Counseling, Department of

Return to: College of Health and Human Development

Department Chair

Leah Brew

Department Office/Website

Education Classroom 405
657-278-8444
hhd.fullerton.edu/counsel

Faculty

Leah Brew, Joseph M. Cervantes, Sapna Batra Chopra, Matt Englar-Carlson, Jeffrey Kottler, Olga L. Mejía, Mary Read, Ginamarie Scherzi, David S. Shepard, and Rebekah Smart

Introduction

The Department of Counseling offers a Master of Science in Counseling, with a specialty in marriage and family therapy.

Our program meets the educational requirements established by the California State Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) to pursue licensure as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT, Business and Professions Code Section 4980.36 and 4980.37) and as a Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC, Business and Professions Code Section 4999.32 or 4999.33, which took effect Aug. 1, 2012),

The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), has granted accreditation until March 31, 2023, to the following program in the Department of Counseling at California State University, Fullerton: Clinical Mental Health Counseling (M.S.).

We emphasize training clinicians who can serve the needs of individuals, couples, families and groups in their communities. We train students to provide counseling to adults, children, adolescents, couples and families. Our students learn to diagnose and design treatment plans, provide short-term and long-term counseling, conduct group therapy, work with addictions, provide crisis intervention, provide career counseling and maintain a professional identity as a counselor and marriage and family therapist in the community. The program strongly emphasizes a multicultural perspective. We are a culturally diverse faculty that specializes in working with students from different backgrounds. We prepare culturally competent counselors who will be sensitive to the diverse cultural heritages, lifestyles and special needs of individuals and families living in our community.

Degree Description

Mission: The faculty in the Department of Counseling are committed to training competent professionals who are eligible for licensure as Marriage and Family Therapists or Professional Clinical Counselors in clinical mental health settings in the state of California. We work with students from diverse cultural and economic backgrounds who are committed to improving the quality of life for children and adults in the community. We utilize an integrated approach in conceptualizing prevention, assessment, treatment and research. Practice-based student learning is constructed through partnerships with nonprofit agencies in diverse communities. Students are expected to engage in reflective practice, to consistently apply ethical standards, to practice cultural sensitivity, and to take responsibility for social change. We collaborate with students as they develop cultural competence and professional identities that incorporate a dedication to service and life-long learning. We strive to create an education that is guided by relevant community needs and research on learning.

Admission into programs leading to licensure and credentialing does not guarantee that students will obtain a license or credential. Licensure and credentialing requirements are set by agencies that are not controlled by or affiliated with the CSU and requirements can change at any time. For example, licensure or credentialing requirements can include evidence of the right to work in the United States (e.g., social security number or taxpayer identification number) or successfully passing a criminal background check. Students are responsible for determining whether they can meet licensure or credentialing requirements. The CSU will not refund tuition, fees, or any associated costs, to students who determine subsequent to admission that they cannot meet licensure or credentialing requirements.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Master of Science in Counseling

Programs and Courses Offered

Programs

• Counseling, M.S.

Courses

Courses are designated as COUN in the class schedule.

• COUN 252 - Career and Life Planning (3)
• COUN 350 - Leadership Skills and Personal Development (3)
• COUN 380 - Theories and Techniques of Counseling (3)
• COUN 449 - Seminar on Child Abuse (1)
• COUN 500 - The Counseling Profession (3)
• COUN 502 - Career and Lifestyle Development (3)
• COUN 511 - Pre-Practicum (3)
• COUN 518 - Human Development and Functioning (3)
• COUN 520 - Modes of Individual Counseling (3)
• COUN 521 - Research in Counseling (3)
• COUN 522 - Techniques of Brief Treatment and Assessment (3)
• COUN 523 - Counseling and Culture (3)
• COUN 524 - Child and Adolescent Counseling (3)
• COUN 525 - Psychopharmacology for Counselors (3)
• COUN 526 - Professional, Ethical and Legal Issues in Counseling (3)
• COUN 527 - Systems of Family Counseling (3)
• COUN 528 - Groups: Process and Practice (3)
• COUN 530 - Practicum (3)
• COUN 535 - Addictions Counseling (3)
• COUN 538 - Crisis Intervention and Trauma Treatment (3)
• COUN 560 - Appraisal in Counseling (3)
• COUN 562 - Counseling Couples (3)
• COUN 584 - Advanced Practicum (3)
• COUN 590 - Advanced Counseling Techniques (1-3)
• COUN 591 - Advanced Practicum II (3)
• COUN 597 - Project (3)
• COUN 598 - Thesis (1-3)
• COUN 599 - Independent Study (1-3)

Return to: College of Health and Human Development