Counseling and Guidance/College Student Personnel Specialization
The Master of Science in Counseling and Guidance with a Specialization in College Student Personnel prepares professionals for careers in student affairs and student services in colleges, universities and community colleges. A master’s degree in this area prepares individuals to work in various functions of student services, including academic advising, career counseling, residence life, admission and enrollment management, student activities, disabled student services, multicultural affairs, international student programs and adult re-entry programs.
Admission to the Master of Science in Counseling and Guidance, College Student Personnel Specialization
To assure a prompt admission decision, applicants for admission to the Counseling and Guidance/College Student Personnel Services Program should submit all application materials by July 1 for fall semester and November 1 for spring semester. All application materials are to be collected by the applicant and submitted together. Admission decisions for regular standing are based on the following materials in the applicant’s file:
- A completed application form and non-refundable application fee
- Official transcripts showing a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution
- Test scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or an approved petition to waive the examination, based on criteria cited below*
- A personal statement following the guidelines included in the admissions packet
- Three professional letters of recommendation
- Evidence of initial interview and program advisement with a faculty adviser
*Applicants whose undergraduate records do not satisfy the criteria set forth in paragraphs A-D below must include Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores in their admission portfolios. The GRE may be waived for applicants who present an official transcript of previous college work from a regionally accredited college or university reflecting any one of the following criteria:- An undergraduate, upper division grade point average of 3.0 or higher (on a 4.0 scale); or
- A combined grade point average of 3.0 or higher for the most recent 60 units of study consisting of any of the following: graduate course work, upper division postbaccalaureate course work (exclusive of extension or continuing education work) and upper division undergraduate course work; or
- A minimum of nine units of graduate course work completed with a 3.5 grade point average; or
- A previously earned master’s degree.
Note: International applicants must submit the following:
- An International Student Application Form and additional required documents
- GRE and TOEFL scores if undergraduate work was completed at other than a regionally accredited U.S. institution
Note: Changes in state law may alter requirements.
Requirements for the Master of Science in Counseling and Guidance, College Student Personnel Specialization
- Completion of the following: (38 units)
| EDCG 510A | Action Research | 3 |
| EDCG 512 | Lifespan Human Development | 3 |
| EDCG 521 | Counseling Theory and Practice | 3 |
| EDCG 522 | Tools for Research, Practice and Professional Development | 2 |
| EDCG 523 | Group Process and Leadership Group Process & Leadership | 3 |
| EDCG 526 | Microskills in Counseling | 3 |
| EDCG 527 | Educational and Career Planning | 3 |
| EDCG 528 | Practicum | 3 |
| EDCG 530 | Course EDCG 530 Not Found | 3 |
| EDCG 531 | Programs and Functions in College Student Personnel | 3 |
| EDCG 535 | Field Study in College Student Personnel | 2 |
| EDCG 566 | Educational Leadership | 3 |
| EDCG 582 | Legal and Ethical Issues in Higher Education | 3 |
| EDCG 583 | Professional Development in Practice | 1 |
| 2. Select one of the following: | 0-3 | |
Comprehensive Examination | ||
| Thesis | ||
| Total Hours | 38-41 | |
Courses
EDCG 504. School Law. (3).
Implications and trends of court decisions,
federal, state, and local, as they affect the
role of the counselor, teacher, and
administrator; their impact on district policy
and finance, and on district and local programs
and activities.
EDCG 510A. Action Research. (3).
A systematic study and analysis of current
research and methods of conducting research in
educational settings. The objectives in this
course focus on (A) knowledge base; (B)
techniques; and (C) applications of action
research. Prerequisite: EDCG 554.
EDCG 512. Lifespan Human Development. (3).
A comprehensive review and advanced study of the
maturation of both normal and exceptional
persons, from birth to senescence in physical,
social/emotional, cognitive and language areas.
Observation required.
EDCG 515. Advanced Educational Psychology. (3).
The learning process and its application in a
variety of settings with students of diverse
cultural, ethnic, racial, linguistic, and
socioeconomic backgrounds.
EDCG 521. Counseling Theory and Practice. (3).
Fundamentals of counseling: theoretical
approaches, the counseling process, and
cross-cultural perspectives. This course should
be taken during the first semester offered.
EDCG 522. Tools for Research, Practice and Professional Development. (2).
APA writing style, online research methods and
sources, technology for enhancing direct services
and software applications for educational
settings. To be taken the first semester offered.
EDCG 523. Group Process and Leadership Group Process & Leadership. (3).
Group counseling: foundation process, techniques
and application; lecture and laboratory.
Prerequisite: EDCG 521.
EDCG 524. Consultation Collaboration and Supervision. (3).
