Application Instructions for the. Counselor Education Program

Transcription

1 Department of Graduate & Professional Studies Eureka Hall J Street Sacramento, CA (916) Dear Prospective Student: Application Instructions for the Counselor Education Program Thank you for your interest in the Masters programs in the Department of Graduate and Professional Studies (GPS) in Education. The following application and procedures are for students interested in the following programs: School Counseling (PPS) Credential Career Counseling Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) Please NOTE the following steps needed to successfully complete the application process: 1. Complete a university application for the Office of Graduate Studies online only at 2. Complete a supplemental program application with supporting documents, and submit your packet to the Academic and Program Services Office (Eureka Hall - 401) by the deadline. In the process of completing the university application for The Office Graduate Studies, you will need to select your specific education MA program under Enrollment Plans, Major/Program objective. Thank you again for your interest in pursuing graduate studies with our department. We hope to have the opportunity to work with you. Sincerely, Susan Heredia Department Chair Graduate and Professional Studies in Education The Fall 2014 University Online Grad School Application & the Supplemental Program Application Packet will be accepted: ** October, 2013 January 10, 2014 ** ** Submit your completed program application packet to Eureka Hall 401 **

2 I. Application Instructions University Graduate School A. CSU APPLICATION FOR GRADUATE SCHOOL ADMISSION: Applicants not currently attending Sacramento State, Sacramento State graduating seniors, and Sacramento State students completing a master s degree or second bachelor s degree must complete and submit the CSU application for graduate school admission online at: no later than FRIDAY January 10, The $55.00 non-refundable application fee must be paid online at the time the application is submitted. Complete the online graduate school application. Once you pay the fee and click the submit button, print the page that reads, CSU Sacramento Graduate Application Agreement Statement. Submit this page with your Supplemental Program Application packet. TRANSCRIPTS needed for graduate school application (for non-sac State students): ***One (1) set of official transcripts (sealed) from all junior colleges, colleges, and universities attended. Submit this set of transcripts directly to the Office of Graduate Studies (OGS) no later than January Mailing address: Office of Graduate Studies, CSU Sacramento, 6000 J Street, Sacramento, CA Or, you can deliver official sealed transcripts to the office in the River Front Center, room 215. ***NOTE: If you graduated/are graduating from Sacramento State, you do not need to submit additional transcripts to OGS unless you attended another college(s) after you graduated. Degrees from foreign countries: Applicants with degrees from outside of the United States must read and follow the instructions at this website, or call OGS at (916) Foreign documents/transcripts must be sent directly from your University and must be received by OGS no later than MARCH II. Application Instructions Counselor Education Programs B. PROGRAM ADMISSION INFORMATION AND REQUIREMENTS: All applicants must meet the University's admission requirements in order to be considered for admission to the Master of Science in Counseling Program. See above information for both applications. Department staff will do the initial processing and the faculty will complete the review process of the applications. This review process takes from 8-10 weeks at which time you will be notified via of the next steps; interviews and /or any other requirements. Admittance to the counseling program at CSUS is a competitive process. The number of applications received far exceeds the number of students that can be admitted in a given year. Decisions regarding admission are based on consideration of the applicant s potential for success as a professional counselor, academic performance, professional promise, interpersonal skills, maturity, motivation for personal and professional development, and congruence with the counseling program s philosophy. Admission is determined by examining the following: (1) academic record and grade point average (GPA), (2) quality of written portions of the application, (3) quality of letters of recommendation, (4) relevant work experience and an (5) interview with program faculty advisors. All applicants are rank ordered based on the above criteria, and the top candidates are offered admission to the Counselor Education program. Applicants who successfully pass all screening elements and co-requisite requirements will be classified students in the Counselor Education program. Only those applicants who show professionalism, promise of success and fitness will be

3 admitted and only those who continue to demonstrate a satisfactory level of professionalism, scholastic competence and fitness shall be eligible to proceed in the program. Students become fully classified into the Counselor Education program only if they have completed all steps discussed in this packet. Once students are fully admitted in the program they MUST read a copy of the Counselor Education Student Handbook. ALL students are responsible for knowing and following the requirements to proceed in the Counselor Education program. REJECTED APPLICATIONS: The department staff and faculty cannot answer questions concerning the reasons why a particular application was rejected. All admissions decisions are final. C. CO-REQUISITE COURSEWORK: Upon admittance as a probationary student in the Counselor Education program, students will be required to take the following undergraduate co-requisite courses under probationary status during their first semester in the program: EDC 170 / EDUC 155: Introduction to Counseling. Required to be completed at Sacramento State. EDC 171 / EDUC 156: Power, Privilege and Self Identity in Counseling. Required to be completed at Sacramento State. (Minimum 3.40 average GPA in EDC 170 and EDC 171 combined is required). EDC 172 / EDUC 157: Child & family Psychopathology. Failure to take the above courses or meet the above-stated grade requirements during the probationary period is grounds for automatic dismissal from the M.S. in Counseling program. In order to apply to the program you do not need to have the above courses completed or be enrolled in them. You may still apply if you haven t taken the above listed co-requisite courses. If you are admitted to the program, you will be considered probationary and must complete all requirements including the above listed co-requisites by the end of your first semester; proof of completion must be provided to the department office BEFORE registration for your second semester begins. D. TRANSCRIPTS to be SUBMITTED with the PROGRAM APPLICATION PACKET: Submit one set of official transcripts from ALL junior colleges, colleges/universities attended, including any colleges you are currently attending. E. LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION: Submit three letters of recommendation. It is the applicant s responsibility to see that all three letters arrive by the deadline. Given the high number of applications received each semester, we cannot contact students who are missing letters. F. PROGRAM STRUCTURE : This is a cohort program; if admitted to this program, students will matriculate in (6) predetermined semesters (3 years as a full time student) or in (12) pre-determined semesters (6 years as a part time student). Students are expected to evaluate their own circumstances and commitment to this program which is constructed of both day and night classes. It is the student s responsibility to be available during the scheduled class times, practicum and field study hours G. SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION: Once you have completed the process of applying to the Office of Graduate studies, you will need to submit the supplemental program application for the Master s in Counselor Education. Please note that we do not accept incomplete applications.

