Counseling, M.S.

Master of Science in Counseling

The Master of Science in Counseling is approved by the California State Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) to meet all of the educational requirements preparing students for state licensure as Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT) and as Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors (LPCC). It is also nationally accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). The program emphasizes training clinicians who can serve the needs of individuals and families in their communities and provide evidence-based brief and long-term counseling while maintaining professional identities as counselors and marriage and family therapists. The program strongly emphasizes a multicultural perspective; preparing counselors who will be sensitive to the diverse ethnic and religious heritages, lifestyles and special needs of individuals and families.

The M.S. in Counseling (not the Animo: Latinx Counseling Emphasis) is also offered through Extension and International Programs  at a higher tuition rate.

Admission Requirements

The Department of Counseling welcomes applicants from diverse academic, social and cultural backgrounds. Preparation for the counseling profession is rigorous and multifaceted, necessitating the student’s development in interpersonal, self-reflective and academic realms. Students must meet the CSU requirements for admission to a master’s degree program. Please consult the Graduate Admissions  section in this catalog for complete information.

In addition, admission to the program is based upon indicators of the applicant’s potential for becoming an effective counseling practitioner including, but not limited to grade point average (GPA), letters of reference, personal statement and departmental interview. A minimum GPA of 3.0 for the four undergraduate prerequisite behavioral science courses (or equivalent) is required. The prerequisites are as follows: (1) Counseling Theories (a course that surveys the major theoretical frameworks in counseling and psychotherapy); (2) Abnormal Psychology or Psychopathology; (3) Human Development or Developmental Psychology; and (4) Research Methods or Statistics. At least two of the four prerequisite courses must be completed prior to the time of entrance into the program. Admission is not based on any single factor, but on a composite assessment of all factors and is at the sole discretion of the Counseling Department’s Admissions Committee.

For further information, including deadlines and the admissions process, please visit our website: hhd.fullerton.edu/counsel.

Classification and Advancement to Practicum

All students begin the program as conditionally classified students. During the first semester of graduate coursework, students meet with the New Student Adviser to write their study plans. After the study plan has been approved by the Office of Graduate Studies, students are considered classified.

Each student undergoes a comprehensive evaluation in the semester prior to his or her first Practicum (COUN 530A ). This evaluation determines advancement to practicum. Advancement to practicum requires: 3.0 GPA for graduate courses; “B” (3.0) or better in COUN 526 ; and successfully passing the faculty’s ongoing assessment of the student’s aptitude and suitability for the counseling profession, progress in skill development, interpersonal and cultural sensitivity, readiness to see clients, and ethical and professional conduct. A student may be: (a) advanced to practicum; (b) required to postpone practicum and complete remedial steps required by the faculty; or (c) disqualified from the program. Students in practicum (COUN 530A , COUN 590 , COUN 584A  or COUN 591 ) and who are seeing clients at their agency site are designated as Trainees by the BBS.

Notice and Disqualification

Students may be placed on academic or administrative-academic notice. Students may also be disqualified for a variety of reasons. See the “Graduate Regulations ” section of the catalog for university policies and the Student Handbook for departmental policies on our website: http://hhd.fullerton.edu/counsel.

Required Courses (63 units)

• COUN 500 - The Counseling Profession (3)
• COUN 502 - Career and Lifestyle Development (3)
• COUN 511A - Pre-Practicum (3)
• COUN 518 - Human Development and Functioning (3)
• COUN 520 - Modes of Individual Counseling (3)
• COUN 521 - Research in Counseling (3) (first half of the final research project)
• COUN 522A - Diagnosis and Treatment Planning (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 527A - Systems of Family Counseling (3)
• COUN 528 - Groups: Process and Practice (3)
• COUN 530A - Practicum (3) (fieldwork in a community agency)
• COUN 535 - Addictions Counseling (3)
• COUN 538 - Crisis Intervention and Trauma Treatment (3)
• COUN 560 - Appraisal in Counseling (3)
• COUN 562 - Intimate Partner and Couples Counseling (3)
• COUN 584A - Advanced Practicum (3)
• COUN 590 - Advanced Counseling Techniques (1-3)
• COUN 597 - Project (3) (second half of the final research project)

Total (63 units)