Theories and methods of effective consultation,
collaboration and supervision in educational
settings. Coordination of personnel and services
that impact student learning.
EDCG 525. Interventions for Safe Schools and the Promotion of Student Resiliency. (3).
Models and methods for effective prevention and
intervention programs for at-risk students.
EDCG 526. Microskills in Counseling. (3).
An emphasis on counseling knowledge and skills.
Includes in-class monitored practice.
Prerequisite: EDCG 521. (Graded P/NC only).
EDCG 527. Educational and Career Planning. (3).
Theoretical approaches, resources and techniques
utilized in assisting individuals to make their
educational and career choices.
EDCG 528. Practicum. (3).
Supervised field placement in a school,
postsecondary setting or community agency, with
100 (PPS) or 150 (CSP) field hours required.
Candidates must be supervised by an experienced
professional with an appropriate credential. Each
student will be involved in on-site experiences
which include the application of theory to
practice. Permission of adviser and application
required. Application must be submitted by the
last month of the previous semester.
Prerequisites: PPS Students-Proof of passage of
CBEST and Certificate of Clearance, EDCG 504,
521, 523, 524, 526, 527, and 529 (EDCG 529 may be
a co-requisite) and completion of 24 units;
College Student Personnel Students - EDCG 521,
523, 526, 527, 530 and 531.
EDCG 529. Organization and Administration of Pupil Personnel Services. (3).
Organization and administration of guidance and
counseling services in the schools. Includes
program planning, coordination, supervision,
budgeting and evaluation.
EDCG 531. Programs and Functions in College Student Personnel. (3).
Overview and analysis of college student
services, including historical and philosophical
foundations, program components and standards,
and evaluation. To be taken first semester
offered.
EDCG 532. Systems Approaches in Schools: School Counselor As Collaborative Leader. (3).
Theoretical perspectives and application of
systems leadership in school settings.
EDCG 533. Field Study in School Counseling I. (2).
Supervised field experience in a K-12 public
school setting under the supervision of an
experienced Pupil Personnel Services credential
holder at either an elementary, middle school or
high school, with 200-400 field hours required.
Adviser approval and application are required.
Prerequisite: EDCG 528 and recommendation of
Counseling and Guidance faculty committee.
(Graded P/NC only).
EDCG 534. Field Study in School Counseling II. (2).
Supervised field experience in a K-12 public
school setting under the supervision of an
experienced Pupil Personnel Services credential
holder at either an elementary, middle school or
high school, with 200-400 field hours required.
The school level must differ from that in 533.
The combined number of field hours required for
the two courses (533 and 534) is 600. The two
courses may not be taken concurrently. Adviser
approval and application are required.
Prerequisite: EDCG 533. (Graded P/NC only).
EDCG 535. Field Study in College Student Personnel. (2).
Supervised field experience in student services
departments and programs in a post secondary
setting under the supervision of an experienced
college student personnel professional. Required
number of hours: 150. Prerequisite: EDCG 528.
Adviser approval and application are required.
(Graded P/NC only).
EDCG 540. Child Welfare and Attendance Seminar. (3).
An emphasis on school, home and community factors
contributing to school attendance, related laws
and intervention programs designed to enhance
attendance and school safety. 150 hours of
fieldwork at a school site is required under the
supervision of an experienced PPS credential
holder. Prerequisite: Completion of PPS in School
Counseling.
EDCG 554. Educational Measurement. (3).
Assessment of typical and atypical pupils,
including the preparation, selection,
administration, scoring, and interpretation of
culturally appropriate normed and
criterion-referenced individual and group tests.
EDCG 566. Educational Leadership. (3).
The course is designed to develop an
understanding of management and leadership
theories, concepts, group processes,
decision-making, and planning. A variety of
leadership styles and practices which influence
student and employee performance will be reviewed
in these topical areas: power and influence,
delegating, trust-building, vision and mission
development, setting and fulfilling professional
and/or personal objectives, situational,
visionary and transformational leadership,
impediments to leader effectiveness,
organizational culture and principles of shared
leadership.
EDCG 582. Legal and Ethical Issues in Higher Education. (3).
This course provides an examination of the major
legal and ethical issues confronting student
affairs professionals and other administrators in
higher education settings. Federal regulations
and mandates, constitutional issues, tort
liability, and contractual relationships will be
covered. Ways of making practical decisions that
are legally and ethically sound are examined.
(This course also satisfies the Ed.D. law
proficiency requirement.).
EDCG 583. Professional Development in Practice. (1).
Seminar on professional development opportunities
and attendance at professional conference.
EDCG 590. Independent Study. (1-4).