Counseling
College of Health and Social Sciences
Dean: Don Taylor
Department of Counseling
BH 524
Phone: 415-338-2005
Fax: 415-338-0594
E-mail: counsel@sfsu.edu
Website: http://counseling.sfsu.edu
Chair: Robert A. Williams
Faculty
Professors: Alvarez, Blando, Consoli, Gutkin, Lee
Associate Professors: Chronister, Kwan, Orozco, Toporek, Van Velsor, Williams
Programs
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 Rehabilitation Counseling
Program Scope
Culturally competent, psychologically-minded, and emotionally grounded Professionally Licensed Counselors, Credentialed School Counselors, Certified Rehabilitation Counselors, Career Counselors, College Counselors, and Gerontological Counselors are needed in the field of human services. The department’s six graduate programs, its undergraduate minor in counseling, and our partnerships with community agencies collaboratively prepare students who are well-grounded to help meet the growing demands in the field. Our department’s faculty and the curriculum we have designed aspire to achieve excellence in three core areas: Multicultural Competence, Community Partnerships, and Action Research.
Our faculty are locally, nationally, and internationally recognized in their scholarly contributions to multicultural competence in counseling, social justice, and health equity. They work to provide a solid learning environment for students with disabilities, students from diverse ethnic and sexual orientations, as well as students from a range of socioeconomic groups.
By the end of graduate studies, our students should embody multicultural competence, have grown deep connections to the local community, and embrace best practices in counseling. Combined, our students provide thousands of hours per year of counseling services to San Francisco Bay Area communities. They are in schools, community mental health and rehabilitation agencies, colleges and universities, careers centers, and hospitals, to name a few. Our students reflect the diversity of California and especially the San Francisco Bay Area.
Graduates of the department will have the necessary preparation to be eligible to sit for the National Board of Certified Counselors examination, known as the National Counselor Examination®. Graduates of the program will also be license eligible in the state of California for either a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (for all degrees) or a Marriage & Family Therapist (MFCC degree program only).
We prepare School and Rehabilitation counseling students for two credentials respectively: PPS Credentialing (School Counseling Program) and CRC Credentialing (Rehabilitation Program).
The Department of Counseling offers three master's degrees:
- Master of Science in Counseling— There are four different specializations—Career, College, Gerontological, and School. School counseling students are eligible for the State of California Pupil Personnel Services Credential with a specialization in School Counseling (PK-12).Graduates will have achieved most of the education requirements for the Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor license in California.
- 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 Sciences requirements. Graduates will also have achieved most of the education requirements for the Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor license in California
- Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling. Students are eligible to take the National Certified Rehabilitation Counselor examination. Graduates will have achieved most of the education requirements for the Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor license in California.
Students specialize in 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 MFCC. In addition, students may apply to take an emphasis in another counseling area, such as school, career, college, gerontological, or rehabilitation counseling. If accepted, additional courses and fieldwork will be required.
The department also offers an undergraduate minor in counseling. The minor is designed for students who want training as a paraprofessional or counselor aide; to supplement majors that have some involvement with the helping professions; or for students considering graduate study in human services.
Accreditation. All of the counseling department programs are fully accredited. The programs in school, college, career, gerontological, and marriage and family counseling are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) through 2018. The rehabilitation counseling program has national accreditation from the Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE) through 2020. The Pupil Personnel Services Credential program in school counseling is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC).
Career Outlook
Students graduating with a master’s degree in counseling are eligible for a variety of career options. The profession of counseling involves counselors assisting clients to learn about themselves and learn to help themselves within their respective environments. The role of the professional counselor calls for skills, attitudes, and knowledge needed to help people make personal life decisions.
Career Counselors work in high school, college and university career centers, student support services and advising offices. Some graduates use this training to establish private career counseling and consultation practices while others enter career development centers in private industry and public agencies. Many students combine this training with other area of counseling. Program Coordinator: Rebecca Toporek, Ph.D.; email rtoporek@sfsu.edu.
College Counselors may work in two- and four-year colleges and universities providing academic counseling in a range of college student personnel positions in programs such as student retention, EOP or EOPS, financial aid, CalWorks, multicultural student services, residential life, college outreach, transfer services, general counseling and other student services. Program Coordinator: Rebecca Toporek, Ph.D.; email rtoporek@sfsu.edu.
School Counselors upon graduation and after passing the California CBEST examination receive their State of California Pupil Personnel Services credential with a specialization in School Counseling (PK-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. Program Coordinator: Graciela Orozco; email: orozco@sfsu.edu.
Gerontological 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, social service agencies,and hospices. Students sometimes combine this area of interest with Rehabilitation Counseling. Program Coordinator: John Blando, Ph.D.; email jblando@sfsu.edu.