4 Department of Graduate & Professional Studies Counselor Education Supplemental Program Application Fall 2014 Submit no later than January 10, 2014 Personal Information Mr. Ms. Last name First M CSUS Student ID Mailing Address: Street: City: State: Zip: Primary phone # Alternative Phone #. Ethnicity (optional): Language(s) spoken fluently: Preferred Area of Specialization Career Counseling Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) School Counseling includes Pupil Personnel Services (PPS Credential) Pre-Requisite Requirements If you have taken or are currently enrolled in co-requisite courses (or equivalent), please complete this section Requirement Course Semester/Year University Introduction to Counseling (EDC 170 / EDUC 155) Power, Privilege & Self Identity (EDC 171 / EDUC 156) Child & Family Psychopathology (EDC 172 / EDUC 157) California Basic Education Skills Test (CBEST) (provide verification) Needed for students applying to the SCHOOL COINSELING AND PPS program only I have/will fulfill this requirement by:. CBEST: Date passed CBEST: registered to take the exam on CBEST: I will register to take the examination prior to the end of my second semester in the program

5 Academic Preparation List all colleges and/or universities attended starting with the most recent. Include one set of all transcripts with the departmental application. Name of Institution Location (City/State) Level (Graduate/Undergraduate) Internships/Apprenticeships/Practical/Volunteer Experience Dates Institution/Location Description of Responsibilities Tasks Preformed Unrelated Paid Experience Dates Institution/Location Description of Responsibilities Tasks Preformed Related Paid Experience Dates Institution/Location Description of Responsibilities Tasks Preformed

6 References Please identify three individuals from whom we will receive letters of recommendation. Print the attached cover sheet for each letter. Name/Title Organization/Institution Phone Applicant Question/Response Please respond to the following two questions. Limit typewritten responses to one page, double spaced. Sign and date at the bottom of your response. Question #1 As an undergraduate student (or graduate student in other programs), you were asked to write research or essay papers in which you selected the topics. Reflect on the topics of papers that you have written during your time as a student and summarize the following: What, if any, themes in the types of papers that you elected to write emerge? What factors can you identify that influenced the emergent themes or topics that you wrote on? How did those themes develop across time? If you were to add to that body of writing now, what would you want to write about? Question #2 Please describe your experience in working with, serving, or socially engaging with diverse persons or populations. Please summarize your assessment of the quality, quantity and nature of these experiences. Summarize your strengths and challenges in these relationships, as well as the strengths and challenges of diverse others in forging a relationship with you. Personal Statement Prompt Provide a personal statement that should be no more than 2 pages typed (double spaced 12 pt. font). Your personal statement will be evaluated based on your demonstrated interest and background in counseling. Sign and date at the bottom of your response. Release of information I authorize the release of information regarding my credential status to the following: Sacramento State College of Education faculty, staff, school districts, County Offices of Education, The Commission on Teacher Credentialing, and other colleges and universities. I certify under penalty of perjury that I have provided complete and accurate responses to the items on this application. I further certify that all official documents submitted in support of this application are authentic and unaltered records that pertain to me. Applicant s Signature Date

7 California State University, Sacramento College of Education, Graduate and Professional Studies in Education 6000 J Street Eureka Hall 401 Sacramento, CA (916) (916) FAX Letter of Recommendation Cover Sheet for the Counselor Education Program Applicant s Name: Day Phone: Area of Specialization: Evening Phone: TO THE EVALUATOR: the above named applicant is seeking admission to a graduate level program that trains persons to assume responsible roles in the helping professions. Please provide what evidence you have regarding any or all of the following: The applicant s 1. Ability to succeed at graduate level academics 2. Emotional stability and ability to attend to the needs of others 3. dependability, responsibility, morality and ethics Completed the form and letter of recommendation must be received by January 10, Letters may be mailed directly to the department or may be submitted by the student as part of the admission packet. Letters can be mailed to: California State University, Sacramento Department of Graduate and Professional Studies in Education ATTN: Counselor Education Program Admission (EUREKA HALL 401) 6000 J Street Sacramento, CA Evaluators Name: Title: Organization: Phone Number: Address: Relationship to Applicant: How long have you know this applicant: Please attach a letter of recommendation to this cover sheet Evaluator s Signature: Date: **Please attach your signed letter of recommendation to this form**

8 CHECKLIST FOR THE COUNSELOR EDUCATION PROGRAM APPLICATION PACKET Please organize your application packet in the order of this checklist. For specific details on a specific item, refer to the detailed Application Instructions. Supplemental Program Application CBEST: Submit proof of completing/have completed this requirement, i.e., photocopy of test registration and/or photocopy of score reports. (If needed for PPS Credential) Transcripts: Submit with this application packet, one set of OFFICIAL transcripts from ALL colleges attended. Remember, the Office of Graduate Studies will need their own set of official transcripts from all colleges attended, if you are NOT a current Sac State student or did not graduate from Sac State. Three letters of recommendation: include cover sheets Applicant question/response Personal Statement University Graduate School Application Verification: Once you submit the online grad school application through CSUmentor, printout and submit with this program application packet a photocopy of the Graduate Application Agreement Statement as proof of submitting the grad school application. Checklist (this sheet). OFFICE USE ONLY: Accepted by: Date: What s Next: