Master of Science in Educational Counseling with Internship Option (California)
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Program Overview
Degree:
Master of Science in Educational Counseling with Internship Option (California) Degree
Application:
$0 application fee. No essays/exams.
The Master of Science in Educational Counseling with PPS Credential degree provides the academic pathways for students who are committed to the professional practice of counseling in schools. The program is designed to prepare educational counselors to be reflective social justice leaders that advocate for positive institutional transformation that promotes anti-racist, just and equitable outcomes for all students. Students will be prepared to deliver culturally responsive services to a pluralistic society and will develop comprehensive counseling skills informed by theory, research and practice.
Pupil Personnel Service School Counseling
The Pupil Personnel Services Credential – School Counseling (PPS-SC) provides the students with the acquired skills to become social justice leaders and competent school-based mental health professionals through a program of study aligned with the American School Counselor Association’s (ASCA) National Standards. This pathway provides PPS candidates with the acquired skills, knowledge, and abilities to become a professional school counselor and involves a combination of coursework, practicum, and fieldwork.
Successful completion of this program of study leads to a master’s degree with the Pupil Personnel Services Credential in School Counseling and a Child Welfare and Attendance (CWA) authorization. Credentials and authorizations are awarded through the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC).
Students enrolled in the credential pathway are awarded the master’s degree once they have successfully completed all the coursework, a capstone project, and the PRAXIS exam. All coursework must be completed prior to the PPS-SC credential recommendation. Course equivalence will not be granted for life experiences. This program is only available to California residents.
For additional information on credential requirements, please see the Sanford College of Education Credential Information section of the catalog.
Degree Requirements
To receive a Master of Science in Educational Counseling, students must complete at least 72 quarter units of graduate work. A total of 13.5 quarter units of graduate credit may be granted for equivalent graduate work completed at another accredited institution, as it applies to this degree if the units were not used in earning another advanced degree.
National University awards credit in quarter units, with each academic year divided into four 12-week quarters.
Each quarter is made up of three 4-week classes, with one class per month. Under the current policy, 4.5 units of credit are awarded for courses.
*State Credential Disclosure Information
The Master of Science in Educational Counseling Program (PPS-SC) is currently operating using credential guidelines for California only. Students who wish to use this program for credentials in other states must contact the appropriate regulatory board for more information.
For up-to-date information on program licensure eligibility requirements for a state, please visit: Licensure Disclosures
Core Requirements
13 Courses
Foundations of Professional EC
4.5 Quarter Units
Prerequisite: 5 year CA Certificate of Clearance (CL-900) is needed before enrolling in the course.
This course examines the history of educational counseling and provides context for the current state of the profession, within a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) lens. Core counseling theories will be presented and explored within the context of schools and colleges. American School Counselor Association (ASCA) and American Counseling Association (ACA) models will be introduced and examined.
EDC Equity Driven Leadership
4.5 Quarter Units
Prerequisite: EDC 600
The educational counselor’s role as a leader, advocate, and systems change agent is explored. Theories and principles of equity within educational contexts is critiqued. The content identifies and addresses prejudice, power, personal biases, attitudes, oppression, and privilege that affect self and school communities, with the purpose of creating more safe, secure and nurturing learning environments.
Ethics&Legal Mandates for EC
4.5 Quarter Units
Prerequisite: EDC 601
Provides an introduction to the ethical and legal obligations to students, parents, administrators, and teachers. Provides knowledge of federal and state laws, county ordinances, and district policies related to the rights of historically marginalized populations. Professional and ethical boundaries in school counseling relationships are examined per guidelines created by American School American School Counselor Association, American Counseling Association.
SEL & Academic Development
4.5 Quarter Units
Prerequisite: EDC 602
Understanding of historical and contemporary theories across the lifespan. Utilizing a systemic perspective, the course examines academic, physical, cognitive, language, and moral development. Cultural assets and family configuration patterns, emphasizing social emotional learning as it relates to racial, ethnic, gender, sexual orientation and socio-economic status.
Cultural Conscious Counseling
4.5 Quarter Units
Prerequisite: EDC 602
Understanding of historical and contemporary theories across the lifespan. Utilizing a systemic perspective, the course examines academic, physical, cognitive, language, and moral development. Cultural assets and family configuration patterns, emphasizing social emotional learning as it relates to racial, ethnic, gender, sexual orientation and socio-economic status.
Individual/Group Counseling
4.5 Quarter Units
Prerequisite: EDC 604
Course reviews and evaluates the core counseling theories that work most effectively in schools, such as but not limited to: Adlerian Theory, Choice Theory, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Family Systems, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), Motivational Interviewing, Person-Centered Counseling, Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), and Solution-Focused Brief Counseling (SFBC).
Individual/Group Counseling
4.5 Quarter Units
Prerequisite: EDC 605A
Introduce and further develop the core counseling theories that work most effectively in schools, such as but not limited to: Adlerian Theory, Choice Theory, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Family Systems, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), Motivational Interviewing, Person-Centered Counseling, Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), and Solution-Focused Brief Counseling (SFBC).
Trauma Informed Counseling
4.5 Quarter Units
Prerequisite: EDC 605B
Learn to provide treatment strategies to school populations who have experienced trauma-related issues. Through defining and understanding trauma-informed care, SC’s will help students cope with a variety of high stress situations.
Current Trends in Schools
4.5 Quarter Units
Prerequisite: EDC 606
Theories and principles of equity are examined for the purpose of creating more safe, secure and nurturing learning environments. Exploration of the current role of the school counselor in PreK-14 academic tiered systems of support, developing strategies to intervene academically through appraisal, advisement, individual student planning and goal-setting. The course builds upon students’ strengths and assets to support all students, especially historically underserved students. Current social issues are identified, such as cyber bullying, social media literacy, alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs, suicide, truancy, LGBTQ+ awareness and empowerment, prevention and intervention strategies within school communities.
