The Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) K-12 School Counseling Credential, offered by the Department of Counselor Education , is a 54-unit program that qualifies individuals to work as school counselors in K-12 public schools. A Child Welfare and Attendance (CWA) authorization, which focuses on issues related to truancy and dropout prevention, can also be obtained. Please note, a master’s degree in Counseling or a related field is required to be eligible to apply for a clear PPS School Counseling Credential through the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC). Therefore, applicants who have not already earned a master’s degree in Counseling or a related field, need to apply via the MA in Counseling and Guidance program option. The MA in Counseling and Guidance with a PPS K-12 School Counseling Credential program option requires the completion of 60 units. For more information, see the MA + PPS School Counseling Credential Coursework Advising Sheet.

Individuals admitted into the PPS School Counseling Credential program are eligible to apply for a PPS Internship Credential (valid for up to two years) if they are offered a school counseling position by a local school district before completing the program requirements. To be eligible, a program candidate must have completed a minimum of 9 units with a 3.0 GPA or higher and passed the Basic Skills Requirement (BSR).