School Counseling, M.A. and PPS Credential

The Master of Arts in School Counseling with a California Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) Credential authorizes you to work as a credentialed school counselor in a public-school setting. Our program requires a minimum of 50 units of coursework and 800 hours of field experience in a PK-12 setting. A sequence of courses is determined by the program director.

View our State Professional Licensing and Certificate Disclosure

Program Highlights

• Small class sizes
• Experienced university and adjunct faculty
• Synchronous online classes keep students connected
• Includes both academic classroom training and applied field experience
• Graduates from this program are highly sought out by top districts
• Accredited by the State of California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, 1900 Capitol Avenue, Sacramento, California 95814-4213
• For a detailed program brochure, click here

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Faculty

Catalog

Program Director: Dena M. Fiori, Ed.D.

School Counseling

The role a School Counselor plays in pk-12 schools is crucial to the Social Emotional Development, Academic Development, and College/Career development of all students. As a school counselor in the pk-12 setting, you not only work with students you also work with teachers, administration, parents, and community members.

Fresno Pacific University Education Unit's Mission 

Fresno Pacific University's Education Unit seeks to prepare educators to be scholars, peacemakers, professionals, and leaders who carry out the beliefs of the Fresno Pacific University Idea in their diverse educational settings. 

The Fresno Pacific Idea 

The Fresno Pacific Idea reflects the university's interpretation of what it means to be a community of learners committed to a distinctive vision of Christian higher education. The Idea serves as a center for reflection and action and as a guide for forming a vision of the future. Rooted in the past and continuously re-shaped by the present, the Idea provides a foundation for the university's understanding of itself and of the mission to which it is called. 

Program Overview

The Master of Arts in School Counseling degree with Pupil Personnel Services Credential in School Counseling authorizes an individual to work as a credentialed School Counselor in a public-school setting. This graduate program requires 50 units of coursework (listed below) and a minimum of 800 hours of clinical practice in pk-12 settings*. A sequence of courses and educational plan is determined by the program director. In addition to the 50 units, there are three prerequisites required for admission (If you obtain a bachelor's degree in psychology from FPU, UC, or a CSU all prerequisites will be waived). Up to 9 units of credit from an accredited graduate program in counseling, psychology, or a related area may be transferred into the School Counseling program. Course eligibility is determined by the School Counseling Program Director to be equivalent to those required in this graduate program. All other provisions of the general graduate policy on transfer of credit shall apply.

*Students will be required to obtain liability insurance through the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) during the first session of the program.  Proof of liability insurance must be obtained by the program director prior to school site-based observations and PK-12 field experience.

The following additional program requirements must be met prior to recommendation for a Pupil Personnel Services Credential (PPS) in School Counseling:

1. A master's degree in School Counseling or a related area.
2. Successful completion of the exit exam Interview and Portfolio Review process.
3. Once the practicum hours, clinical practice hours, program exit exam, and master's degree requirements are completed, the individual may apply for the Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) credential in School Counseling.

Accreditation

The accrediting body for the Pupil Personnel Services Credential is: 

Required Courses (50 Units)

• PPC 730 - Foundations of the School Counseling Profession Credits 3
• PPC 731 - Social Emotional Development Credits 3
• PPC 732 - Professionalism, Ethics, and Legal Mandates in School Counseling Credits 3
• PPC 733 - Program Development and Core Curriculum Credits 3
• PPC 734 - Prevention and Intervention Credits 3
• PPC 735 - Academic Development Credits 3
• PPC 736 - College and Career Development Credits 3
• PPC 737 - Social Justice: Equity and Access Credits 3
• PPC 738 - Mental Health Counseling Credits 3
• PPC 739 - Student Supports Credits 3
• PPC 740 - Clinical Practice in School Counseling I Credits 2
• PPC 741 - Clinical Practice in School Counseling II Credits 2
• PPC 742 - Clinical Practice in School Counseling III Credits 4

•     Must be taken for a total of 4 units

• PPC 771 - Measurement, Experimental Design and Behavioral Research Credits 3

Master of Arts Core

• PPC 743 - Qualitative Research I Credits 3
• PPC 744 - Qualitative Research II Credits 2
• PPC 745 - Qualitative Research III Credits 1
• PPS 772 - Issues and Values in Schools and Society Credits 3

Possibilities Await
With an FPU Education

The decision to embark on graduate studies is a big one. Our 40+ graduate programs will equip you to succeed in your career and in your life. You’ll become part of a small community of learners, thrive in a flexible learning environment  and be challenged by a rigorous curriculum. Learn how much further you can go at FPU!  

For more information, visit our Connect page to schedule a meeting with an admission professional or to find an upcoming information session or registration event. 

Ready to take the next step?

To be considered for admission to the M.A. in School Counseling program, please submit the following items:

• Completed Application for Admission and $45 non-refundable application fee.
• Official college/university transcript(s) verifying receipt of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited program.
  • If you are currently finishing up your degree, please submit current transcript.
  • A final transcript will need to be submitted before you may enroll in classes.
  • Transcripts can be sent electronically by your institution to trans.evaluator@fresno.edu
    or via mail in an envelope sealed by your institution to:
    • Fresno Pacific University
      Office of the Registrar
      1717 S. Chestnut Ave.
      Fresno, CA 93702
• If your cumulative GPA for your bachelor’s degree is below a 3.0 (4.0 scale),
  a letter of explanation is required.
• Reference Forms – Two references are required for the M.A. in School Counseling program. These references should attest to your professional qualities and your academic qualifications, noting your ability to complete graduate-level work.
• Statement of Intent – Provide a written statement explaining your interest in the program, long-term goals and your experience in the field.
• Program Interview – After submitting your application materials including transcripts, a representative will contact you to schedule an interview.
  • Program applicants will be required to submit an impromptu writing sample, one page in length, during the interview time.
• Evidence of application for a Certificate of Clearance for a valid California Teaching Commission credential.
• Pre-requisite classes for the M.A. in School Counseling program
  • FPU requires students to have the following courses (all with a grade of a “C” or better) before starting the M.A. in School Counseling program:
    • Child Growth and Development, General Psychology, and Introduction to Statistics.
    • Please contact your admissions counselor about your options if you don’t have one of the pre-requisite classes.

View our State Professional Licensing and Certificate Disclosure here.

 

Office of Graduate Studies

Phone: 559-453-3690

Email: Graduate.Studies@fresno.edu

Cost & Financial Aid

Student Financial Services

Phone: 559-453-2041

Fax: 559-453-5595

Cashier: 559-453-5586

Toll free: 866-321-7502

FAFSA code: 001253

Email: sfs@fresno.edu

Tuition & Fees

Career Opportunities

The PPS credential provides eligibility to work as a school counselor in the California public school system grades PK-12. To be employed as a school counselor, a student must complete the following:

• A master’s degree in School Counseling or a related area.
• Successful completion of the exit exam interview and portfolio review process.
• Complete practicum hours, field experience, exit exam, master’s degree and apply for the Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) credential in School Counseling.

Career Development Center

Phone: 559-453-2073

Email: career.services@fresno.edu

Career Development Happens Here