The Counseling and Guidance MA degree program prepares individuals to apply the theory and principles of guidance and counseling to the provision of support for the personal, social, educational, and vocational development of students, and the organizing of guidance services within elementary, middle and secondary educational institutions. It includes instruction in legal and professional requirements, therapeutic counselor intervention, vocational counseling, and related sociological and psychological foundations.

1. Online School Guidance Counselor Programs
2. Accredited Graduate Programs In Guidance And Counseling Program

Harvard Graduate School of Education. Harvard University. Graduate School. Guidance counseling program graduates can become school guidance counselors for children in grades K-12. You will need to be licensed by the state in which you work. As stated by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), licensure requirements typically include the completion of a master's degree program. The mission of the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) accredited masters programs is to prepare professional counselors who meet national standards of the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC) as well as state counseling. The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) is an accreditation agency that focuses on the need for improvement and innovation in counseling and related fields. Prepare to serve students in P-12 educational environments with the online master’s in guidance and counseling. This program is an exact replica of our MEd in School Counseling certification program, but is designed for students who are not eligible for the school counseling program because they lack a teaching certificate.

If you have any questions about our MA program, please contact us!

Program Overview

• Official Title: Master of Arts in Counseling and Guidance
• Format: Full-time or part-time
• Units: 48 (MA only), 60 (MA + PPS Credential), 60 (MA + LPCC option)
• Start date: Fall or Spring
• Application window: October 1 - February 1 (Fall); August 1 - October 1 (Spring)

Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)

As a result of completing this program, students will:

1. Design culturally sustaining prevention and intervention counseling programs within educational environments

2. Model ethical and inclusive leadership skills that promote equity, social justice, and student success

3. Apply effective and inclusive assessment practices within their work with school and community stakeholders

4. Create social, cultural, and educational interventions that support students’ academic advancement

5. Select and apply relevant research methods to conduct program evaluations, supported by effective technological applications

Initial Eligibility and Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university in any major/subject.
• 3.0 GPA or higher (applications with a GPA under 2.50 will be automatically denied by the SJSU Graduate Admissions Office)
• Satisfactory English competency (evaluated by department faculty through the Autobiographical and Professional Goals Statement)
• Commitment to human development services (evaluated by recommendation letters and Autobiographical and Professional Goals Statement)
• For international students, a TOEFL test score above 550 (paper-based) or 213 (computer-based) is required

Program Specializations

• School Counseling (with PPS Credential option)

  • - Career and Education Development
    - Crisis Management and Conflict Resolution
    - Student Advocacy
    - Alternative School Counseling
    - Community Education Development
    - School and Community Relations

• Adult Counseling

  • - College and University Counseling and Student Personnel
    - Career Development and Vocational Counseling
    - Human Resource Development Training
    - Transitions Counseling for Adults

The MA in Counseling and Guidance will qualify a graduate of the program for the Community College Counseling requirements under SB 1725.

Curriculum and Roadmaps

The SJSU Catalog website provides more details about course requirements and options for the MA program and MA + PPS Credential program.

Fieldwork Requirement

Online School Guidance Counselor Programs

Fieldwork creates an opportunity for students to gain a deeper understanding of themselves and their potential career field. Fieldwork experience is not required for MA-only candidates, but is highly recommended, particularly for those interested in community college counseling. Fieldwork is required for those interested in obtaining the PPS Credential and or Child Welfare Attendance (CWA) authorization. For more information about requirements, visit our Fieldwork Requirements webpage.

Upcoming Information Sessions

These sessions are for individuals interested in information about the Counselor Education Department's graduate and credential programs and who may be interested in applying for admission to these programs.

• Our next department information session will take place on Wednesday, January 13, from 5-6pm via Zoom.

Steps to Apply

International students only: Take the TOEFL test and have ETS send your official TOEFL transcript to SJSU.

Step 1 | Begin your Cal State Apply application

Visit calstate.edu/apply to create your application profile and pay the $70.00 application fee.

