Counseling

College of Health and Human Services
Dean: Donald P. Zingale

Department of Counseling
BH 524
415-338-2005
Fax: 415-338-0594
E-mail: counsel@sfsu.edu
Chair: Eugene Zwillinger

Graduate Coordinator: E. Zwillinger

Faculty

 Professors--Chope, Cummings, Falik, Hittner, Nemon, Tanaka, Zwillinger, E.

Associate Professors--Dew, Leal-Idrogo, Lee, Smith

Assistant Professor--Hurley

Programs

Minor in Counseling

M.S. in Counseling

M.S. in Counseling: Concentration in Marriage, Family, and Child Counseling

M.S. in Rehabilitation Counseling

Program Scope

The primary purpose of the Department of Counseling is to train professional, competent, culturally sensitive counselors. Towards this end, the department emphasizes skill development, a strong conceptual base, an ethical orientation, a sensitivity to ethnic-cultural differences, as well as a focus upon personal awareness and growth. The program prepares counselors to function professionally in a number of specialized areas: school; career; rehabilitation; college; gerontology; and marriage, family, and child counseling.

While the immediate goal of the Department of Counseling is to prepare counselors to work in the varied communities that make-up the greater Bay Area,it is aware and responsive to the larger context of the society. The department is committed to recruiting and accepting a multi-racial, multi-ethnic, sexually diverse student body. In this manner, it hopes to provide service-oriented professionals who are familiar with and responsive to the needs of the larger community.

The Department of Counseling offers a graduate-level education and training program that prepares individuals to function as counselors in colleges, public and private schools, business and industry, rehabilitation and mental health settings, and as marriage and family counselors. Students who complete the department's programs will acquire competency in common core areas such as: theories of counseling, human development, socio-cultural factors, assessment and diagnosis, career development, abnormal behavior, basic interviewing skills, group counseling skills, and research. During their course of study, students encounter many points of view and are free to choose the professional approach with which they are most comfortable. In addition to the academic program, the department emphasizes students' professional development and personal growth.

The Department of Counseling offers three master's degrees: the Master of Science in Counseling; the Master of Science in Counseling with a Concentration in Marriage, Family, and Child Counseling; and the Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling. Upon completion of the above, students are eligible for the following:

Students who desire to pursue a M.S. degree will select electives according to their chosen area of specialization. Students can specialize in more than one area of counseling. For example, a student whose objective is an MFCC license will follow the curriculum for the M.S. in Counseling: Concentration in MFCC, but may also add a second specialization in school, career, college, gerontology, or rehabilitation counseling by taking all required courses in the specialization.

The Department of Counseling also offers a Minor in Counseling. The program is designed to meet the following needs: (1) students who want training as a paraprofessional or counselor aide; (2) students who want to supplement majors which have some involvement with the helping professions; or (3) students who are considering graduate study in counseling.

Accreditation. The Department of Counseling programs in school, college, career, gerontology, and marriage and family counseling are accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Counselor Education and Related Education Programs (CACREP). The Rehabilitation Counseling program has national accreditation from the Council on Rehabilitation Education.

Career Outlook

Students graduating with a master's degree in counseling are eligible for a variety of career options. The profession of counseling is a process where counselors assist clients to learn about themselves and learn to help themselves within their respective environments. The role of the professional counselor calls for individuals who possess skills, attitudes, and knowledge needed to help people make personal life decisions.

Career Counselors work in settings such as schools, colleges, or employee assistance programs in business and industry. They may also open a private practice. Employment outlook--Excellent.

College Counselors may become student services professionals such as activities advisers, EOP counselors, financial aide and recruitment counselors, in two- and four-year institutions. They may also work for counseling and advising centers. Employment outlook--Very Good.

School Counselors, upon graduation, receive their State of California Pupil Personnel Services Credential with a specialization in School Counseling (K-12) and work in public and private school settings. They do personal and academic counseling and work in an integrated services team approach with other mental health and education professionals. Employment outlook--Good.

Gerontology Counselors work with older adults and their families performing case management and counseling in consultation with family members. Settings may include senior centers, residential homes, agencies, and hospices. Employment outlook--Good.

MFC Counselors, upon graduation, are eligible to sit for the State of California MFCC license examination after accumulating a total of 3,000 hours (1,700 must be post-master's). MFCCs work in school, college, agency, and business and industrial settings. Upon receiving the MFCC license, they may also open a private practice. Employment outlook--Very Good.