MFT Counselors work with mild, moderate, and severe mental health populations in the context of their social and cultural environments. MFT/MFCCs work in school, college/ agency, business and industrial settings. In addition to working in the private/non-profit area, MFCCs may also open a private practice upon receiving their MFCC license. Program Coordinators: John Blando (jblando@sfsu.edu) and Karl Kwan (kwan@sfsu.edu).
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. Program Coordinator: Julie Chronister; email jchronis@sfsu.edu.
Minor in Counseling
Undergraduate Minor Advisor: Patricia Van Velsor (pvanvels@sfsu.edu).
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 counseling and psychological dynamics.
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.
Skills Training. The development of basic skills that include attending, responding, interpretation, and decision making. The training includes practicum experience in interviewing skills.
Multicultural Human Relations. As part of the Segment III General Education Requirement, this course and cluster equips students with the intrapersonal and interpersonal insights, socio-historical knowledge and communication competencies necessary to develop and enhance their multicultural relationships.
The counseling minor requires that students take six courses (18 units) and 6 units in electives, with the consent of the undergraduate minor advisor, Courses used to fulfill a major requirement or Segment III, Multicultural Human Relations requirement may be also counted to fulfill the minor requirements.
On-line course descriptions are available.
Curriculum
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| PSY 200 | General Psychology | 3 |
| S W 410 or PSY 431 |
Human Development and the Social Services Developmental Psychology |
3 |
| COUN 605 | Peer Counseling Skills Seminar | 3 |
| COUN 606 | Introduction to Peer Counseling Skills | 3 |
| COUN 690 | Field of Counseling I | 3 |
| COUN 691 | Multicultural Human Relations | 3 |
| Electives chosen in consultation with the department's undergraduate minor advisor | 6 | |
Total for minor: 24
Graduate Programs in Counseling
General Information
At least 60 units of approved graduate work is required 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.
Once admitted to the program, students may petition the department’s program coordinator and chair for up to 12 units of appropriate post-baccalaureate degree work taken in other institutions within seven years from the date students plan to graduate. Courses taken for another degree or credential may not be counted toward the master’s degree. Courses taken at other institutions after admission to the graduate program may not be counted toward the master’s degree. Refer to http://www.sfsu.edu/bulletin/gadmit.htm for more information.
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
Applicants are admitted as conditionally classified graduate students in the fall semester only - there are no spring admits. Admission to the department involves the following procedures:
- Complete the GRE General Test*, paying particular attention to the Written Analytical Section of the GRE. See note below.
- Complete two separate applications: 1) Department of Counseling program application available at http://counseling.sfsu.edu/admissions.aspx and 2) San Francisco State University Graduate Studies online application available at www.sfsu.edu/~gradstdy.
- Mail the counseling program application to the Department of Counseling in Burk Hall 524 by January 15, 2014.
- Submit your SF State Graduate Studies online application by January 15, 2014.
*Please note: Your GRE scores will not determine our recommendation to either admit or deny you admission to our program. We will review the Analytical Writing score so that we may determine your writing needs before you enter the program. Those who do not meet the minimum writing expectation, that is a 4.0 on the Analytical Writing Section of the GRE General Test, upon admission will be required to take a writing course, COUN 714, Writing for Counselors, usually at an additional cost. Refer to www.ets.org/gre for all GRE and GRE test related questions.
Prerequisites.
Prior to enrolling for classes, an applicant must successfully complete three undergraduate prerequisites with a grade of C or better: theories of personality/counseling, development through the lifespan, and a psychopathology course. A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 in the last 60 units is required for admission to the program. 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.
COUN 690 is a prerequisite for all students except those specializing exclusively in rehabilitation counseling. This course should be taken prior to admission into the program or can be taken concurrent with the first semester in attendance. Students who do not earn a grade of B or better in the repeated course will not be considered for classified status.
Access to Counseling Courses Prior to Admission. Applicants may take, on a space available basis, any of the following courses through Open University: COUN 690, COUN 700, COUN 702, and COUN 703. Students shall not take any courses numbered 700 or above and count them toward their SF State bachelor's degree; however, SF State students may indicate on their graduation application that they wish to have these courses applied to their graduate work, if taken in the final semester before graduation. Completion of these courses does not guarantee admission into the program.
Written English Proficiency Requirement
Level One: All applicants must successfully demonstrate writing proficiency with a score of 4.0 or better on the Analytic Writing section of the Graduate Record Examination. This must be taken prior to applying to the program. The score must be submitted in your application package. Those who do not meet the minimum writing expectation upon admission will be required to take a writing course, usually at an additional cost.