Step 2 | Write your statement

Upload your Autobiographical and Professional Goals Statement onto the Cal State Apply portal. Your statement should be 3 pages, double spaced, maximum and address the following:

• Your educational background

• Experiences that demonstrate your concern and capacity to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds in addition to any specific paid or volunteer work directly related to the counseling field

• Your professional goals in pursuing the Master's degree with or without a PPS School Counseling Credential, including any special areas of interest (e.g., middle or high school counseling, community college counseling, community-based mental health counseling, career counseling, etc.)

• Any additional information that is relevant to your interest in pursuing a Master’s degree with or without a PPS School Counseling Credential through SJSU’s Counselor Education Department and how this program will help you reach your professional goals

Step 3 | Upload your resume to Cal State Apply

Your resume should include employment, volunteer, and research experience, if any.

Step 4 | Request recommendations

Your recommendations should meet the following requirements:

• Three recommendations are required for new applicants.

• All three recommenders need to complete and submit the department’s Recommendation Form [pdf].

• Recommenders can also include (in addition to, not in lieu of the recommendation form) their own recommendation letter, but letters of recommendation should be written in the semester applying. All materials from the same recommender need to be uploaded as one PDF file on the Cal State Apply portal.

• Recommendations need to be submitted by the recommenders (not by the applicants). A notification will be sent by the Cal State Apply system to your selected recommenders prompting them to upload their recommendation materials.

Step 5 | Submit your transcripts

Obtain one official sealed transcript from each college/university where you studied and submit the official sealed transcript(s) to:

Graduate Admissions and Program Evaluations
San Jose State University
One Washington Square
San Jose, CA 95192-0017

If the college/university provides official electronic transcripts, the institution can email the transcripts to etranscript@sjsu.edu. Questions pertaining to transcripts, GPA calculations, and application fees should be directed to admissions@sjsu.edu.

Step 6 | Submit your application

Once you submit your application via Cal State Apply, check your application status online at one.sjsu.edu. Your ID and PINs are provided shortly by SJSU's Graduate Admissions and Program Evaluations Office after you submit your application via CAL State Apply.

The total application processing time is between five to six weeks after all necessary documents have been received by the Graduate Admissions and Program Evaluations Office, so we recommend that you submit your application early in the processing cycle.

Complete the MA Requirements

Orientation and Registration

• Attend a new student orientation
  • Fall 2020 sessions are TBD
• Register in the program’s foundational courses via one.sjsu.edu
• Add courses during the first week of classes if you miss your enrollment appointment

• Foundational Coursework / Requirements

  • - Check our Department Advising webpage for your faculty advisor's contact information and schedule an advising appointment if necessary.
    - Complete the six prerequisite/foundational courses (EDCO 215, 218, 232, 248, 266, & 282) before taking advanced coursework.

• Advanced Coursework/Requirements

  • - Complete 10 (4 required and 6 elective) advanced courses (30 units).
    - Once you successfully complete 9 graded units of advanced coursework, meet with your advisor to complete the MA Petition for Advancement to Graduate Candidacy form [pdf]. Only include the 30 units of advanced coursework on your MA Candidacy form unless advised othersiwise.
    - Discuss fieldwork opportunities with your advisor.

• Master's Degree Plan B Project or Plan A Thesis

  • - During your second to last semester in the program, enroll in EDCO 221: Research in Counselor Education to develop a project or research proposal
    - During your last semester in the program, enroll in EDCO 298: Special Studies in Counselor Education to complete an intervention project (Plan B) or EDCO 299: Master’s Thesis to complete a thesis (Plan A)

• Graduation

  • - Apply for Award of Master’s Degree online during the first month of the semester you plan to graduate or submit a Graduation DATE CHANGE request ($10 charge).
    - Attend the Lurie College of Education's Commencement Ceremony in May (for Spring graduates) or in December (for Fall graduates).

Additional Resources

Accredited Graduate Programs In Guidance And Counseling Program

For information about financial aid opportunities, internship and job opportunities, research opportunities, and more, visit our Student Resources webpage.