Pupil Personnel Services School Counseling Credential
State-certified school counselors support the academic achievement of all students and serve as leaders and as agents of change within schools. The school counseling credential serves to equip counselors with a thorough knowledge and understanding of interventions necessary to assist students in achieving their potential, utilizing specialized skills in counseling, consultation, intervention and leadership.
Highlights:
- Courses offered in Fresno, Visalia and Bakersfield
- Flexible schedule for both returning part-time professionals and traditional full-time students
- Special emphasis on the design, implementation and evaluation of comprehensive programs
- Includes both academic classroom training and applied field experience
What can I do with this credential?
- This credential qualifies graduates for school leadership positions as counselors, guidance specialists and learning directors in the K-12 school system, working with general school populations to ensure that all students receive the necessary tools to be successful in school and meet future goals.
What are the admission requirements?
- Interview with the program director
- Impromptu writing sample
- Completed application form and fee
- Official transcripts from institutions where you received a bachelor's degree and any post-baccalaureate work which is relevant
- GRE or MAT score
- Portfolio including a personal statement
- Verification of passing the CBEST
- Copies of current teaching credentials or certificate of clearance
- Prerequisite courses:
- Child Development*
- Educational Statistics and Research Design
- Intercultural Communication
- Introduction to Counseling Theories*
- Introduction to Psychology
- (*available as online courses each spring semester through the FPU degree completion program)
Are there any other requirements?
- Liability insurance is required before supervised experience can begin. Information on obtaining liability insurance may be found at www.cacounseling.org or www.counseling.org.
What courses will I be taking?
- View the list of courses and descriptions.
How much does it cost?
- Tuition is competitively priced, and financial aid is available. View details on tuition and fees.
When can I start?
- The program is designed so that all students move through the program as a cohort. Classes begin in the fall of each year. To be considered for a fall cohort, the deadline for submission of all admission material is in early April. Prerequisite courses and test requirements must be completed before formal admission is granted.
How do I apply?
- The application process is straightforward. View details on how to apply.
To view all of the credentials and degrees offered in the PPS program, please visit our pupil personnel services program page. To schedule an interview or for more information, call the PPS program office in Fresno at 559-453-2024, in Visalia at 559-622-9958 or in Bakersfield at 661-864-1515.
