School Counseling & School Psychology
The School Counseling Credential authorizes the holder to perform the following duties:
- Develop, plan, implement, and evaluate a school counseling and guidance program that includes academic, career, personal, and social development
- Advocate for the high academic achievement and social development of all students
- Provide school-wide prevention and intervention strategies and counseling services
- Provide consultation, training, and staff development to teachers and parents regarding students’ needs
- Supervise a district-approved advisory program as described in California Education Code, Section 49600
The School Psychology Credential authorizes the holder to perform the following duties:
- Provide services that enhance academic performance
- Design strategies and programs to address problems of adjustment
- Consult with other educators and parents on issues of social development and behavioral and academic difficulties
- Conduct psycho-educational assessment for purposes of identifying special needs
- Provide psychological counseling for individuals, groups, and families
- Coordinate intervention strategies for management of individuals and school-wide crises
ADMISSION
You must be currently enrolled in the Masters of Science in Counseling or School Psychology or have completed the M.S. program at CSUN prior to applying to the credential program. Information about the M.S. program can be found here. Please note, the Masters of Science in Counseling or School Psychology program is only available for Fall admission.
1. Credential Program Application - After being admitted to the master’s program and within the first semester of coursework, all candidates must submit a separate online credential program application along with nonrefundable $50.00 application processing fee (an additional $1.38 service fee will be assessed at checkout).
2. Valid California Credential or Certificate of Clearance – Information regarding applying for the Certificate of Clearance can be found here.
3. Basic Skills – Proof of having passed or attempted is required for admission. If you turn in an attempt that is not passing, you will need to pass prior to being recommended for the credential.
Basic skills can be verified in one of the following ways:
- Passage of California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST)
- Passage of CSET: Multiple Subjects and CSET Writing Skills
- EAP/ELM/EPT (see CTC leaflet for passing score requirement)
- SAT or ACT (see CTC leaflet for passing score requirement)
- College Board Advance Placement (AP) Exam (see CTC leaflet for passing score requirement)
- CTC approved Out-of-State Basic Skills Exams
- Coursework in reading, writing, and mathematics (see CTC leaflet for additional information regarding this option)
- Combination of coursework and CBEST exam (see CTC leaflet for additional information regarding this option)
Detailed information regarding options for meeting the Basic Skills requirement can be found on the CTC website.
When verifying basic skills through an approved examination, please have the scores sent directly to CSUN from the testing agency. If the scores are not on file with CSUN, you will need to contact the testing agency to request a copy of the test results be sent to CSUN. Testing agency and score report information can be found on the CTC website.
You will need to submit the Basic Skills Requirement Evaluation Request with your program application.
Program Requirements
GPA– 2.75 overall since admission and 3.0 with no grades lower than “C” in the professional program coursework.
Select specialized area for complete program and course information
Contact Information and Advisement
For questions regarding the credential program application process, please contact the Credential Office at (818) 677-2733 or credprep@csun.edu.
Academic advisement is provided by the Department of Educational Psychology and Counseling. Contact the Department of Educational Psychology and Counseling by calling 818-677-2599.
Program Completion Process
Information regarding how to apply for your Pupil Personnel Services Credential document can be found on our website.
IMPORTANT! Before beginning the online application, make sure you are not logged into the CSUN portal. All required documents must be uploaded with your online application do not mail or fax any documents. The only item that should be mailed are transcripts, if applicable.
Application & Submission Guide
Please read our application guide fully, then check the box below to proceed to submit your application.
This guide will also assist you during the application submission process. If you experience issues while completing your application, refer back to the guide prior to contacting the Credential Office.