Rehabilitation Counselors may become Certified Rehabilitation Counselors (CRC) upon passing the national examination. They work in private and public rehabilitation settings with persons who have a variety of disabilities. Employment outlook--Excellent.

MINOR IN COUNSELING

The minor offers four areas of study for all students:

The Field of Counseling. Students are introduced to the counseling profession through an overview of role and functions in career, college, marriage, family and child, mental health, and rehabilitation settings; historical perspective; professional identification; ethical considerations; and self-awareness.

Psychological Understandings. Students receive a general introduction to the field of psychology.

Decision Making. Students examine how individuals make choices and how decisions are made through self-assessment and evaluation by others. The study includes ethnic and cultural differences in the decision-making process.

Skill Training. The development of basic skills which include attending, responding, interpretation, and decision making. The training includes practicum experience in interviewing skills.

Courses for this program are listed in alphabetical sequence (consult Index for page reference).

Units

Curriculum

PSY 200		General Psychology					3
PSY 431		Developmental Psychology or
SW 410		Human Development and the Social Services		3
COUN 325	Career Development and Leadership			3
COUN 605	Interviewing Skills Practicum				3
COUN 606	Interviewing Skills					3
COUN 690	Field of Counseling					3
Electives chosen in consultation with the department's
undergraduate coordinator						6-8
Total for minor								24-26

GRADUATE PROGRAMS IN COUNSELING

General Information

 The Department of Counseling requires at least 60 units of approved graduate work for the Master of Science degrees. All students go through a basic core sequence of academic courses including four semesters of supervised counseling practice and internship. Students select electives according to their area of specialization. Two different academic year field placements are required. The department works collaboratively with over 150 community agencies that provide service and training opportunities for our students. These agencies are carefully screened to meet our standards. Fieldwork placements are viewed as an integral part of the training of prospective counselors.

Prior to admission, an applicant may petition the Department of Counseling Selections Committee for up to 27 hours of appropriate post-baccalaureate degree work taken in other departments or other institutions within seven years of the date of their application. Courses taken for another degree or credential may not be counted for the Master of Science in Counseling.

It may be possible to complete the M.S. program either as a full-time student or as a part-time student taking daytime, late afternoon, and evening classes. Students must, however, expect that their personal and work schedules will need to be sufficiently flexible to accommodate fieldwork requirements and department class schedules.

Admission to Program

Although no special preparation is required for admission to the program, undergraduate courses in counseling, developmental psychology, personality theory, and abnormal psychology are encouraged. Paid or volunteer experience working with people is an important factor for admission.

Selection of students is based on academic as well as personal background and may require interviews with a faculty representative scheduled after the written application has been received.

Admission to the department involves the following procedures:

Written English Proficiency Requirement

 Level One: met by successfully passing the Graduate Essay Test (GET). This must be done either prior to taking classes or in the first semester of attendance. Level Two: satisfied by demonstration of English competency on the final paper for COUN 891.

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN COUNSELING

The M.S. in Counseling incorporates four specializations: career, college, school, and gerontology. The broad scope of this degree allows students the flexibility to focus their attention on specific areas of interest. The student combines the core sequence of classes the department offers with their specialization. The resulting educational experience culminates in a professional counselor who is adept at the myriad intricacies of counseling in his or her specialization along with a well-rounded view of contemporary counseling theories and practices.

Prerequisite to Program: COUN 690, Field of Counseling.

NOTE: Students who complete this degree are not eligible for the Marriage, Family, and Child Counseling (MFCC) license.

For general information for all Counseling graduate students, see Graduate Programs in Counseling above. Courses for this discipline are listed in alphabetical sequence (consult Index for page reference).

Units

Curriculum

COUN 700	Theories of Counseling					3
COUN 702	Developmental Foundations for Counselors		3
COUN 703	Psychological Foundations for Counselors		3
COUN 705	Practicum and Internship				2
COUN 706	Interviewing Process					3
COUN 715	Assessment in Counseling				3
COUN 735	Counseling Practicum and Field Work			3
COUN 736	Advanced Counseling Process				3
COUN 738	Substance Abuse						2
COUN 833	Social and Cultural Foundations in Counseling		3
COUN 857	Law and Ethics in Counseling				3
COUN 858	Couples and Family Counseling				3
COUN 859	Counseling Aspects of Sexuality				2
COUN 891	Case Studies and Internship Seminar			3
COUN 892	Internship						6
COUN 811	Group Counseling Process				3
COUN 794	Seminar in Health and Human Services Research		3
Area of Specialization (see below)					9
Minimum total								60

