School Counseling Program. Student Handbook. Master of Science in Counseling. School-Based Family Counseling Option

Transcription

1 School Counseling Program Student Handbook Master of Science in Counseling School-Based Family Counseling Option School Counseling Leadership Option Pupil Personnel Services Credentials: School Counseling Child Welfare and Attendance Prepared By: Marianne E.-K. Wendling, M.S. In collaboration with Program Faculty Revised July, 2013 William Welcher M.A.

2 Contents Title Page Introduction 1 Part I. To Do Lists 2 First Year 2 Second Year 3 Part II. Guidelines to Accomplish To Do Lists Professional Portfolio 4 4 PPS Credential Application 5 Advancing to Candidacy School Counseling Fieldwork 5 6 Applying for Comprehensive Examination 6 Studying for Comprehensive Examination 6 Graduation 7 Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor 7 Edjoin and Resources 8 Part III. Frequently Asked Questions 8 1

3 Introduction This School Counseling Program Student Handbook is intended to guide students through the various university processes throughout the M.S. degree and P.P.S. credential programs at California State University, Los Angeles. While this document will be extremely helpful in providing relevant information to this program, students are encouraged to consult with advisers frequently to keep up to date regarding changes in university policy. Part I of this handbook gives a To Do list, the chronological sequence of steps students should follow to progress through the program. Part II describes the procedures to accomplish the To Do lists, and Part III contains the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). Part I. To Do Lists First Year Initial Steps Congratulations! You have been accepted into a very competitive program. Now that you ve begun one of the two options of the M.S. Counseling degree, here are some things you need to do: If you need to take any prerequisite courses (COUN 450, EDFN 452, EDSP 400, PSYCH 410AB), consult with your adviser immediately and register for the quarter in which they are offered. In order to determine who your adviser is, contact the Division of Counseling and Special Education ( ; KH C1064). They will have the advisement schedule posted each quarter. This information is also available on the Charter College of Education (CCOE) website: Obtain an NIS and GET account at the campus library (Palmer Wing). Become a member of one of the professional associations for counseling, i.e. ASCA, CASC. The benefits of joining a professional association are innumerable. Consult with your adviser for more information. Quarter 1 (Fall) Complete a program plan. A program plan is a form your adviser completes and you sign which lists all of the required courses needed to complete your degree program. It must also be approved by the Division chairperson and the CCOE Associate Dean for Curriculum and Assessment. 2

4 Start a Professional Portfolio to be used for professional development and future job interviews. The tabs for the portfolio are described under Professional Portfolio heading below. (Detailed portfolio guidelines will be distributed in COUN 505.) Quarter 2 (Winter) Submit your Advancement to Candidacy Form (available in Associate Dean for Curriculum and Assessment Office, KH D 2070). Once your program plan has been approved, you will receive a letter verifying that you have been officially classified into your program and providing an official copy of your program plan. File this in a safe place and place a copy in your professional portfolio. Obtain liability insurance (provided for free through some of the professional associations) and submit proof of liability insurance. Create PPS credential file by filling out form and paying fee at the Office for Student Services, KH D 2078; submit all paperwork relevant to the PPS file. Quarter 3 (Spring) Contact your adviser to be sure you have permits for any courses you plan to take in the summer. Quarter 4 (Summer) Complete and submit the fieldwork application for Fall quarter by the fifth week. Second Year This is when you will begin your fieldwork hours. All of your learning will now be put into practice in a real school environment. Most students find this to be the most challenging year of the program. Be sure to gear up for this year by organizing your schedule to accommodate for the rigor of the program. Consult the COUN 5876S and COUN 586W Fieldwork Handbooks for detailed information regarding fieldwork. Students in the School-Based Family Counseling option complete fieldwork hours for both the PPS credential and for the MFT license. Consult the program information and your SBFC adviser for full information. Quarter 1 (Fall) Record fieldwork hours on a daily basis. Keep copies of fieldwork logs and all related paperwork. Apply for next quarter fieldwork by the fifth week. 3

