K-12 School Counseling Credential

The Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) 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) specialization, which focuses on issues related to truancy and dropout prevention, can also be obtained by completing 9 units (3 courses) beyond the requirements for the PPS School Counseling Credential.

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 have passed the CBEST.

Credential Requirements (54 units)

Core Courses (24 units)

Take EDCO 215 and EDCO 218 in the first semester

EDCO 215 - Introduction to Counseling and Guidance 3 units (GWAR)
EDCO 218 - Counseling Process & Techniques 3 units
EDCO 227 - School-Family-Community Collaboration 3 units
EDCO 232 - Law & Ethics in Counseling 3 units
EDCO 248 - Dynamics of Behavior and Development 3 units
EDCO 266 - Education and Career Planning 3 units (GWAR)
EDCO 282 - Assessment for Counselors 3 units

Supervised Experience (9 units)

Complete 9 units (600 hours) of counseling fieldwork experience - 200 hours for every 3 units. A minimum of 200 hours must be completed within each of two K-12 school levels.

EDCO 292 - Supervised Experience in Counseling 3-6 units (9 units required)

Total Units Required (54 units)

Completion of coursework requires a minimum grade of C or higher in courses completed and a minimum overall GPA of 3.0.