Level Two: Satisfied by demonstration of English competency on the culminating experience paper for COUN 892.
Clinical Proficiency Requirement
Students must earn a grade of B or better in the following courses: COUN 705, COUN 706, COUN 736, COUN 890, and COUN 891.
Master of Science in Counseling
The M.S. in Counseling incorporates four specializations and/or 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 or emphasis. Counselors will be able to function in a wide variety of community agencies and work with individuals of all ages. The curriculum meets most of the educational requirements to be eligible for the Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor license.
On-line course descriptions are available.
Core Curriculum
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| COUN 700 | Theories of Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 702 | Developmental Foundations for Counselors | 3 |
| COUN 703 | Psychological Foundations for Counselors | 3 |
| COUN 705 | Supervision and Coaching | 3 |
| COUN 706 | Counseling Process | 3 |
| COUN 715 | Assessment in Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 720 or COUN 778 |
Career Counseling Career Counseling: Applications to Rehabilitation Populations |
3 |
| COUN 736 | Advanced Counseling Process | 3 |
| COUN 741 | Crisis Counseling for Counselors | 3 |
| COUN 794 | Seminar in Research | 3 |
| COUN 811 | Group Counseling Process | 3 |
| COUN 833 | Social and Cultural Foundations in Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 857 | Law and Ethics for Counselors | 3 |
| COUN 890 | Integrative Counseling and Internship | 3 |
| COUN 891 | Case Studies and Internship Seminar | 3 |
| COUN 892 | Culminating Experience for Counselors | 3 |
| Area of Specialization or Emphasis (see below): | 12 | |
Minimum total: 60
Area of Emphasis
Career Counseling
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| COUN 721 | Computer Applications in Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 727 | Advanced Career Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 738 | Addictions | 3 |
| COUN 858 | Couple and Family Counseling I | 3 |
College Counseling
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| COUN 738 | Addictions | 3 |
| COUN 792 | Seminar for Counselors in Student Personnel Services | 3 |
| COUN 793 | Organization and Administration of Student Services in Higher Education | 3 |
| COUN 858 | Couple and Family Counseling I | 3 |
Gerontological Counseling
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| COUN 704 | Psychosocial Aspects of Disability and Chronic Illness | 3 |
| COUN 738 | Addictions | 3 |
| COUN 766 | Medical, Functional, and Environmental Aspects of Disability and Chronic Illness | 3 |
| COUN 820 | Counseling the Older Adult | 3 |
School Counseling
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| COUN 716 | Professional Seminar I—Structural Elements in School Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 717 | Professional Seminar II—Functional Elements in School Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 718 | Professional Seminar III—Professional Issues in School Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 738 or COUN 858 |
Addictions Couple and Family Counseling I |
3 |
Pupil Personnel Services Credential: School Counseling Designation
Pupil Personnel Services Credential Only Program
School counselors are professionals who specialize in assisting students in public and private schools (grades PK-12) with effective counseling, guidance programs, and services that are designed to meet students' personal, social, and career needs. The Pupil Personnel Services Credential (PPSC) program in school counseling is designed to accommodate those individuals who currently hold a master's degree in counseling or a closely related field and who wish to acquire a credential enabling them to work as a school counselor in a public school setting.
Employment Prospects. The Department of Education notes that 190,000 teachers will have to be trained and hired to teach a projected increase of 33.1% in the school age population in the coming years. The hiring of school counselors will likely follow.
General Information
Students completing the PPSC program in school counseling will meet the standards of quality and effectiveness as recommended by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC).
The program is designed to supplement in a systematic manner an already completed master's degree. It comprises a minimum of fifteen semester units that can be completed in two or three semesters. The three-course school specialization sequence is offered fall, spring, and fall. Students also complete a post-master's internship.
Admissions Procedure
Applications are accepted for fall semester only and must be received in the department no later than January 15 of each year. To obtain a PPSC only program application, visit our website at http://counseling.sfsu.edu/ppscCoun.aspx. The department reviews each application and, if accepted, consultation with the coordinator of the school counseling program is required to determine which classes are needed to complete the PPSC program. Upon departmental review of the application and acceptance to the credential program, the student is invited for advising and orientation.
Applicants must also apply to the University in order to register for courses.