5 Quarter 2 (Winter) Apply for graduation. Apply for next quarter fieldwork by the fifth week. Record fieldwork hours on a daily basis. Keep detailed copies of fieldwork logs. Register for the Comprehensive Examination. Begin studying for the Comprehensive Examination individually and in groups. Apply for Graduation in the Office of the Associate Dean for Curriculum and Assessment. Quarter 3 (Spring) Apply for the PPS credential (instructions below). Record fieldwork hours on a daily basis. Keep detailed copies of fieldwork logs. Apply for next quarter fieldwork by the fifth week if you plan to register for fieldwork in the summer. Continue studying for the Comprehensive Examination individually and in groups. Attend Grad Fair to obtain graduation tickets. Quarter 4 (Summer) (as needed) Record fieldwork hours on a daily basis. Keep detailed copies of fieldwork logs. Part II. Guidelines to Accomplish To Do Lists Professional Portfolio Tabs: Department application: submitted, plus include Personal History document submitted University Application Transcripts: from all prior college education Program Plan Prerequisite # 1-3 syllabi ASCA Ethical Standards American Counseling Association Ethical Standards Liability Insurance School Counseling Conferences (include documentation/pamphlet as evidence) CASC/ASCA Certificate Credentials (include CBEST, teaching credential (if have) 4

6 Syllabi: from all courses taken during two year program. (This should be regularly updated. Save all syllabi from courses.) PPS Credential Application Process Your credential file is maintained by our Office for Student Services (KHD 2078). When you are in your last quarter of the program, you have to apply to the California Teacher Credentialing (CTC) office for the credential by completing a form at: The Student Services Office is the intermediary between you and the CTC. Do this by following these steps: 1. Download the application at that URL in Student Services Office. 2. Complete what you can online for the PPS credential in school counseling. 3. Print it out and take it to Student Services Office, KH D KEEP A COPY. 5. Put the original in the designated basket or hand it to a staff member. You ask what is this for? I thought I applied for everything.this is what triggers our Student Services Office to review your file finally before they send it to Sacramento saying you are qualified for the credential. You paid a fee to this office to create your file (that yellow form last Spring). The Office of Student Services may now send you a letter if they need anything else. Once you graduate, you will get an from the CTC saying you are qualified and you will then send them some money to be officially listed. In previous years, you got your credential in the mail and could post it next to your diploma. Now you are just on an list, although you can print that for proof if you apply for jobs. This an example of how your finishing the degree is different from finishing the credential application. Note: all other applicants for credentials in the college, such as teachers, are also putting their applications in the basket. Advancing to Candidacy You must successfully complete qualifying courses, remove any incompletes, and complete 16 units of course work listed on your approved master s degree program with a minimum B (3.0) GPA and with no grade below a C, and with no incompletes or NC s. 5

7 Obtain a Charter College of Education Application for Advancement to Candidacy form (GS-10) from the Office of Curriculum and Assessment, KH D Submit the form to the same office after you have successfully completed the required units and satisfied the Writing Proficiency Examination (WPE) requirement. The Administrative Support Coordinator in the Office of Curriculum and Assessment will verify your eligibility for advancement to candidacy and submit the request for change in classification to G-3, Advanced to Candidacy. School Counseling Fieldwork You must apply for fieldwork by the fifth week preceding the quarter you intend to register for fieldwork. The application forms and complete information about requirements are available in the Fieldwork Handbooks for School Counseling (COUN 586S) and Child Welfare and Attendance (CWA). Applying for the Comprehensive Examination Standards Candidates whose master s degree programs require a comprehensive examination must take the comprehensive examination at the administration offered nearest to the final quarter of their program. Candidates must have maintained a minimum B (3.0) GPA in all course work on the program, with no grade below a C, to be approved to take the comprehensive examination. Candidates must have been approved for Advancement to Candidacy (Form GS-10 is available in the college Office of Curriculum and Assessment, KH D2070). Procedures Secure division guidelines for comprehensive examinations early in your program. This information will help you prepare for the examinations as you complete your program course work. Complete the division application before registering for the comprehensive examination. See the division office to verify completion of courses, 3.0 or higher GPA, and Advancement to Candidacy. No student will be permitted to register or secure credit for the examination until this verification is done. Register for the appropriate comprehensive examination (COUN 596) at the regular registration time during the last quarter of your program enrollment. Complete the examination successfully. Studying for the Comprehensive Exams There will be a brief seminar offered by one of the professors giving a general overview on how to study for the Comps. It is extremely helpful to attend this meeting. Get to know your classmates and study in pairs or groups. 6

