Academic Catalog 2025-2026

Education (School Counseling)

GSC 6051  Foundations of School Counseling: Professionalism, Ethics, and Legal Mandates  (3 Units)  

This course examines the historical context of school counseling and provides candidates with the foundational aspects of professional, ethical, and legal considerations. A number of counseling theories are explored and model frameworks of school counseling programs are reviewed.

Letter grade.  
GSC 6052  School Counseling and Academic Development  (3 Units)  

This course studies the stages of and factors impacting growth and development through early adulthood as well as learning theories and academic achievement. A focus is on the counselor's role in academic systems of support as well as student learning.

Letter grade.  
GSC 6053  The School Counselor's Role in Student College and Career Development  (3 Units)  

This course explores the roles of the K-12 and college counselors in the areas of academic achievement and career development. Counseling candidates learn to eliminate barriers in the learning process in support of academic achievement and career development so that K-adult students have knowledge of and preparation for a full range of options.

Letter grade.  
GSC 6054  The School Counselor's Role in Social and Emotional Development  (3 Units)  

This course provides candidates an understanding of the Social/Emotional Development concerns of the PreK-12th grade student experience and the school counselor's integral role in addressing those concerns as purveyors of a comprehensive school counseling program. Candidates will describe, explore and discuss the role of the school counselor in creating a social, emotional learning (SEL) environment, gain insight into personal perspectives of social/emotional awareness as well as inform their professional practices, a transitional aspect of the program.

Letter grade.  
GSC 6055  Growth, Development, and Learning Support  (3 Units)  

This course studies the stages of and factors impacting growth and development through early adulthood as well as learning theories and academic achievement. A focus is on the counselor's role in academic systems of support as well as student learning.

Letter grade.  
GSC 6057  Leadership and Advocacy in Social Justice, Equity, and Access  (3 Units)  

This course examines the school counselor's role as a leader, advocate, and systems change agent based on leadership and change theory leading to equitable outcomes as well as demonstrating knowledge and application of federal and state laws and district policies related to the rights and treatment of historically marginalized populations. Aspects of preparing PreK-12 students to actively and productively engage in civic responsibility and to identify and critically analyze the variety of ideas and forces in society that contribute to (or constrain) a democratic society are explored.

Letter grade.  
GSC 6058  Program Development: Research, Program Evaluation, and Technology  (3 Units)  

This course explores the use of data to articulate the impact of comprehensive school counseling programs, including academic, college/career and social emotional development for all students in traditional and alternative educational systems. In addition, candidates learn to plan, develop, implement and evaluate a comprehensive counseling program and the program's role connected with the overall school plan.

Letter grade.  
GSC 6187P  School Counseling Practica  (1 Unit)  

The GSC 6187P Practica fieldwork course is designed to explicitly provide support to the Pupil Personnel Services - School Counseling candidates with class meetings and 100 hours of observation responsibilities in diverse school and other education-related settings of school counselors or areas within the counseling field. Enrollment requires clearance consistent with public school districts. Practica hours must be completed within one semester to progress to field experience hours.

Letter grade.  
GSC 6187S1  School Counseling Fieldwork Seminar I  (1 Unit)  

The GSC 6187S1 Seminar will be used to discuss professional school counseling standards and best practices, legal and ethical issues, case studies, assignments, and fieldwork skills and practice. Two semesters of GSC 6187S are required for the PPS Credential. Fieldwork hours must be completed within three semesters.

Credit/No Credit.  
Prerequisite(s): GSC 6187P  
Corequisite(s): GSC 6188F1  
Fee: Course fee applies. See "Special Fees" in Financing a PLNU Education.  
GSC 6187S2  School Counseling Fieldwork Seminar II  (1 Unit)  

The GSC 6187S2 Seminar will be used to discuss professional school counseling standards and best practices, legal and ethical issues, case studies, assignments, and fieldwork skills and practice. Two semesters of GSC 6187S are required for the PPS Credential. Fieldwork hours must be completed within three semesters.

Credit/No Credit.  
Prerequisite(s): GSC 6187P  
Corequisite(s): GSC 6188F2  
Fee: Course fee applies. See "Special Fees" in Financing a PLNU Education.  
GSC 6188F1  School Counseling Fieldwork Placement I  (4 Units)  

Candidates will gain on-site fieldwork experience under the supervision of a School Counseling (PPS) Credential holder at two grade levels. GSC 6188F1 School Counseling Fieldwork Placement 1 is four units and equals 400 hours of fieldwork and clinical practice in a public setting. Enrollment requires clearance consistent with public school districts. Fieldwork hours must be completed within two semesters.

Credit/No Credit.  
Prerequisite(s): GSC 6187P  
Corequisite(s): GSC 6187S1  
Fee: Course fee applies. See "Special Fees" in Financing a PLNU Education.  
GSC 6188F2  School Counseling Fieldwork Placement II  (4 Units)  

Candidates will gain on-site fieldwork experience under the supervision of a School Counseling (PPS) Credential holder at two grade levels. GSC 6188F2 School Counseling Fieldwork Placement 2 is four units and equals 400 hours of fieldwork and clinical practice in a public setting. Enrollment requires clearance consistent with public school districts. Fieldwork hours must be completed within two semesters.

Credit/No Credit.  
Prerequisite(s): GSC 6187P  
Corequisite(s): GSC 6187S2  
Fee: Course fee applies. See "Special Fees" in Financing a PLNU Education.