Prospective Students

If you are unable to attend one of these sessions, you may watch this pre-recorded Information Session from Spring 2023. 

Instructions for Completing the Application

Applying to all EPC programs is a two-step process that requires applying to the University and to the specific program you want to apply to in the Department of Educational Psychology and Counseling. As a reminder, no applicant will be considered unless the following two applications have been received. You may submit your application during the application window only. Please see the Application Deadlines tab for more details.

Step ONE: Apply for Admission to the University through Cal State Apply.

Apply to CSUN  

Step TWO: Apply for Admission to the Educational Psychology and Counseling Department through Apply Web- CollegeNet.

Apply to EPC Dept

• Individual programs have additional requirements, including the completion of specific prerequisites for the program; see the Prerequisite Course Information page for more details.

• You may refer to the FAQ page or Application Checklists tab found on the Prospective Student webpage for additional guidance. 
• Please note: All paperwork submitted to the university becomes university property and will not be returned to the applicant for any reason, nor are we able to provide you with copies. Please note that there are no exceptions to this policy. Any requests for copies or for the return of application paperwork will be denied.

Program Interviews

In addition to the application, an on-campus or virtual interview (by-invitation-only) is required for admission. Note: Because of the large number of applicants, not all applicants will be invited for interviews. You will be notified some time after the Application Deadline of the final interview date and time. Since all candidates are interviewed together in a group setting, interview dates cannot be rescheduled.

Please note: We will not accept applications for the Development, Learning, Instruction, and Evaluation (DLI&E) or the Career Counseling programs this application period.

Important Note: It is the responsibility of the applicant to adhere to the department application deadlines. Should the applicant apply after the deadline, the application will not be reviewed by the department. It is also important to note that per University policy, application fees are non-refundable. See: Graduate and Post-Baccalaureate Application Procedures

Application Checklists

The application checklists are for organizational purposes. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that all requirements for admission to the university and to the department are met.

Marriage and Family Therapy Application Checklist

Counseling Application Checklist (School Counseling; College Counseling and Student Services)

School Psychology Application Checklist

Early Childhood Educational Psychology Application Checklist

Please visit our Frequently Asked Questions webpage for more information on our programs. 

Prerequisite Course Information

Applicants are required to complete specific prerequisite courses prior to enrolling in the program. All prerequisite courses must be a minimum of 3 semester/4.5 quarter units and completed within the past seven (7) years with a grade of B minus or better. There are no exceptions to this rule. Please visit the 

Prerequisite Course Information page for the prerequisite courses required for each program. 

If you are currently a CSUN student, you may take these courses at CSUN during the fall, spring, or summer session. If you are not currently enrolled at CSUN, you may take these courses at CSUN during the Summer session through CSUN’s Tseng College.

Alternatively, you may take a course equivalent at another college on our Pre-Approved Course Substitution list. This list will help you identify courses offered at other institutions that have been approved as substitutes for the required EPC prerequisites at CSUN. The colleges on this list include California Community College, CSU, and UC campuses.   

If there is a course or combination of courses that is not on our Pre-approved Course Substitution list but that you believe, based on a comparison of the course descriptions, could serve as a substitute, please email the EPC Department Office at epcadmin@csun.edu to request a review. In your email, please include a completed Prerequisite Course Substitution form, copy of the syllabus, course catalog description, and copy of the transcript for each course you are inquiring about. For planned courses, please request approval before enrolling.

Please visit the individual program webpages for detailed information on our graduate programs. 

M.S. in Counseling, option in School Counseling (with PPS credential)

M.S. in Counseling, option in College Counseling and Student Services

M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy

M.S. in School Psychology (with PPS credential)

M.A. in Early Childhood Educational Psychology