Program Requirements
MA in Counseling, School Counseling Specialization
- School Counseling with Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) Credential (48-Units)
- School Based Clinical Counseling: PPS with LPCC Eligibility (60-Units)
Online Application:
-
Submit the University of San Diego Graduate School Admission Online Application and $45 application fee
- Upload the following to submit your online application
- Statement of Purpose
- Resume
- Recommenders’ Contact Information
- Upload the following to submit your online application
Transcripts:
An official transcript from the university where you earned your bachelor’s degree is required at the time of application.
Note:
- Official E-Transcripts are acceptable only if emailed to grads@sandiego.edu.
- Transcripts from study abroad courses and transfer credits are not required.
Degrees Earned Outside of the United States:
- Students who earned their bachelor’s degree from an institution outside the United States must submit a course-by-course degree evaluation at the time of application. Applicants can select from:
- Applications for students educated outside the United States will not be considered complete nor can an admissions decision be made until this degree evaluation has been submitted.
Letters of Recommendation:
- Two letters of recommendation are required at the time of application. If possible, one letter should come from a professor who can speak to your academic strengths, while the other should come from an employer or professional mentor. Letters should not be submitted by a family member or friend. The letters of recommendation should share how they know you, how long they’ve known you, and how they are familiar with your work. We encourage recommenders to share specific anecdotes that help explain how they think you will be successful in a program and in your career.
Résumé or Curriculum Vitae (CV):
- Your résumé or CV should be a summary of your qualifications and transferable skills related to the program. You are encouraged to highlight your professional accomplishments and relevant experiences, including volunteer experiences. In addition, you can submit a cover letter with your resume to provide context to your relevant experiences and share their connection to the program.
Statement of Purpose:
- (48-unit track) 500-word maximum: Please include a brief narrative describing yourself, your career goals and the importance of graduate study in school counseling at this point in your life. You may discuss influences on your intellectual development, educational and cultural opportunities (or lack of them) which have been available to you, and the ways in which these experiences have affected you. This should not be a recording of facts already listed on the application; it should give the Admissions Committee a better sense of who you are and why you are applying to the school counseling specialization at the University of San Diego.
- (60-unit track) 500-word maximum: Please include a brief narrative describing yourself, your career goals, and the importance of graduate study in school based clinical counseling at this point in your life. You may discuss influences on your intellectual development, educational and cultural opportunities (or lack of them) which have been available to you, and the ways in which these experiences have affected you. This should not be a recording of facts already listed on the application; it should give the Admissions Committee a better sense of who you are and why you are applying to the school counseling specialization at the University of San Diego and have an interest in providing school based mental health services.
English Proficiency Exam for International Applicants:
- Official score reports for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is required of all international applicants.
- TOEFL minimum scores:
- Internet-based test: 83
- Computer-based test: 237
- Paper-based test: 580
- IELTS minimum score:
- Band score 7
- TOEFL minimum scores:
- Have submitted your online application and
- You meet one of the following:
- English is your primary language
- You completed a 4-year bachelor's degree or 2-year master's degree, and obtained (or in the process of obtaining) a bachelor’s or master's degree in the U.S. with a minimum 3.0 GPA.
- Or from a university outside of the U.S. that is regionally accredited.
- You obtained your bachelor's degree in Great Britain, Canada, or Australia with an equivalent minimum 3.0 GPA.
Be sure to promptly order official transcripts or official transcript evaluations, as they are also required to determine waiver eligibility.
If you believe you are eligible for an EPEX waiver, please email the SOLES Admissions and Outreach Office at solesadmissions@sandiego.
Education Requirements:
- Applicants must complete a bachelor’s degree prior to beginning the program. Applicants may apply prior to completing their bachelor's degree. In this case, please submit your most up-to-date transcripts, and if admitted, submit a second set of official transcripts after your degree is conferred.
