The Department of Educational Psychology and Counseling prepares students for highly effective, ethical and satisfying careers as professional educators and counselors working with individuals, families and groups in educational, organizational and community settings. The aim of our programs is to reflect an ecological and developmental lifespan approach to theory, research and practice centered on the study and application of major concepts and skills from counseling, early childhood education, educational psychology and psychological foundations of education. Department faculty are committed to continuous evaluation and improvement of our courses and programs.
Information for students who are interested in department programs is available by accessing the website or by calling or visiting the graduate advisor and/or department office. Students admitted to a master’s degree, certificate or credential program should contact program coordinators for advisement. In addition, first-year practicum instructors serve as advisors for students in all master’s degree programs in Counseling.
Graduate Coordinator: Esther Choi
Graduates completing a master’s degree may qualify for positions in public schools, public mental health facilities, community agencies, community colleges and universities, business and industry, career development, marriage and family therapy, private clinical practice, integrated medicine settings and related areas. With the completion of state requirements, students can receive a credential in Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) as either a School Counselor or in School Psychology and/or a license as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) or Licensed Educational Psychologist (LEP).
The National Association of School Psychology (NASP) has conferred accreditation on the School Psychology option program. The Marriage and Family Therapy program is accredited by the Commission for the Accreditation of Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE), the accrediting body associated with the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT). The School Counseling and School Psychology credential programs are accredited by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC).
Students who seek licensure as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) must complete the 72-unit Master of Science degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and 3,000 hours of fieldwork and internship prior to applying for the state examination. In addition to hours accrued in the program, students must complete 3,000 training hours and pass a law and ethics and a clinical exam to qualify for licensure in the state (state requirements available from the Board of Behavioral Sciences).
Students seeking future licensure as a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) must complete the 72-unit Master of Science degree in Counseling. For the M.S. in Counseling degree, students choose from two options: (a) School Counseling or (b) College Counseling/Student Services. In addition to hours accrued in the program, students must complete 3,000 post-degree training hours, pass a law and ethics and a clinical exam to qualify for licensure in the state (state requirements available from the Board of Behavioral Sciences).
Students in the School Psychology program who complete all program requirements may be eligible for the License as an Educational Psychologist (LEP). Please refer to the Board of Behavioral Sciences for additional information regarding requirements.
For additional information on licensure, students should contact the following advisors:
For general program advisement, students should contact the following advisors: