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: 

Faculty

Professors—Chope, Cummings, Falik, Gutkin, Hittner, Lee, Nemon, Smith

Associate Professor—Leal-Idrogo

Assistant Professors—Alvarez, Blando, Consoli, Williams

Programs

Minor in Counseling
M.S. in Counseling
M.S. in Counseling: Concentration in Marriage, Family, and Child Counseling
M.S. in Rehabilitation Counseling
Pupil Personnel Services Credential: School Counseling Designation
Certificate in Counseling Deaf Persons
Certificate in Counseling Deafened and Hard of Hearing Persons
Certificate in Independent Living Center Practices
Certificate 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.

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 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 with four different emphases—career, college, gerontological, and school; 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:

• Master of Science in Counseling—School Counseling Specialization. Students are eligible for the State of California Pupil Personnel Services Credential with a specialization in School Counseling (K-12).
• Master of Science in Counseling: Concentration in Marriage, Family, and Child Counseling. Students are eligible to sit for the State of California examination for the Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) license upon completion of all the Board of Behavioral Science requirements.
• Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling. Students are eligible to take the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor examination.

Students can specialize in more than one area of counseling. For example, a student whose objective is an MFT license will follow the curriculum for the M.S. in Counseling: Concentration in MFT, but may also add a second specialization in school, career, college, gerontology, or rehabilitation counseling by taking all required courses in that 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. All of the programs offered by the Department of Counseling are fully accredited. 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 assists 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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

On-line course descriptions are available.

CERTIFICATE IN INDEPENDENT LIVING CENTER PRACTICES

General Information

The purpose of this certificate is to attest to students having completed the full body of course work and fieldwork that is required to prepare one to work in independent living centers.

Admission Requirements

Admission requirements include an Associate of Art or Science, meeting university entry requirements, and acceptance into the program by project staff. Conditional admission status may be granted to those students who lack 56 units but can demonstrate ability to perform upper division work in the subject area. Upon completion of nine units in the certificate program with a GPA of 3.0 or above, conditionally admitted students may move to full admission status. The person's experience with independent living centers and persons with disabilities are additional important entry considerations.

English Proficiency Requirement: Before completing this program, all students will demonstrate an appropriate level of writing competency by passing JEPET or ENG 414.

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 12 hours of appropriate post-baccalaureate degree work taken in 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

Prior to enrolling for classes, an applicant needs to successfully complete three prerequisites with a grade of C or better: theories of personality/counseling, development through the lifespan, and a psychopathology course. 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.

Applicants are admitted as graduate students in the Fall semester only. There is only one admission per academic year. Admission to the department in the Fall involves the following procedures:

Step 1. Group Orientation sessions are held in the Fall and Winter. Due to the large number of inquiries regarding the program, these sessions are the only formal opportunity for applicants to secure an application and obtain information. The orientation sessions describe the program, specializations, and the admission/selection procedures. Applicants who reside outside a 100-mile radius of San Francisco may request an exception to this policy. Contact the Department of Counseling at (415) 338-2005 for further information.

Step 2. All applicants must obtain application materials no later than December 1. Applications must be completed, postmarked, and submitted to the department no later than January 15, for consideration for admission into the program for the following Fall.

Step 3. Applicants will be notified by the department in late Spring as to their acceptance/rejection into the program. Applicants who are accepted will also be notified, at that time, of the date and time of an orientation meeting for incoming students.

Step 4. Apply to the university as directed.

Prerequisites. COUN 690 is a prerequisite. This course should be taken prior to admission into the program or can be taken concurrent with the first semester in attendance. Students who earn less than a grade of B may repeat the course one time. Students who do not earn a grade of B or better in the repeated course will not be considered for classified standing. Exception: M.S. in Rehabilitation Counseling only does not require COUN 690.

Prior to Admission to the Program. Applicants may take, on a space available basis, any of the following courses through Open University: COUN 690, COUN 700, COUN 702, COUN 703, COUN 715, and COUN 833. Completion of these courses does not guarantee admission into the program. Students must still apply to the department and be accepted by the Selections Committee to continue their studies.

Written English Proficiency Requirement

Level One: all students must successfully demonstrate writing proficiency by passing the Graduate Essay Test (GET). This must be done prior to taking classes. Students who are accepted into the graduate program will be notified in writing as to the time and date of the examination. 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 emphases: career, college, school, and gerontology. The 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. Counselors will be able to function in a wide variety of community agencies and work with individuals of all ages.

On-line course descriptions are available.

School Counseling

For the School Counseling Specialization, see Pupil Personnel Services below.

Pupil Personnel Services Credential: School Counseling Designation

Prerequisite: COUN 690, Field of Counseling

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 practice as a licensed marriage and family therapist (MFT). The MFT counselor meets with individuals, groups, and families that are in need of assistance in working through personal issues. MFT counselors work in a large variety of public and private community agencies, schools, hospitals, and other settings, including private practice.

