Professors—Alvarez, Chope, Consoli, Gutkin
Associate Professors—Blando, Orozco, Toporek, Williams
Assistant Professors—Chronister, Kwan, Liao, Van Velsor, Vaughn
Minor in Counseling
M.S. in Counseling
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
Culturally competent, psychologically-minded, and emotionally grounded Professional Counselors who are Licensed Psychotherapists (Marriage & Family Therapists), 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.
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 agencies, colleges and universities, careers centers, rehabilitation agencies, and hospitals, to name a few. Our students reflect the diversity of California and especially the San Francisco bay area.
All graduates of our 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®. All graduates of our department will be license eligible in the state of California for either a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor or (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:
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 of Counseling also offers an undergraduate Minor in Counseling. The program is designed to meet the following needs: (1) students who want training as a paraprofessional or counselor aide; (2) students who want to supplement majors that have some involvement with the helping professions; or (3) students who are considering graduate study in counseling.
Accreditation. All of the programs offered by the Department of Counseling are fully accredited. The Department of Counseling programs in school, college, career, gerontological, and marriage and family counseling are accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Counselor Education and Related Education Programs (CACREP). The rehabilitation counseling program has national accreditation from the Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE). 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)
Students graduating with a master's degree in counseling are eligible for a variety of career options. The profession of counseling assists clients to learn about themselves and learn to help themselves within their respective environments. The role of the professional counselor calls for individuals who possess skills, attitudes, and knowledge needed to help people make personal life decisions.
Career Counselors work in settings such as schools, colleges, universities, nonprofit and governmental organizations as well as employee assistance programs in business and industry. They may also open a career counseling private practice. Program Coordinator: Rebecca Toporek; email rtoporek@sfsu.edu
College Counselors may become student services professionals such as activities advisers, EOP counselors, financial aid and recruitment counselors, in two- and four-year higher education institutions. They may also work as counselors in counseling and advising centers. Program Coordinator: Alvin Alvarez; email aalvarez@sfsu.edu
School Counselors upon graduation and after passing the California CBEST examination, receive their State of California Pupil Personnel Services Credential 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, agencies, and hospices. Program Coordinator: John Blando; 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 counselors work in community mental health, school, college, business, and private practice settings. Contact Chair Robert Williams for more information at rwill@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
Undergraduate Minor Adviser, 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 psychology.
Skill 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.
For the Minor in Counseling, students are required to take six courses and six units in electives, with the consent of the Undergraduate Minor Adviser, Patricia Van Velsor (pvanvels@sfsu.edu). 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 | Units | |
| PSY 200 | General Psychology | 3 |
| SW 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 adviser | 6 | |
| Total for minor | 24 | |
The Department of Counseling requires at least 60 units of approved graduate work 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.
Prior to admission, applicants may petition the Department of Counseling Selections Committee for up to 12 hours of appropriate post-baccalaureate degree work taken in other institutions within seven years of the date of their application. 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 in the Department of Counseling may not be counted toward the master’s degree.
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.
Prior to enrolling for classes, an applicant needs to 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.
Applicants are admitted as conditionally classified graduate students in the fall semester only. There is only one admission per academic year. Admission to the department in the fall involves the following procedures:
*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, usually at an additional cost.
Prerequisites. 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 earn less than a grade of B may repeat the course one time. Students who do not earn a grade of B or better in the repeated course will not be considered for classified status.
Prior to Admission to the Program. 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 SFSU bachelor's degree; however, SFSU 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.
Level One: all students must successfully demonstrate writing proficiency with a score of 4 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, 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, usually at an additional cost. Level Two: satisfied by demonstration of English competency on the culminating experience paper for COUN 891.
Students must earn a grade of B or better in the following courses: COUN 706, COUN 736, COUN 890, and COUN 891. In addition, students must earn a grade of CR in COUN 705, 735, and 892.
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.
