensive programs and services that are designed to be educational and preventative with a focus on developmentally appropriate and culturally responsive approaches.
Our school counseling program is committed to the advancement of social justice, democracy, and professional excellence. Our candidates are knowledgeable and competent in engaging in counseling, consultation, advocacy, and support to diverse populations. Furthermore, our candidates learn how to become effective leaders and systemic change agents to ensure access, attainment, and achievement of all students.
Program and Course Structure
The Master’s of Science in Counseling with a School Counseling concentration is a 2 year full-time 60 unit program. The MFT training preparation could be completed in conjunction with the School Counseling concentration in 2 years full-time. Courses are offered in a defined cohort sequence during fall, spring, and summer terms. Courses are offered in a hybrid format and take place during the afternoon and evening.
Candidates must satisfactorily complete all coursework and fieldwork requirements to be recommended for the degree and credential. Candidates are evaluated on their academic performance, clinical aptitude, and professional development. Candidates who choose to complete the training toward the Marriage and Family Therapy licensure must complete additional fieldwork hours to be recommended for the Associate Marriage and Family Therapy (AMFT) Registration.
Cohort
A cohort is a group of candidates who enter, move through and graduate from the program in the same group, at the same time. Cohorts foster learning communities that promote academic development and professional support.
Faculty
Faculty members in the Department of Educational Psychology have expertise in different areas of counseling in schools and community agencies, thus providing a diverse background of experiences in the classroom. Many of the faculty continue to engage in work in the field, either practicing counselor positions, consultants, and/or researchers.
Admission Requirements
Applicants applying to our program should review and follow the University and Department admissions requirements and procedures, including the submission of:
For more information, visit CTC Basic Skills Requirement.
For options #7 and #8, please review and complete the Request of Basic Skills Requirement Evaluation form. Prospective students must have a Department Application in progress or submitted. Email ALL unofficial transcripts, passing test scores (if applicable), a copy of your $25 CashNet Department Application fee receipt, and this completed form to credentials@csueastbay.edu. The subject line of your email should be Request for BSR Evaluation and include your name. Once the Request for Basic Skill Requirement request has been reviewed, you will receive the decision back via email (the email listed on the form).
Prerequisite Coursework
Candidates must complete one prerequisite course prior to the start of graduate coursework. The prerequisite course must be completed with a “B” or better. If a prerequisite course does not meet this requirement, the candidate will need to retake it prior to starting the program. The following is the required prerequisite for admission into our school counseling program with an option in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT):
Please refer to the Prerequisite Equivalency Course List to see a range of course title examples and institutions. This is not an exhaustive list. If you have completed a course with a similar title and content, with a grade of "B" or better, from an accredited university the program will review the course with your application.
If you are uncertain if a title or content description matches these examples, please contact the Program Coordinator for School Counseling: Dr. Ulash Thakore-Dunlap - Email: ulash.thakoredunlap@csueastbay.edu Include a copy of the unofficial transcript, course description, course number, institution, and date completed. Courses 10 years or older will not be considered.
Admission is for the fall semester only. Applicants are encouraged to attend an informational session prior to submitting an application. Applicants are accepted for full-time or part-time entry into the program.
Dr. Ulash Thakore-Dunlap
Email: ulash.thakoredunlap@csueastbay.edu
School Counseling
The specialization in school counseling authorizes the candidate to perform the following duties:
Develop, plan, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive, data-driven school counseling program that includes academic, college/career, social-emotional, and mental health services.
Advocate for the academic, college/career, social-emotional, and mental health needs of all applicants.
Utilize school data to make informed decisions to address inequities in school.
Provide schoolwide prevention and intervention strategies and counseling services.
Provide consultation, training, and staff development to teachers and parents regarding applicantss’ needs.
School psychology
The specialization in school psychology authorizes the candidate to perform the following duties:
Provide services that enhance academic performance.
Design strategies and programs to address problems of adjustment.
Consult with other educators and parents on issues of social development and behavioral and academic difficulties.
Conduct psycho-educational assessment for purposes of identifying special needs.
Provide psychological counseling for individuals, groups, and families.
Coordinate intervention strategies for the management of individuals and schoolwide crises.
Our MS in Counseling with a concentration in school counseling offers a hybrid program. Courses are offered in a defined cohort sequence during fall, spring and summer semesters, during the afternoon and evening.
The other MS in Counseling programs are offered fully face-to-face and classes are during the day, afternoon, evenings, and some weekends.
