K-12 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
- - 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 to meet the Community College Counseling requirements under SB 1725.
Curriculum and Roadmaps
- MA in Counseling and Guidance
- MA in Counseling and Guidance + PPS School Counseling Credential (with or without a CWA Authorization)
- MA in Counseling and Guidance + PCC (Professional Clinical Counselor) Preparation
- MA + PPS School Counseling Credential (with or without a CWA) + PCC Preparation
The SJSU Catalog website provides more details about graduate program requirements.
Fieldwork Requirement
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 strongly recommended, particularly for those interested in community college counseling. Fieldwork is required for those interested in obtaining the PPS K-12 School Counseling Credential and/or Child Welfare Attendance (CWA) authorization. For more information about requirements, visit our Fieldwork Requirements web page.
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.
- Dates and times for upcoming information sessions can be found on the department's home web page at https://www.sjsu.edu/counselored/
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 three pages typed and 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 paid or volunteer work directly related to the education and/or counseling fields
- Your professional goals related to pursuing the master's degree with or without a PPS K-12 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, clinical counseling, etc.)
- Why you are specifically interested in being a graduate student in SJSU's Counselor Education Department. What makes this department/program stand out for you?
- Any additional information that is relevant to your interest in pursuing a master’s degree with or without a PPS K-12 School Counseling Credential through SJSU’s Counselor Education Department
Step 3 | Upload your resume to Cal State Apply
Your resume should include any degree(s) earned or in progress, employment, volunteer work, research experience, and honors/awards, if any.
Step 4 | Request recommendations
Your recommendations should meet the following requirements:
- Three recommendations are required for new applicants. (PPS School Counseling Credential-only and re-applicants are only required to submit two recommendations.)
- All 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 applicant). 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
A bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university in any major/discipline (verified via official transcripts submitted to San Jose State University) is required with a 3.0 GPA or higher preferred. (Please note, applications with a GPA under 2.50 will be automatically denied by the SJSU Graduate Admissions Office.)
Request one official transcript from each college/university where you studied. If the college/university provides official electronic transcripts, the institution can email the transcripts to etranscript@sjsu.edu or graduate@sjsu.edu. Questions pertaining to transcripts, GPA calculations, and application fees should be directed to grad-admissions@sjsu.edu.
If electronic transcripts cannot be sent, then sealed official transcripts can mailed to the SJSU Graduate Admissions office at:
Graduate Admissions and Program Evaluations
San Jose State University
One Washington Square
San Jose, CA 95192-0017
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
- 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
- Fall 2025 admitted students must accept their admission if they plan to enroll by (1) saying ‘yes’ through Intent to Enroll and (2) paying a $200 non refundable (and non transferable) enrollment deposit by June 1, 2025 in order to register for Fall 2025 classes. The $200 enrollment deposit will be applied towards your tuition and fees once you enroll in Fall 2025 classes. For more information visit Mandatory Intent to Enroll webpage on the Graduate Admissions website.
- Foundational Coursework / Requirements
- - Check our Department Advising web page for your faculty advisor's contact information and schedule an advising appointment if necessary. - Complete the foundational courses before taking advanced coursework.
- - Complete 10 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 otherwise. - Discuss fieldwork opportunities with your advisor.
- - 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 a prevention or intervention project (Plan B) or EDCO 299: Master’s Thesis to complete a thesis (Plan A)
- - 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 Summer and Fall graduates).
Additional Resources
For information about financial aid opportunities, internship and job opportunities, research opportunities, and more, visit our Student Resources web page.
Counselor Education Department
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