On-line course descriptions are available.
| Core Curriculum | Units | |
| COUN 700 | Theories of Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 702 | Developmental Foundations for Counselors | 3 |
| COUN 703 | Psychological Foundations for Counselors | 3 |
| COUN 705 | Practicum and Internship | 2 |
| COUN 706 | Counseling Process | 3 |
| COUN 715 | Assessment in Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 735 | Advanced Practicum and Internship | 2 |
| COUN 736 | Advanced Counseling Process | 3 |
| COUN 738 | Substance Abuse | 2 |
| 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 858 | Couple and Family Counseling I | 3 |
| COUN 859 | Counseling Aspects of Sexuality | 2 |
| COUN 890 | Integrative Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 891 | Case Studies and Internship Seminar | 3 |
| COUN 892 | Internship | 4 |
| Area of Specialization or Emphasis (see below) | 9 | |
| Minimum total | 60 | |
| Areas of Specialization or Emphasis | ||
| Career Counseling | ||
| COUN 720 | Career Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 721 | Computer Applications in Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 727 | Advanced Career Counseling | 3 |
| College Counseling | ||
| COUN 720 | Career Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 792 | Seminar for Counselors in Student Personnel Services | 3 |
| COUN 793 | Organization and Administration of Student Services in Higher Education | 3 |
| Gerontological Counseling | ||
| GRN 705 | Aging in a Multidisciplinary Context | 3 |
| GRN 710 | Aging Process: Health and Human Services | 3 |
| COUN 820 | Counseling the Older Adult | 2 |
| COUN 821 | Mental Health Assessment with the Older Adult | 1 |
| School Counseling | ||
| 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 |
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.
Students completing the PPSC program in school counseling in the Department of Counseling will meet the standards of quality and effectiveness as recommended by the California Commission of 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.
Contact the Department of Counseling at (415) 338-2005 to obtain an application, which must be received in the department no later than January 15th of each year. The department accepts students for the fall semester only. 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 | 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 | |
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
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.
- 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.
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.
| Curriculum | Units | |
| COUN 700 | Theories of Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 702 | Developmental Foundations for Counselors | 3 |
| COUN 703 | Psychological Foundations for Counselors | 3 |
| COUN 705 | Practicum and Internship | 2 |
| COUN 706 | Counseling Process | 3 |
| COUN 715 | Assessment in Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 720 | Career Counseling | 1 |
| COUN 735 | Advanced Practicum and Internship | 2 |
| COUN 736 | Advanced Counseling Process | 3 |
| COUN 738 | Substance Abuse | 2 |
| 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 | 3 |
| COUN 891 | Case Studies and Internship Seminar | 3 |
| COUN 892 | Internship | 4 |
| Elective | 1 | |
| Minimum total | 60 | |
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 | 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 | Practicum and Internship | 3 |
| COUN 706 | Counseling Process | 3 |
| COUN 715 | Assessment in Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 735 | Advanced Practicum and Internship | 2 |
| COUN 736 | Advanced Counseling Process | 3 |
| COUN 738 | Substance Abuse | 2 |
| COUN 748 | Rehabilitation Assistive Technology | 3 |
| COUN 762 | Seminar on Field of Rehabilitation Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 766 | Medical/Social Aspects of Rehabilitation Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 778 | Occupational Information, Dynamics, and Placement in Rehabilitation Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 794 | Seminar in Research | 3 |
| COUN 811 | Group Counseling Process | 3 |
| COUN 833 | Social and Cultural Foundations in Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 890 | Integrative Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 891 | Case Studies and Internship Seminar | 3 |
| COUN 892 | Internship | 4 |
| Elective on advisement | 1 | |
| Minimum total | 60 | |
All other requirements for the rehabilitation counseling master's degree must be met.
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 SFSU 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; e.g., those students with degrees or degree objectives in the M.S. in Counseling or M.S. in Counseling: Concentration in Marriage, Family, and Child Counseling.
