The Master of Science in School Counseling is an advanced academic degree that builds upon an appropriate undergraduate foundation. A total of 50 semester units are required to complete this program. The curriculum for each of the specializations in this degree links theory to practice for preparation to be a school counselor.

Program Learning Outcomes

Candidates who complete the Master of Science in School Counseling program will be able to:

Equip

• Promote the success of all students by understanding, responding to, and influencing the larger political, social, economic, legal, and cultural context.

Transform

• Promote the success of all students by modeling a personal code of ethics and developing professional leadership capacity.

Empower

• Promote the success of all students by collaborating with families and community members, responding to diverse community interests and needs, and mobilizing community resources.

Program Eligibility for the Master of Science in School Counseling

• Proof of completion of the basic skills requirement as outlined by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC). 
• A cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 3.000 is required to be admitted in the MS program.  Applicants with a cumulative grade point average less than 3.000 may apply for “Admission under Exception” which is reviewed by the program director and dean;
• Two or more letters of recommendation from appropriate persons who have knowledge of the applicant’s character and ability to work with children or youth (references from friends or relatives are not appropriate);
• A writing sample that indicates graduate-level ability; and
• An interview with the appropriate program director or Admissions chair.

Applicants who do not meet the above standards but can demonstrate that they have an exceptionally rich experiential background and/or have demonstrated dramatic change in academic performance may petition the School of Education to review their status.

Transfer of Credits

Up to six (6) units of approved post-baccalaureate coursework aligned with the course of study below, and unused for a previous Master’s degree, may be transferred from other institutions toward this degree. Candidates desiring to transfer coursework must petition this through their advisor during the first semester of enrollment.

The Master of Science degrees are considered advanced degrees beyond preliminary teacher credential coursework, signified by GED/GEL course numbers.  Prior coursework taken toward a preliminary teaching credential cannot be used as credit toward a PLNU Master’s degree.

Required Courses

Course List

Code	Title	Units
Core Courses
GED 6051	Foundations of School Counseling: Professionalism, Ethics, and Legal Mandates	3
GED 6052	School Counseling and Academic Development	3
GED 6053	The School Counselor's Role in Student College and Career Development	3
GED 6054	The School Counselor's Role in Social and Emotional Development	3
GED 6055	Growth, Development, and Learning Support	3
GED 6057	Leadership and Advocacy in Social Justice, Equity, and Access	3
GED 6058	Program Development: Research, Program Evaluation, and Technology	3
GED 6062	Counseling Theory and Techniques	3
GED 6072	Philosophy in Education	3
GED 6075	Family Systems	3
GED 6081	Educational Measurement and Evaluation	3
GED 6187P	School Counseling Practica	1
GED 6187S1	School Counseling Fieldwork Seminar I	1
GED 6187S2	School Counseling Fieldwork Seminar II	1
GED 6188F1	School Counseling Fieldwork Placement I	4
GED 6188F2	School Counseling Fieldwork Placement II	4
Finishing Courses
GED 6098	Master of Science Thesis Design	3
GED 6099	Master of Science Thesis	3
Total Units		50

Graduation Requirements

In order to earn and receive a Master Science in School Counseling degree, a student must satisfy all of the following:

1. A completed Application for Degree Candidacy (online or in the Records Office, Point Loma campus); 
2. Satisfactory completion of the prescribed course of study with a cumulative grade point average of 3.000 or higher;
3. Completion of the approved graduate program consisting of a minimum of 50 units;
4. A recommendation from the credential analyst and director of the regional center;
5. All accounts paid in full; and
6. All requirements for graduate degrees must be completed within an eight (8)-year period from the time of initial enrollment in the program.