- The minimum cumulative Grade Point Average is 3.00 (on a 4.00 scale) in all undergraduate and graduate coursework.
- This program does not have any specific prerequisite courses, but undergraduate coursework in psychology and/or other social science fields is recommended.
Experience Requirements:
Experience in a related field is recommended, but not required for admission.
Interview Requirement:
After an initial review of applications to the Counseling program, the most qualified candidates will be invited to USD for a group interview with the Counseling faculty.
Students entering the University of San Diego and/or declaring a major during 2022-23, should follow information contained in the printed course catalog (also known as the "catalog of record") published on April 1, 2022. Access the catalog of record at https://catalogs.sandiego.edu.
Degree Requirements
Program Specialization Courses
Students in all counseling program areas complete courses designed to meet program requirements recommended by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) and the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC). All students complete core and specialization courses specific to their areas of professional practice. The program requires the student to complete three terms of practicum or fieldwork in an approved setting related to the student’s career goal.
School Counseling Program Plan - Year 1
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Fall I | ||
| COUN 507 | Professional Identity, Law and Ethics in School Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 520 | Counseling Theories and Practice | 3 |
| COUN 564 | Counseling Skills | 3 |
| Intersession I | ||
| COUN 505 | Human Development | 3 |
| Spring I | ||
| COUN 530 | Assessment Techniques in Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 536 | Applied Theories and Techniques for Counseling in School Settings | 3 |
| COUN 588P | Practicum: School | 3 |
| Summer I | ||
| COUN 510 | Career Development Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| COUN 515 | Multicultural Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 526 | Group Counseling | 3 |
| Total Units | 30 | |
School Counseling Program Plan - Year 2
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Fall II | ||
| COUN 533 | Seminar in Field Based Research: Proposal Development | 1.5 |
| COUN 544 | Intro Family Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 590F | Fieldwork in School Settings | 3 |
| Intersession II | ||
| COUN 531 | Advanced Topics in School Counseling | 3 |
| Spring II | ||
| COUN 534 | Seminar in Field Based Research: Analysis and Reporting of Research | 1.5 |
| COUN 537 | School Counseling Consultation, Crisis, and Trauma | 3 |
| COUN 590F | Fieldwork in School Settings | 3 |
| Total Units | 18 | |
Clinical Contact Hours
Students must successfully complete a minimum of 100 clock hours (minimum of 40 direct service hours) of supervised practicum over one semester and 600 (minimum of 240 direct service hours) clock hours of supervised fieldwork over two semesters.
Clinical Instruction Benchmark Assessment (CIBA)
A Clinical Instruction Benchmark Assessment (CIBA) is utilized to assess readiness for practicum training and to provide candidates with personal and professional development feedback.
Fieldwork Readiness Meeting
A fieldwork readiness meeting is held following the practicum to provide candidates with personal and professional development feedback, to assess progress in the program, and to determine the student's readiness for advancement to fieldwork. For School Counseling students, the fieldwork readiness meeting is completed prior to approval to register for the Fieldwork in School Settings course (COUN 590).
Capstone Research Project Defense
The Counseling Program utilizes a capstone research project defense as part of the assessment of student readiness to complete the program. The Research project defense requires that students complete a research project in consultation with their advisor. The defense is a public presentation of the student’s research project and its findings. In addition to the presentation, each student is required to turn in a formal written ‘Research Brief’ project report. The Research defense is generally taken during the final semester of courses.
International Requirement
At SOLES, all masters and doctoral students participate in an international experience designed to support the growth of cultural competency. Our goal is to inform best practices in working with culturally diverse populations locally, nationally, and globally. International experiences are approved by each student's faculty advisor and can be credit based or non-credit based activities.
Students entering the University of San Diego and/or declaring a major during 2022-23, should follow information contained in the printed course catalog (also known as the "catalog of record") published on April 1, 2022. Access the catalog of record at https://catalogs.sandiego.edu.