8 Graduation Standards Candidates must have been advanced to candidacy in the master s degree program. Candidates must complete all degree requirements by the anticipated quarter of graduation. You must be registered for the quarter in which you expect to graduate. Graduation applications will not be forwarded to the University Graduation Office if there are any grades below a C, I s, or NC s. GPA within program at least 3.0. Procedures Obtain and complete an Application for Graduation in Admin. 146 or KH D2070. Pay the graduation application and diploma fees at the Cashier s Office, Admin Complete the MA/MS graduate survey. By the deadline (last day of application filing period) listed in the Schedule of Classes, submit the paid graduation application, and the Thank You page from the completed MA/MS graduate survey to the Curriculum and Assessment Office Administrative Support Coordinator in KH D2070. The coordinator will review your program plan and submit it to the University Graduation Office for the graduation audit. You will be contacted directly if there are any problems that would prevent the submission of the graduation application to the Graduation Office. Please note that your approved program plan must accurately reflect the course work you have completed, including all approved course substitutions. Discrepancies will result in notification from the Office of the Registrar - Graduation Office that you are ineligible for graduation. NOTE: You must apply for your master s degree one quarter before your expected quarter of graduation. Deadlines are listed in the Schedule of Classes each quarter and are strictly adhered to. *Be sure to maintain a personal file of grade reports, transcripts, copies of forms and correspondence. Charter College of Education records are kept in the Office of Student Services, KH D2078. Your official program plan is kept on file in the Office of Curriculum and Assessment, KH D2070. Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) Information In October 2009, the California legislature established a new license category of Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), to be regulated by the Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS). Until December, 2011, qualified applicants may be grandfathered into the program. Candidates in the M.S. in Counseling degree program would need to take additional courses, 7

9 additional hours, and a licensing exam. In order to learn more about the application procedure and additional requirements, please visit and speak with your adviser. Edjoin and other Resources create an account and be notified of job openings in your area. Professional Associations: American Counseling Association (ACA): ($85 per year student, includes professional liability insurance); American School Counseling Association (ASCA): ($60 per year for students includes free professional liability insurance); California Association of School Counselors (CASC): ($45 per year student); Liability Insurance: Healthcare Providers Service Organization (HPSO): ($20 annual premium) Personal Counseling Services available to students: The University maintains a Center for Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) in the Student Health Center which provides professional help for personal growth and psychological wellness. It specializes in mental health and personal counseling services at no cost to currently enrolled students. Students may call CAPS directly at or go directly to Station 4 on the Second Floor of the Student Health Center. Part III. Frequently Asked Questions For general information about the programs, please go to the following link: How do I get an application? Obtain the application online at You must also apply to the University and that application is available online at The University application can be submitted online, but the Division of Special Education and Counseling application is not available electronically and must be submitted as a hard copy. **** PLEASE NOTE YOU MUST SUBMIT AN APPLICATION TO THE SCHOOL COUNSELING AND LEADERSHIP PROGRAM (check the box indicating your choice of SCL) and ALSO TO THE UNIVERSITY (CSULA). BOTH APPLICATIONS REQUIRE TRANSCRIPTS WHICH MEANS YOU WILL BE SUBMITTING TWO COPIES OF YOUR TRANSCRIPTS, ONE WITH EACH APPLICATION. What is a GET account? 8

