Admission Requirements
The Department of Counseling welcomes applicants from diverse academic 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 Regulations 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:
- Counseling theories: a course that surveys the major theoretical frameworks in counseling and psychotherapy.
- Abnormal psychology or psychopathology.
- Human development or developmental psychology.
- 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.
Students interested in the Ánimo: Latinx Counseling Concentration need to first apply to the program and answer an additional question in their personal statement related to Ánimo. If accepted into the program, then they will be evaluated for the concentration. If not accepted into the concentration, they are still accepted into the traditional program.
For further information, including deadlines and the admissions process, please visit the Counseling website.
Advancement to Practicum
Students undergo a comprehensive evaluation in the semester prior to their first practicum (COUN 530A or COUN 530B ). This evaluation determines advancement to practicum. Advancement to practicum requires:
- 3.0 GPA for graduate courses.
- A “B” (3.0) or better in COUN 526 .
- 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 or COUN 530B , COUN 590 , COUN 584A or COUN 584B or COUN 591 ) and who are seeing clients at their agency site are designated as Trainees by the BBS.
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