No, you may only apply to one program at a time.
We do not offer a credential-only program at this time.
Information sessions are an opportunity for applicants to learn about our program overview, prerequisites, course of study, and application and interview process. If you are unable to attend one of the informational sessions, please contact credentials@csueastbay or mseducation@csueastbay for questions about the school counseling program.
Admission is for the fall semester only. Applicants are encouraged to attend an informational session prior to submitting an application. Applicants are accepted for full-time or part-time entry into the program. Application deadline for the school counseling program is January 14.
Applicants applying to our program should follow the university and departmental admissions procedures, including the submission of:
University application (submitted via Cal State Apply)
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university
Cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0
Official transcripts after you apply (How to submit Documents)
Department application: Online submission only with all documents uploaded electronically
Personal Statement-questions are on Department Application-Please use headings and answer all of the questions within 2-4 double-spaced pages.
How have you learned about what school counselors do and how do you plan to use what you have learned in the profession?
What is your goal for attending this program and your goal for becoming a professional school counselor?
What strengths will help you reach your goals and what areas of growth do you need to continue to work on to reach your goals?
Current Resume
Unofficial Transcripts
Applicants with an international transcript with a foreign degree must provide an official evaluation of that coursework by a CTC-approved agency-Please email credentials@csueastbay.edu for further instructions on how to submit the official evaluation. for a list of approved agencies visit Foreign Transcript Evaluation-
Prerequisite course - Introduction to Statistics (STAT 100) must be completed prior to the start of graduate coursework.
applicants need to demonstrate proficiency in one of the Basic Skills Requirement options determined by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing
Please see following link for more options: Basic Skills Requirements
Yes, we encourage candidates from all majors and work/volunteer backgrounds to apply. The degree must be from an accredited institution and all program prerequisites must be completed prior to starting our program.
The minimum GPA requirement for the department is 3.0.
The GRE is not required for the school counseling program.
Other MS in Counseling programs might require the GRE. Those programs may accept GRE scores within the last five years. There is no minimum score for the GRE to guarantee admission into the MS in Counseling program. The GRE will be used as an assessment tool to determine a prospective candidate’s qualification for entry into the program. You can register for the GRE here.
All of the prerequisite courses (or equivalent courses) can be taken at any accredited institution, via face to face or online.
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School Counseling Program (with or without MFT option) Prerequisites |
STAT 100: Elements of Statistics and Probability (3 units)
PSYC 381: Psychopathology (4 units)
PSYC 340: Developmental Psychology (4 units)
STAT 100: Elements of Statistics and Probability (3 units)
PSYC 381: Psychopathology (4 units)
PSYC 340: Developmental Psychology (4 units)
STAT 100: Elements of Statistics and Probability (3 units)
PSYC 370 - Psychological Measurements (4 units) OR PSYC 491D - Research in Developmental Psychology (4 units)
PSYC 412 - Learning Theory Units: 4
Applicants can learn more about marriage and family therapy by visiting American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT), reading articles, attending conferences, webinars, etc.
Applicants can learn more about school counseling by visiting American School Counseling Association (ASCA) or California Association of School Counseling (CASC), reading articles, attending conferences, webinars, shadowing a school counselor, etc.
Applicants can learn more about school psychology programs by visiting National Association for School Psychologists (NASP), reading articles, attending conferences, webinars, shadowing a school psychologist, etc.
The interview process is an opportunity for applicants, current graduate students, and department faculty to get to know each other on a personal and group level. The school counseling concentration will interview qualified applicants in three phases: (a) individual interview, (b) group interview, and (c) writing prompt.
Other programs may have a different interview process.
Qualified applicants will be invited to interview with current graduate students and department faculty. Applicants selected to be interviewed may be invited for an interview within 4-6 weeks after applying. Interviews are scheduled until the program is full.
The California State University system requires all applicants to demonstrate writing competency at the university level in order to receive a baccalaureate or master's degree.
You will need to satisfy the University Writing Skills Requirement (UWSR) in order to receive a degree from CSUEB unless you are exempt by one of the following criteria:
If you have previously satisfied the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement at CSUEB or at another CSU campus, CSUEB will accept official certification of completion if the entire requirement, as specified by that CSU campus, was satisfied and you were a matriculated applicants at the time.
If you have graduated from any one of the CSU campuses; unless it is noted on your transcript that your USWR was not satisfied.