10 This account, accessed through the GET webpage on the CSULA homepage, is called the Golden Eagle Territory (GET) and allows students with a valid student account to see the schedule of classes, register for courses, and obtain other important university information. You apply online for a GET account using the student identification number (CIN) provided you in your university letter of acceptance. What are the program prerequisites? The program prerequisites are the courses we require of all candidates entering the Schoolbased Family Counseling or the School Counseling Leadership Program. These are: EDFN 452 -Statistics in Education (Introduction to descriptive and inferential statistics) EDSP 400 -Foundations in Special Education (Legal, historical, and practice-based foundations of special education) COUN450- Counseling Theories (A basic overview of the major theories in counseling and psychology) PSYCH 410AB (SBFC option only) - In-depth examination of psychological disorders The California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST) is also required. Readiness to begin the program includes completion of these prerequisites. How can I tell if a course I took at another university meets the prerequisite requirement? If based on the above-listed course descriptions you are unable to determine if you have taken an equivalent course, contact the program coordinator or a program advisor. Bring transcript and course description for the course in question. You may also meet with the instructor of the course and obtain a brief letter in which the instructor indicates that the course you took is the equivalent. How will I know if I am accepted to the program? All complete applications are reviewed and interviews are offered to qualified applicants. Interviews generally take place in February and March and applicants are contacted to schedule interviews via . Applicants are then notified by mail of their acceptance to the program in April and May. It is important to include an accurate postal mail and address on your application. Applicants who are accepted to the SCL or SBFC program still must be accepted to CSULA. Please note that the University sends out a separate letter to inform applicants about their admission status to the University. 9

11 Do you require the GRE s? We do not require GRE scores. We do require that you attempt the CBEST exam prior to final admission into the program. You must pass all parts of the CBEST in order to be eligible to take the fieldwork class in year two and receive your credential upon graduation. What is the application deadline? Effective in 2007, January 15 th is the deadline to apply for admission in the Fall Quarter. The University has a separate deadline. ( usually November 30 or the year prior to admission). However, you are highly encouraged to apply to the University at the same time to avoid delays. What is the minimum GPA requirement? The minimum GPA requirement is 2.75 for the last 90 quarter units. Due to the high number of qualified candidates, we tend to interview applicants whose GPA is above 3.0, consistent with the minimum GPA that graduate students are expected to maintain. If one has taken graduate coursework, those units and GPA are considered; however, the undergraduate record is still evaluated as part of the last 90 quarter units. If I have a low GPA, will my experience or letters of recommendation be taken into consideration? We always take experience and letters of recommendation into consideration when evaluating candidates for our program. We do not, however, consider such experience as compensatory for scholastic achievement. Advisors are available to recommend ways to improve one s demonstrated academic performance. What are you looking for in a candidate for your program? We are looking for candidates with: a strong commitment to become a School Counselor and with some experience in a school setting (including volunteer experience). We value students with an appreciation for cultural and linguistic diversity, excellent communication skills (oral and written), a desire to work with children and adolescents including students with special needs. Good interpersonal skills are also important. If I miss the deadline, can I start taking classes in the program until I can apply next year? If you have not been accepted to the University, you can only take courses through Open University on a space available basis with instructor consent. Keep in mind that even if the coursework is taken here at Cal State L.A., all coursework taken prior to formally being admitted into the program will be considered transfer units. There is a limit of 13 quarter units to be counted for transfer. 10

