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MS in Counseling College of Education

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Program Format & Accreditation

About the Program

We are a CACREP-accredited, 3-year, full time (12 units per semester), in-person program for a Masters of Science in Counseling, with emphasis in one of four concentrations:

  • Career Counseling;
  • Marriage, Couple, & Family Counseling (MCFC);
  • Rehabilitation Counseling; and
  • School Counseling.

This degree is aimed at preparing our students to pursue careers in the mental health counseling field. For more information on the different concentrations, see the About Our Four Concentrations page.

Students are admitted to the fall semester and take courses each fall and spring. The final year culminates with an internship experience and comprehensive examination.

The program is organized using a cohort model – this means that recently admitted students start classes together as a cohort each fall, then together, follow a designated course sequence each semester over the 3-year program, intermixing students from all four concentrations within the core curriculum classes. This cohort course sequence aims to allow (a) our students to experience the program in a connected and supportive environment, (b) for classes to strategically build upon the lessons from previous semesters, and (c) for our students to build future industry networks with other specializations.

An example of our cohort sequence of classes

Our program is designed to meet the needs and interests of a diverse society. Our clinical training program places an emphasis both personal and professional development throughout the course curriculum and experiential opportunities. In addition, we require our Counselors-in-Training to participate in their own personal counseling with outside professionals to assist in their counselor identity development. Once completed, graduates are equipped with a strong foundation in counseling theory, skills, and resources across the four counseling disciplines.

Our program provides opportunities for socializing and building connections through our student clubs and organizations such as the Student Counseling Society, Counseling Ambassadors, Chi Sigma Iota, and the Community Advisory Board. Our students can participate in fun activities geared towards team building, social events, legislative advocacy, and community service, to name a few. They can also gather information from their fellow peers in partnership with faculty to enact positive change.

We are a CACREP-accredited, 3-year, full time (12 units per semester), in-person program for a Masters of Science in Counseling, with emphasis in one of four concentrations:

  • Career Counseling;
  • Marriage, Couple, & Family Counseling (MCFC);
  • Rehabilitation Counseling; and
  • School Counseling.

Licensing & Credentials

Our program gives students a foundation aligned with licensure and/or credentials in the mental field. Those opportunities include:

  • LPCC - California Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor
  • LMFT - California Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist
  • PPS-SC - Pupil Personnel Services - School Counseling credential in California
  • NCC - National Certified Counselor
  • CCC - Certified Career Counselor
  • CRC - Certified Rehabilitation Counselor

* MS in Counseling (School) students will need to take EDC 254 as an additional course for LPCC eligibility.

Concentration Potential CA Licenses/Credentials Other Possible Credentials
Career LPCC NCC; CCC
Marriage, Couple, & Family LPCC; LMFT NCC
Rehabilitation LPCC NCC; CRC
School PPS-SC; LPCC* NCC

Roadmap for Obtaining LPCC or LMFT Licensure

  1. Obtain a Qualifying Master's Degree - California requires that students complete a BBSevaluated program for the respective license which includes a minimum number of practicum and internship hours working in a professional clinical counseling setting. Other states may require a CACREP, COAMFTE, and/or other state-specific requirements.
  2. Register for an Associates License – This step also requires a criminal background check and fingerprint requirement
  3. Take & Pass the California Law & Ethics Exam
  4. Accrue Supervised Hours – the number and requirements of hours vary by license (see below for more information; this process typically takes 2 – 3 years post-graduation)
  5. Take & Pass the California Clinical Exam for Respective License – CA uses the NCMHCE for LPCC, and the CA LMFT Clinical Exam for LMFT. In order for these exams to count towards licensure in California, candidates must obtain BBS approval to sit for licensing exams before taking their exams.

For more information on this process, please see the following resources:

National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC)

Our program is CACREP accredited which provides our counselors-in-training the opportunity to apply for the National Certified Counselor (NCC) credential. During the final semester of the program, graduating student information is provided to NBCC and our counselors-in-training receive the invitation to take either the National Counseling Exam (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Exam (NCMHCE). Upon successfully passing the exam, they receive their National Certified Counselor (NCC) credential. For more information about NBCC Credentials, visit: https://www.nbcc.org/

*Please note some states will accept the NCE exam while other states accept the NCMHCE exam for licensing as a Professional Counselor and/or Professional Clinical Counselor. Check with the respective state board as to which exam will serve as the licensing exam. California utilizes the NCMHCE exam but requires board approval to sit for the exam.

Program Accreditation & Outcomes

CACREP Accreditation

The MS in Counseling program and all four concentrations are accredited by the Council of Accreditation for Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).

CACREP

The vision of CACREP is to provide leadership and to promote excellence in professional preparation through the accreditation of counseling and related educational programs. CACREP maintains collaborative relationships with other groups that focus on accreditation, licensing, certification, and the professional development of counselors and related practitioners.

The mission of CACREP is to promote the professional competence of counseling and related practitioners through

  • the development of preparation standards;
  • the encouragement of excellence in program development; and
  • the accreditation of professional preparation programs.

Every year the MS in Counseling program assesses student learning and program outcomes. We disseminate this report and discuss the findings with our Community Advisory Board. The results of our latest CACREP Outcomes Report can be found below.

Outcomes Report

California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS)

The California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) identifies and evaluates California schools with LPCC & LMFT programs. Under BBS evaluation, our program has been found to meet the requirements both for LPCC licensure, pursuant to California Business and Professions Code (BPC) §4999.33, and for LMFT licensure, pursuant to California Business and Professions Code (BPC) §4980.36.

California Commission on Teacher Credentialing

The School Counseling concentration in the MS in Counseling program is accredited by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC). Therefore, embedded within the program and concentration is the Pupil Personnel Services- School Counselor (PPS-SC) credential. The mission of CTC is to ensure integrity, relevance, and high quality in the preparation, certification, and discipline of the educators who serve all of California’s diverse students.

BBS/PPS Forms Information

Credential Office contact for those seeking BBS form A/B and PPS Credential forms for licensure/credentialing:

Credential Office: credentials@csus.edu
916-278-4567

Program Leadership & Contacts

Our Offices

College of Education
Eureka Hall, Room 401
Phone: (916) 278-6639


Counselor Education Programs: coe-counselored@csus.edu
Counselor Education Internships: coe-counseloredfieldwork@csus.edu
College of Education Graduate Programs: coe-grad@csus.edu

Program Coordinators

Program Coordinator: Dr. Bita Rivas
Fieldwork Coordinator: Dr. Anthony Rivas
Assessment & Accreditation Coordinator: Dr. Ebony Williams
Clinic Coordinator: Dr. Rachael Marshall