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 | Units | |
| COUN 762 | Seminar in the Field of Rehabilitation Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 766 | Medical/Social Aspects of Rehabilitation Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 778 | Occupational Information, Dynamics, and Placement in Rehabilitation Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 748 | Rehabilitation Assistive Technology | 3 |
| COUN 704 | Psychosocial Aspects of Disability | 3 |
| Internship Requirement 600 hours in an approved agency, to be taken in one of the following: COUN 705, 735, 892, or 850 |
1-6 | |
| Total for certificate | 16-20 | |
The purpose of this certificate is to attest to students having completed the full body of course work and fieldwork that is required to be considered a specialist qualified to counsel deaf persons. This certificate reflects preparation to work with culturally deaf persons and other deaf people who use American Sign Language. To obtain this certificate one must have at least an intermediate level of American Sign Language proficiency as evaluated by the California Department of Rehabilitation or other certifying body such as the Registry of Interpreters of the Deaf.
The admission requirements and application process are the same as the graduate program in rehabilitation counseling. Proficiency in sign language and experience with deafened and hard-of-hearing persons are additional important entry considerations. Current enrollment in the SFSU master's program in rehabilitation counseling or completion of an accredited master's level program in rehabilitation counseling, counseling, social work, or psychology is required along with relevant background for entry into the program. Students accepted to the program from August 2006 through August 2010 must complete all coursework by August 30, 2011.
| Curriculum | Units | |
| COUN 750 | Planning for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Persons from Culturally Diverse and Underserved Groups | 2 |
| COUN 751 | Psycho-social Implications of Deafness and Hearing Loss from an Early Age | 1 |
| COUN 752 | Psycho-social Implications of Deafness and Hearing Loss After the Acquisition of Language | 1 |
| COUN 753 | Mental Health Assessment of Deaf, Deafened, and Hard of Hearing Persons | 1 |
| COUN 755 | Hearing Loss for Rehabilitation Counselors | 1 |
| COUN 757 | Psychological Testing of Deaf, Deafened, and Hard of Hearing Persons | 1 |
| COUN 759 | Substance Abuse Issues when Working with Deaf, Deafened, and Hard of Hearing Persons | 1 |
| COUN 760 | Deaf Culture and Mental Health | 1 |
| Internship Requirement 600 hours in an approved agency, to be taken in one of the following: COUN 705, 735, 892, or 850 |
3-6 | |
| Total for certificate | 12-15 | |
The purpose of this certificate is to attest that students have completed the full body of course work and fieldwork that is required to be considered a specialist qualified to counsel deafened and hard of hearing persons. Sign language proficiency is encouraged, but not required.
The admission requirements and applications process are the same as for the graduate program in rehabilitation counseling. The person's proficiency in sign language and experience with deafened and hard of hearing persons are additional important entry considerations. Current enrollment in the SFSU master's program in rehabilitation counseling or completion of an accredited master's level program in rehabilitation counseling, counseling, social work, or psychology is required along with relevant background for entry into the program. Students accepted to the program from August 2006 through August 2010 must complete all coursework by August 30, 2011.
| Curriculum | Units | |
| COUN 750 | Planning for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Persons from Culturally Diverse and Underserved Groups | 2 |
| COUN 751 | Psycho-social Implications of Deafness and Hearing Loss from an Early Age | 1 |
| COUN 752 | Psycho-social Implications of Deafness and Hearing Loss After the Acquisition of Language | 1 |
| COUN 753 | Mental Health Assessment of Deaf, Deafened, and Hard of Hearing Persons | 1 |
| COUN 755 | Hearing Loss for Rehabilitation Counselors | 1 |
| COUN 757 | Psychological Testing of Deaf, Deafened, and Hard of Hearing Persons | 1 |
| COUN 759 | Substance Abuse Issues when Working with Deaf, Deafened, and Hard of Hearing Persons | 1 |
| COUN 760 | Deaf Culture and Mental Health | 1 |
| Internship Requirement 600 hours in an approved agency, to be taken in one of the following: COUN 705, 735, 892, or 850 |
3-6 | |
| Total for certificate | 12-15 | |