College & Career Counseling
4.5 Quarter Units
Prerequisite: EDC 607
Articulate the role of the school counselor in PreK-14 college/career tiered systems of support utilizing knowledge and understanding of state and local graduation requirements, and provisions for marginalized populations. Apply educational transitional strategies, including career development and exploration, throughout the lifespan including using multiple career assessments and planning tools applying knowledge and understanding of local and national career and job market trends.
EDC Evaluation and Assessment
4.5 Quarter Units
Prerequisite: EDC 608
The course provides the foundation of educational inquiry and data analysis processes that help develop, implement, and evaluate comprehensive educational counseling programs. The course provides candidates with the skills and knowledge related to the evaluation and assessment of data that ensures access and equitable educational outcomes and the examination of comprehensive educational counseling programs that drive policy and create systematic change, including academic, college/career and social emotional development for PK-14 educational systems will be articulated.
Intro EDC Research Methods
4.5 Quarter Units
Prerequisite: EDC 609
The course provides an introduction to the basic principles of research design in schools and program evaluation as applied to educational counseling. Fundamental concepts and practices in educational research, methods, design, analysis, and conclusions, will be covered with the utilization of the current American Psychological Association (APA) research writing style . The course is designed to prepare candidates for the research project that will be completed during the capstone course, EDC 611 Research in Schools.
Research in Schools
9.0 Quarter Units
Prerequisite: EDC 610
The course provides an overview of the basic principles of research design in schools and program evaluation as applied to school counseling. The course addresses fundamental concepts and practices of educational inquiry, research, methods, design, and analysis. The course is designed as the capstone course in which candidates will select a topic of interest and demonstrate research and evaluation competencies by completing an educational research project.
Pupil Personnel Service School Counseling Credential
4 Course
For the Pupil Personnel Service School Counseling Credential, the completion of two fieldwork courses are required EDC612A and EDC612B.
One of the following 2 Grouped Courses:
Fieldwork Experience A
4.5 Quarter Units
Prerequisite: EDC 600; EDC 601; EDC 602; EDC 603; EDC 604; EDC 605A; EDC 605B
This course focuses upon the experiences school counseling students are engaged in during program-approved field placements. Students participate in supervision in PK-12 public school settings in conjunction with the course instructor, which includes group supervision with their peers and a self-care plan. This course is for students in their first term of fieldwork.
Fieldwork Experience B
4.5 Quarter Units
Prerequisite: EDC 612A
This course focuses upon the experiences school counseling students are engaged in during program-approved field placements. Students participate in supervision in PK-12 public school settings in conjunction with the course instructor, which includes group supervision with their peers and a self-care plan. This course is for students in their second term of fieldwork.
*INTERNSHIP OPTION* ONLY available to candidates who have been hired by a Public School District as a School Counselor. These two courses will need to be pre-approved for enrollment into the Internship courses (EDC613A & EDC613B).
Internship A
4.5 Quarter Units
Prerequisite: EDC 600; EDC 601; EDC 602; EDC 603; EDC 604; EDC 605A; EDC 605B; EDC 606; EDC 607; EDC 608; EDC 609; EDC 610; EDC 611
Engagement in school counseling fieldwork experiences during a program-approved paid internship. Students participate in supervision in a PK-12 public school setting in conjunction with the course instructor, which includes group supervision with their peers and a self-care plan. This course is for students with program-approved School Counselor paid internships only.
Internship B
4.5 Quarter Units
Prerequisite: EDC 613A
Engagement in school counseling fieldwork experiences during a program-approved paid internship. Students participate in supervision in a PK-12 public school setting in conjunction with the course instructor, which includes group supervision with their peers and a self-care plan. This course is for students with program-approved School Counselor paid internships only.
Career Outlook
The Master of Science in Educational Counseling with Internship Option (California) degree will prepare you for careers such as:
- Top Jobs in this field
- Median Salary (USA)
- JOB Openings (USA)
- Educational, Guidance, and Vocational Counselors
- $61,638 avg. salary (USA)
- 32,741 job openings (past yr.) past year
Most desired skills
- Student Services
- School Counseling
- Academic Advising
- Social Work
- Psychology
- Marketing
- Case Management
Top companies hiring for this role
- Unclassified
- Goodwill
- City Year
- University of California
- California State University
- The University of Texas System
- McLaren Health Care
Program Learning Outcomes
Learn the key skills to help you excel in your field of study.
- Advocate for all PK-14 students by employing anti-racist practice within educational foundations, growth and development, learning theory, and academic achievement.
- Implement the basic foundations of school counseling professional standards.
- Perform as equitable driven leaders and promote social justice efforts to enhance inclusivity and access for all.
- Distinguish among major developmental theories of practice (personality, social, physical, emotional, and cognitive development) and chronological stages of human development that impact student academic development and life- long learning.
- Examine, assess, and construct academic, social, and emotional comprehensive development programs with research-based practices.
- Evaluate legal and ethical practices of professional school counseling.
- Evaluate and assess program development for equitable outcomes.
- Demonstrate competence in the application of research methods.
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Class of 2016
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Program Disclosure
Successful completion and attainment of National University degrees do not lead to automatic or immediate licensure, employment, or certification in any state/country. The University cannot guarantee that any professional organization or business will accept a graduate’s application to sit for any certification, licensure, or related exam for the purpose of professional certification.
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