Master of Science in Counseling Program Overview
The MS Counseling Program at CSUSB offers varying pathways for students to achieve their personal and professional goals. The Master of Science in Counseling meets the general and advanced areas of study to prepare students for a career in various professional counseling positions. When students apply to the program, they have to select a pathway from the following three options:
- Combined concentration (Dual),
- Professional counseling concentration, or
- School counseling concentration.
The degree houses two distinct concentrations: professional counseling and school counseling. The professional counseling concentration prepares students to become Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors (LPCC), regulated by The California Board of Behavioral Sciences. While CSUSB does not grant the LPCC, upon completing the degree, you can apply to the Board of Behavioral Sciences for an intern number. The school counseling concentration prepares students for a California Pupil Personnel Services Credential (PPS) granted by the California Teaching Commission. Either can be completed as a stand-alone degree or combined to meet the LPCC and PPS credential requirements.
Regardless of concentration, all students complete the program in three years. Our program uses a cohort model. This means that all students, regardless of concentration(s), start in the Fall semester. Students move through the program in three years, taking most courses on a Monday/Wednesday OR Tuesday/Thursday schedule. Typically, on a semester system, students will take four classes per semester, two each night.
If a student decides to change concentrations early on in the program, they must consult with the program coordinator & faculty advisor.
The MS Counseling – Dual Concentration (Professional Counseling & School Counseling) prepares students to work in a range of counseling settings, as students will meet the requirements for both the LPCC and PPS Credentials. The dual concentration pathway can be completed for 72-75 units. Most students in the MS Counseling Program enroll and complete the dual concentration as it prepares them to maximize potential opportunities after the program.
The Professional Counseling Concentration prepares students to become Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors (LPCC) as regulated by The California Board of Behavioral Sciences. While CSUSB does not grant the LPCC, you can apply to the Board of Behavioral Sciences for an intern number upon completing the degree. The Professional Counseling Concentration can be achieved for a total of 60 units.
The School Counseling Concentration prepares students to become professional school counselors in K-12, as students will be recommended after the completion of studies for a California Pupil Personnel Services Credential (PPS) as granted by the California Teaching Commission (CTC). The School Counseling Concentration can be completed for a total of 60 units.
You can view the Program Course Sequence by viewing this link.