Degree Requirements
Program Specialization Courses
Students in all counseling program areas complete courses designed to meet program requirements recommended by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) and the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC). All students complete core and specialization courses specific to their areas of professional practice. The program requires the student to complete three terms of practicum or fieldwork in an approved setting related to the student’s career goal.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Fall I | ||
| COUN 507 | Professional Identity, Law and Ethics in School Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 520 | Counseling Theories and Practice | 3 |
| COUN 541 | Advanced Counseling: Diagnosis And Treatment Planning | 3 |
| COUN 564 | Counseling Skills | 3 |
| Intersession I | ||
| COUN 505 | Human Development | 3 |
| Spring I | ||
| COUN 530 | Assessment Techniques in Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 536 | Applied Theories and Techniques for Counseling in School Settings | 3 |
| COUN 549 | Psychopharmacology | 3 |
| COUN 588P | Practicum: School | 3 |
| Summer I | ||
| COUN 510 | Career Development Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| COUN 515 | Multicultural Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 526 | Group Counseling | 3 |
| Fall II | ||
| COUN 533 | Seminar in Field Based Research: Proposal Development | 1.5 |
| COUN 542 | Addictions Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 544 | Intro Family Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 590F | Fieldwork in School Settings | 3 |
| Intersession II | ||
| COUN 531 | Advanced Topics in School Counseling | 3 |
| Spring II | ||
| COUN 534 | Seminar in Field Based Research: Analysis and Reporting of Research | 1.5 |
| COUN 537 | School Counseling Consultation, Crisis, and Trauma | 3 |
| COUN 550 | Couples and Sexuality | 3 |
| COUN 590F | Fieldwork in School Settings | 3 |
| Total Units | 60 | |
Clinical Contact Hours
Students must successfully complete a minimum of 100 clock hours (minimum of 40 direct service hours) of supervised practicum over one semester and 600 (minimum of 240 direct service hours) clock hours of supervised fieldwork over two semesters.
Clinical Instruction Benchmark Assessment (CIBA)
A Clinical Instruction Benchmark Assessment (CIBA) is utilized to assess readiness for practicum training and to provide candidates with personal and professional development feedback.
Fieldwork Readiness Meeting
A fieldwork readiness meeting is held following the practicum to provide candidates with personal and professional development feedback, to assess progress in the program, and to determine the student's readiness for advancement to fieldwork. For School Counseling students, the fieldwork readiness meeting is completed prior to approval to register for the Fieldwork in School Settings course (COUN 590).
Capstone Research Project Defense
The Counseling Program utilizes a capstone research project defense as part of the assessment of student readiness to complete the program. The Research project defense requires that students complete a research project in consultation with their advisor. The defense is a public presentation of the student’s research project and its findings. In addition to the presentation, each student is required to turn in a formal written ‘Research Brief’ project report. The Research defense is generally taken during the final semester of courses.
International Requirement
At SOLES, all masters and doctoral students participate in an international experience designed to support the growth of cultural competency. Our goal is to inform best practices in working with culturally diverse populations locally, nationally, and globally. International experiences are approved by each student's faculty advisor and can be credit based or non-credit based activities.
Deadlines
All application materials must be received by the Office of Graduate Admissions by the final deadline in order for your application to be considered for admission.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Review tuition rates, fees, and financial aid opportunities to start investing in yourself.
Status and Decisions
To confirm that application materials have been received, please log into the MySanDiego portal or contact the Office of Graduate Admissions at (619) 260-4524. Admissions decision letters are sent via US Mail.
Submit all supplemental materials to:
Office of Graduate Admissions
University of San Diego, Manchester Hall 105
5998 Alcalá Park, San Diego, CA 92110-2492
grads@sandiego.edu
For questions about the admissions contact:
SOLES Office of Admissions and Outreach
Mother Rosalie Hill Hall 143
(619) 260-7988
solesadmissions@sandiego.edu
Advising Appointments