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN REHABILITATION COUNSELING

Rehabilitation counseling is a profession which addresses the vocational, psycho-social, and independent living needs of adults with physical disabilities, sensory impairments, emotional disabilities, chemical dependencies, learning disabilities, developmental disabilities, and neurological disorders. Rehabilitation counselors assist persons with disabilities in vocational, educational, and social adjustment, working collaboratively with the client to understand existing problems, barriers, and potentials in order to facilitate the client's use of personal and environmental resources for career, personal, social, and community adjustment following disability. Trained counselors are in demand in public and private rehabilitation programs, worker's compensation agencies, independent living centers, business and industry, substance abuse facilities, colleges and universities, job training centers, private and non-profit community-based organizations, correctional facilities, employee assistance programs, mental health centers, and supported employment programs. Graduates are eligible to take a national examination to become a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC).

Specializations in rehabilitation engineering technology; job development/job placement; and deaf, deafened, and hard of hearing rehabilitation are available depending upon federal funding. Students in these subspecializations may be eligible for federal stipends and tuition.

On-line course descriptions are available.

CERTIFICATE IN COUNSELING DEAF PERSONS

General Information

The purpose of this certificate is to attest to students having completed the full body of course work and fieldwork that is required to be considered a specialist qualified to counsel deaf persons. This certificate reflects preparation to work with culturally deaf persons and other deaf people who use American Sign Language. To obtain this certificate one must have at least an intermediate level of American Sign Language proficiency as evaluated by the California Department of Rehabilitation or other certifying body such as the Registry of Interpreters of the Deaf.

Admission Requirements

The admission requirements and application process are the same as for the graduate program in rehabilitation counseling. Proficiency in sign language and experience with deaf persons are additional important entry considerations. Completion of an accredited rehabilitation counseling, counseling, social work, or psychology program along with relevant background can make one eligible for entry into the program.

This certificate is also available to students and graduates who took the same course work under the following numbers:

English Proficiency Requirement: Graduate Essay Test.

CERTIFICATE IN COUNSELING DEAFENED AND HARD OF HEARING PERSONS

General Information

The purpose of this certificate is to attest to students having completed the full body of course work and fieldwork that is required to be considered a specialist qualified to counsel deafened and hard of hearing persons. Sign language proficiency is encouraged but not required.

Admission Requirements

The admission requirements and application process are the same as for the graduate program in rehabilitation counseling. The person's proficiency in sign language and experience with deafened and hard of hearing persons are additional important entry considerations. Having graduated from an accredited master's level rehabilitation counseling, counseling, social work, or psychology along with relevant background can make one eligible for entry into the program.

This certificate is also available to students and graduates who took the same course work under the following numbers:

English Proficiency Requirement: Graduate Essay Test.

CERTIFICATE IN INDEPENDENT LIVING CENTER PRACTICES

General Information

The purpose of this certificate is to attest to students having completed the full body of course work and fieldwork that is required to prepare one to work in independent living centers. The independent living philosophy and practice skills are included.

If the applicant has not finished a baccalaureate degree, this program can be taken as an undergraduate certificate as long as 56 units of undergraduate course work have been completed. Consult an adviser for program details.

Admission Requirements

Admission requirements include a Bachelor of Art or Science and meeting university graduate entry requirements. The person's experience with independent living centers and persons with disabilities are additional important entry considerations.

English Proficiency Requirement: Graduate Essay Test.

CERTIFICATE IN REHABILITATION COUNSELING

General Information

This certificate attests to students having completed the full body of class work and fieldwork that is required to obtain the master's degree in rehabilitation counseling. It is for the following kinds of students:

• Students who are currently working on or have completed their master's degree in counseling when the degree states other than rehabilitation counseling, but who have completed all of the work to meet the requirements for the rehabilitation counseling master's degree.
• Students who have completed a master's degree in a CACREP accredited counseling program and return for training which will make them eligible to become certified rehabilitation counselors.

This certificate will qualify graduates to be as eligible to work for the California Department of Rehabilitation as if their degrees were in rehabilitation counseling.

Admission Requirements

Admission requirements are the same as for the graduate program in rehabilitation counseling. For students who have completed master's degrees in other programs the approval of the coordinator of the Rehabilitation Counselor Training Program is required.

All other requirements for the rehabilitation counseling master's degree must be met.

NOTE: Students specializing in deaf, deafened, and hard of hearing rehabilitation may substitute COUN 751 and 752 (two unit courses) or revised COUN 751 and 752 (one unit courses) along with COUN 753 and 754 for COUN 704.

English Proficiency Requirement: Graduate Essay Test.