If you received an essay score of 4.5 or higher on the GMAT or GRE or an essay score of 53 or higher on the CBEST.
If you pass the Writing Skills Test (WST) at CSU East Bay.
If you pass a first-tier writing course and possibly a second-tier writing course (if needed).
The MS in Counseling degree with a concentration in School Counseling is a 60-unit program. The program can be completed in 2 years full-time. Candidates must satisfactorily complete all coursework and fieldwork requirements to be recommended for the degree and credential.
Candidates are evaluated on their academic performance, clinical aptitude, and professional development. Candidates who choose to complete the Marriage and Family Therapy option must complete additional fieldwork hours to be recommended for the Associate Marriage and Family Therapy (AMFT) Registration. The following program of study is recommended for all candidates completing the program full-time or part-time.
Please note: The schedules listed above are general timeframes based on previous years’ schedules. The schedules are subject to change.
If you have general questions regarding admissions requirements for the programs, you can contact the Credential Student Service Center (credentials@csueastbay.edu 510.885.2272) or the Educational Services Administrative Office (510.885.3027 or Email: mseducation@csueastbay.edu). For more specific questions regarding the programs you can contact the program coordinator:
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Marriage and Family Therapy Program |
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School Counseling (option in MFT) |
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School Psychology |
Applicants may not complete any hours for MFT licensure or PPS credential prior to entering any MS in Counseling program.
Applicants for the school counseling program may be eligible to transfer up to 9 units from another graduate level counseling programs in some instances.
Other programs may not accept any transfer units.
All candidates are required to complete a minimum amount of hours in the field each semester. Candidates will complete a minimum of 900 Pupil Personnel Services hours in two of the three grade levels. In addition, candidates who choose to complete the Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) option will complete an additional 225 MFT hours in schools. Candidates are prepared for work with youth and adults who need support with academic, college/career, social-emotional, and mental health. Our program trains candidates to be trauma-informed counselors who promote resilience, mindfulness, and wellness by focusing on client strength. Our program is field-based and candidates learn theory in the classroom and practice what they learned in the schools under the supervision of site and university supervision.
Coursework and fieldwork experiences emphasize the development of our candidates’ ability to provide data-driven, comprehensive school counseling programs and services that meet California Commission on Teacher Credentialing standards, Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) statutes and regulations (pp. 23-26). Candidates acquire the knowledge and skills to develop, deliver, and evaluate consultation, individual counseling, small group counseling, and classroom guidance lessons.
Candidates who choose to complete the MFT option will complete specific assigned activities and supervised experiences related to the BBS licensure requirements.
Candidates will complete the following:
Candidates who graduate from our program must complete the following to be recommended for their degree, the Pupil Personnel Services Credential in school counseling, and the Associate Marriage and Family Therapy Registration:
Pupil Personnel Services Credential (PPS) in School Counseling
The PPS credential is required to work as a counselor in K-12 school settings. The Department of Educational Psychology does not issue any credential. Our program is accredited by the CTC and prepares candidates for the PPS in school counseling certification requirements in California. Candidates who successfully meet the program requirements for graduation and demonstrate proficiency in academic performance, clinical aptitudes, and professional dispositions will be recommended for the PPS credential.
Candidates apply for the PPS credential at the end of their second year after they have been recommended by the faculty for their satisfactory completion of all credential competency requirements including fieldwork experience, academic performance, clinical aptitudes, and professional dispositions. Failure to apply for the PPS credential may result in not receiving employment upon graduation.
Associate Marriage and Family Therapy (AMFT) Registration
The AMFT registration allows candidates to work as an intern after graduation until they complete all the Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) licensure requirements to become a licensed marriage and family therapist. Candidates who successfully meet all the program requirements for graduation and demonstrate proficiency in academic performance, clinical aptitudes, and professional dispositions will be recommended for the AMFT. The Department of Educational Psychology does not issue the registration nor do they issue any licenses. Our School Counseling Program with an option in MFT is designed to meet the educational requirements for the California MFT license issued by the BBS. This license requires additional experience beyond this degree, as well as written and oral exams administered by the BBS.
Candidates apply for the AMFT after they have been recommended by the faculty for their satisfactory completion of all MFT competency requirements including fieldwork experience, academic performance, clinical aptitudes, and professional dispositions. Candidates must apply for the AMT within 90 days of their degree being conferred by CSUEB. Failure to apply for the PPS credential may result in not receiving employment upon graduation.