Areas of Specialization
Career Counseling
 
COUN 720	Career Counseling				3
COUN 721	Computer Applications in Counseling		3
COUN 727	Job Development and Placement			3
College Counseling
COUN 720	Career Counseling				3
COUN 721	Computer Applications in Counseling		3
COUN 792	Seminar for Counselors in Student Personnel
		Services					3
School Counseling 
COUN 720	Career Counseling				3
COUN 827	The Consultation Process			1
COUN 780	Learning Clinic I				2
COUN 830	Organization of Pupil Personnel Services
		and Laws					3
Gerontological Counseling
 
GRN 705		Gerontology: An Interdisciplinary Synthesis	3
GRN 710		Aging Process					3
COUN 820	Counseling the Older Adult			2
COUN 821	Mental Health Assessment with the Older Adult	2

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN COUNSELING: CONCENTRATION IN MARRIAGE, FAMILY, AND CHILD COUNSELING

 The M.S. in Counseling: Concentration in Marriage, Family, and Child Counseling provides the student with a degree that can lead to licensed private practice. The MFC counselor meets with individuals, groups, and families that are in need of assistance in working through personal issues. MFC counselors work in a large variety of public and private community agencies, schools, hospital, and other settings.

For general information for all Counseling graduate students, see Graduate Programs in Counseling above. Prerequisite to Program: COUN 690, Field of Counseling.

Units

Curriculum

COUN 700	Theories of Counseling					3
COUN 702	Developmental Foundations for Counselors		3
COUN 703	Psychological Foundations for Counselors		3
COUN 705	Practicum and Internship				2
COUN 706	Interviewing Process					3
COUN 715	Assessment in Counseling				3
COUN 720	Career Counseling					1
COUN 735	Counseling Practicum and Field Work			3
COUN 736	Advanced Counseling Process				3
COUN 738	Alcohol and Substance Abuse				2
COUN 827	The Consultation Process				1
COUN 833	Social and Cultural Foundations in Counseling		3
COUN 857	Law and Ethics for Counselors				3
COUN 858	Couples and Family Counseling I				3
COUN 859	Counseling Aspects of Sexuality				2
COUN 860	Couples and Family Counseling II			3
COUN 861	Seminar on Child Treatment				3
COUN 891	Case Studies and Internship				3
COUN 892	Internship						6
COUN 811	Group Counseling Process				3
COUN 794	Seminar in Health and Human Services Research		3
Elective								1
Minimum total								60

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN REHABILITATION COUNSELING

 Rehabilitation counseling is a field of professional specialization concerned with assisting individuals to achieve satisfying and satisfactory life adjustment through vocational and psychological counseling, skill training, education, and work. The population served consists of persons with social, emotional, psychological, physical, and/or medical disorders. The department offers a subspecialization in deafness.

Rehabilitation counseling distinguishes itself from the other helping professions. Counselors must acquire an in-depth knowledge of disability and occupations, the labor market, and skills in job placement in order to be effective in facilitating the maximum integration of clients into the community.

For general information for all Counseling graduate students, see Graduate Programs in Counseling above. Courses for this discipline are listed in alphabetical sequence (consult Index for page reference).

Units

Curriculum

COUN 700	Theories of Counseling					3
COUN 702	Developmental Foundations for Counselors		3
COUN 703	Psychological Foundations for Counselors		3
COUN 704	Psychological Aspects of Disability			3
COUN 705	Practicum and Internship				3
COUN 706	Interviewing Process					3
COUN 715	Assessment in Counseling				3
COUN 735	Counseling Practicum and Field Work			3
COUN 736	Advanced Counseling Process				3
COUN 738	Alcohol and Substance Abuse				2
COUN 762	Seminar on Field of Rehabilitation Counseling		3
COUN 766	Medical-Social Aspects of Rehabilitation Counseling	3
COUN 778	Occupational Information, Dynamics, 
		and Placement in Rehabilitation Counseling		3
COUN 833	Social and Cultural Foundations of Counseling		3
COUN 892	Internship						6-7
COUN 891	Case Studies and Internship Seminar			3
COUN 811	Group Counseling Process				3
COUN 794	Seminar in Health and Human Services Research		3
Elective on advisement							3-4
Minimum total								60