Required Course Work
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| COUN 716 | Professional Seminar I--Structural Elements in School Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 717 | Professional Seminar II--Functional Elements in School Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 718 | Professional Seminar III--Professional Issues in School Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 850 | Second Specialization Internship | 6 |
Minimum total: 15
Additional Courses
In order to meet the national American Counseling Association (ACA), the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), and the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC) professional standards, upon advisement, students may be required to take additional course work to meet program and credential requirements. Typical content courses include the following:
Assessment in Counseling
Alcohol and Substance Abuse
Integrated and Collaborative Services for Children (elective)
Group Counseling Process
Social and Cultural Foundations in Counseling
Law and Ethics in Counseling
Couples and Family Counseling
Counseling Aspects of Sexuality
Required Fieldwork
The state-mandated requirements are as follows:
Field Practice
Each candidate in field practice must demonstrate knowledge and skill in the areas of educational assessment, personal and social counseling, academic and career counseling, program development, program coordination and supervision, consultation, legal issues, multicultural competency, and professional ethics.
- A minimum of 600 clock hours of field practice are required in a PK-12 school setting in direct contact with pupils.
- Fieldwork shall be provided in at least two of three settings (elementary, middle, and/or high school) with a minimum of 100 hours at each setting.
- At least 100 clock hours shall be with at least ten pupils (individually and/or in a group) of a racial/ethnic background different from that of the candidate.
- A minimum of 25 clock hours will involve group counseling and guidance activities in a school setting.
- Up to 150 clock hours may be in a setting other than schools counseling school age (PK-12) youth provided that the candidate is supervised by an experienced practitioner who holds the Pupil Personnel Services Credential.
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. The MFT curriculum meets all of the educational requirements, except the psychopharmacology course, to be eligible for licensure in California upon graduation. The MFT curriculum meets most of the educational requirements to be eligible for the Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor License.
Curriculum
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| COUN 700 | Theories of Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 702 | Developmental Foundations for Counselors | 3 |
| COUN 703 | Psychological Foundations for Counselors | 3 |
| COUN 705 | Supervision and Coaching | 3 |
| COUN 706 | Practicum and Counseling Process | 3 |
| COUN 715 | Assessment in Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 720 | Career Counseling | 1 |
| COUN 736 | Advanced Counseling Process | 3 |
| COUN 738 | Addictions | 3 |
| COUN 794 | Seminar in Research | 3 |
| COUN 811 | Group Counseling Process | 3 |
| 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 | Couple and Family Counseling I | 3 |
| COUN 859 | Counseling Aspects of Sexuality | 2 |
| COUN 860 | Couple and Family Counseling II | 3 |
| COUN 861 | Seminar on Child Treatment | 3 |
| COUN 890 | Integrative Counseling and Internship | 3 |
| COUN 891 | Case Studies and Internship Seminar | 3 |
| COUN 892 | Culminating Experience for Counselors | 3 |
Electives: 3 units
Minimum total: 60 units
Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling
Rehabilitation counseling is a profession that 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 potential 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).
On-line course descriptions are available.
Curriculum
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| COUN 700 | Theories of Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 702 | Developmental Foundations for Counselors | 3 |
| COUN 703 | Psychological Foundations for Counselors | 3 |
| COUN 704 | Psychosocial Aspects of Disability | 3 |
| COUN 705 | Supervision and Coaching | 3 |
| COUN 706 | Practicum and Counseling Process | 3 |
| COUN 715 | Assessment in Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 736 | Advanced Counseling Process | 3 |
| COUN 738 | Addictions | 3 |
| COUN 762 | Professional Identity and Ethical Behavior | 3 |
| COUN 766 | Medical, Functional, and Environmental Aspects of Disability and Chronic Illness | 3 |
| COUN 778 | Career Counseling: Applications to Rehabilitation Populations | 3 |
| COUN 794 | Seminar in Research | 3 |
| COUN 811 | Group Counseling Process | 3 |
| COUN 833 | Social and Cultural Foundations in Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 857 | Law and Ethics for Counselors | 3 |
| COUN 870 | Rehabilitation Services, Case Management and Related Services | 3 |
| COUN 890 | Integrative Counseling and Internship | 3 |
| COUN 891 | Case Studies and Internship Seminar | 3 |
| COUN 892 | Culminating Experience for Counselors | 3 |
Minimum total: 60 units
All other requirements for the rehabilitation counseling master's degree must be met.
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 designed for students who are currently working on or have completed a master's degree in counseling at SF State when the degree objective is not rehabilitation counseling, but who have completed all of the work to meet the requirements for the rehabilitation counseling master's degree.
Admission and Course 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.
Curriculum
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| COUN 762 | Seminar in the Field of Rehabilitation Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 766 | Medical/Social Aspects of Rehabilitation Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 778 | Career Counseling: Applications to Rehabilitation Populations | 3 |
| COUN 748 | Rehabilitation Assistive Technology | 3 |
| COUN 704 | Psychosocial Aspects of Disability and Chronic Illness | 3 |
Internship Requirement (1-6 units)
600 hours in an approved agency, to be taken in one of the following: COUN 705, 892, or 850
Total for certificate: 16-20
