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What is the difference between school counseling and school psychology programs?
School Counseling
The specialization in school counseling authorizes the candidate to perform the following duties:
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Develop, plan, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive, data-driven school counseling program that includes academic, college/career, social-emotional, and mental health services.
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Advocate for the academic, college/career, social-emotional, and mental health needs of all applicants.
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Utilize school data to make informed decisions to address inequities in school.
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Provide schoolwide prevention and intervention strategies and counseling services.
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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:
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Provide services that enhance academic performance.
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Design strategies and programs to address problems of adjustment.
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Consult with other educators and parents on issues of social development and behavioral and academic difficulties.
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Conduct psycho-educational assessment for purposes of identifying special needs.
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Provide psychological counseling for individuals, groups, and families.
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Coordinate intervention strategies for the management of individuals and schoolwide crises.
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When are courses offered? Do you offer fully online classes?
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.
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Can I apply to more than one program?
No, you may only apply to one program at a time.
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Do you offer a PPS Credential-only program for applicants who already have a Master’s degree?
We do not offer a credential-only program at this time.
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What happens if I can’t make it to one of the program informational sessions?
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.
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What is the admission process?
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:
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Can I apply with any Bachelor’s degree major and work/volunteer background?
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.
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Is there a GPA requirement?
The minimum GPA requirement for the department is 3.0.
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Is a GRE score required? Can I use my score from last year for this year’s applications?
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.
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What are the prerequisite courses and where they can be completed?
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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Where can I learn more about the profession?
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.
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Why is there an interview process?
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.
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When and how will I be notified about an interview for the program?
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.
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What is the WST- Writing Skills Test?
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:
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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.
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If you have graduated from any one of the CSU campuses; unless it is noted on your transcript that your USWR was not satisfied.
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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.
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If you pass the Writing Skills Test (WST) at CSU East Bay.
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If you pass a first-tier writing course and possibly a second-tier writing course (if needed).
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What is the program of study?
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.
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Is there any advisor that I could speak to about the program?
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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Can I count towards the MFT license or PPS credential before I start the program?
Applicants may not complete any hours for MFT licensure or PPS credential prior to entering any MS in Counseling program.
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Will you accept any transfer units from another institution?
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.