12 How many times a year will you accept applications? We accept applications for our program only once a year. The application deadline is January 15 th and interviews are typically conducted in March. Please note: Watch the University Deadlines for any changes and be sure to meet all posted deadlines for applications and supporting documentations including transcripts and application fees. When do I need to take the CBEST? The CBEST must be taken by the first quarter of the program (Fall). If all sections are not passed, you will not be eligible for the PPS credential or the Fieldwork class. Most applicants have successfully passed the CBEST by the time they apply to the program. If I already have a Masters or Doctorate degree, can I apply for only the PPS credential? Our program offers the Master of Science degree in Counseling or a related field. If your degree is in an unrelated field, then you should apply for the degree as well as the credential. If you obtained a Master of Arts degree (45 semester units or 60 quarter units) in a related field such as Psychology or Special Education, then again, you should be applying for the Master of Science degree and the credential. Please note: Previous coursework cannot be older than 7 years for unit credit toward a degree, or 8 years for unit credit toward a credential. How long does the program take to complete? The program takes two to three years to complete on a full-time basis. Classes are offered in the late afternoon, and the normal course load per quarter is 3 courses. How do I know what courses to take each quarter? Each option provides a flow chart which indicates the course sequence. The flow charts are distributed at orientations and during the first quarter of classes. How many classes would I need to take each quarter? Each quarter includes about three to four classes. Summer quarter between the first and second years includes two to four classes depending on CSULA availability. In your second year, you will take 2-4 classes including fieldwork, which counts as one class. Fieldwork requires students to work on-site in a K-12 setting for hours per quarter and attend a CSULA supervision class one night a week for 1.5 hours per week. Can I attend part-time? 11

13 Students are programmed as cohorts of 12 into a minimum of three courses per quarter, which constitutes a full load. Candidates are not permitted to take less than the prescribed classes unless, due to unusual life circumstances, a candidate cannot carry a full load or needs to take a leave of absence. In such cases, special permission must be granted by the adviser and it will take the candidate more than three years to complete the program. What are the requirements for completing the program? The program plan details the required courses and number of units. Is your program accredited by the state and a national organization? Yes, by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing and the national Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Should I schedule an appointment with an adviser? It is preferable that you attend our program orientation offered every Fall (generally in October) and examine our material on-line before meet with an adviser. You can call the Division office at to inquire when the Fall orientation will be held. If you have any questions after attending orientation, please meet with an adviser. If you feel confident that you understand the process and have no questions, you do not need to meet. How do I contact an adviser? is the best form of initial contact. Also, feel free to drop by during an adviser s office hours for in-person advisement. Dr. Michael Carter, Program Coordinator, School-Based Family Counseling: mcarter@calstatela.edu William Welcher, M.A., Program Coordinator, School Counseling Leadership: wwelche@calstatela.edu Dr. Marcel Soriano, Faculty, School Counseling Leadership: msorian@calstatela.edu Where do I find forms? Petitions Leave of Absence: Admissions ADM 146, Curriculum and Assessment KH D2070, or Division Office WPE Petition for acceptable alternative: Curriculum and Assessment KH D2070 CBEST Writing Examination Score for WPE Exemption: Student Services KH D2078 Graduate Credit for Undergraduate Work: Curriculum and Assessment KH D2070 Extension of Incomplete Grade: Curriculum and Assessment KH D

14 Overload Petition: Curriculum and Assessment KH D2070 Other Forms Program Plan: Program Adviser Request for Review of a Project Involving Human Subjects: Office of Research and Sponsored Programs ADM 301 EGS-1 Evaluation of Transfer Courses: Program Adviser or Curriculum and Assessment KH D2070 EGS-5 Course Substitution: Curriculum and Assessment KH D2070 or Division office EGS-10 Advancement to Candidacy: Curriculum and Assessment KH D2070 EGS-12 Request for Approval of Thesis/Project Committee: Curriculum and Assessment KH D2070 EGS-12A Application for Comprehensive Examination: Division Office: KH C1064 EGS-13 Request for Enrollment in Comprehensive Examination: Division Office: KH C1064 EGS-14 Approval of Thesis/Project Proposal: Curriculum and Assessment KH D2070 EGS-16 Course Validation by Examination: Curriculum and Assessment KH D * Graduation Application Procedures for Graduate Degrees: ADM 146 or KH D2070 AG4* Graduation Application and Certificate Application: ADM 146 General Petition Form: Curriculum and Assessment KH D