School of Education / Programs Overview / Master's / Credential Programs / School Counseling with Credential / Program Details

Program Details

The Masters in School Counseling program seeks to improve the human condition by training counselors to become social justice agents of change who promote equitable conditions inside and outside of schools. As you pursue everything this program has to offer, consider the following information to broaden your understanding of the field.

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Tuition

The USF MA in School Counseling Program features:

  • A focus on building and recognizing students' cultural assets
  • Special lower rate for credential students

The main assets of the program include:

  • Two-year program that starts in summer
  • A clear Pupil Personnel Services Credential (PPS) to practice as a school counselor
  • An additional option (with additional required courses) for Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor licensure pathway (LPCC)
  • Fieldwork training in schools begins immediately to complement academic coursework

PROGRAM DELIVERY

Teaching Schedule

Initial Summer Semester

  • Includes foundational coursework which will take place in June and July to help ensure students are prepared for their first Fall in schools. 

First Fall Semester

  • In addition to the Weekend Teaching Schedule below, there are four additional Friday evenings during the first semester – that meets 5:30pm-8:45 pm

Fall and Spring Semesters | Nine weekends per semester

Summer Sessions | Six consecutive weekends during June and July

  • Friday evenings 5:00pm-9:45 pm & Saturdays 8:00am-5:15 pm
  • Students selecting the PCC option have classes in the above format during the summer following their graduation

Students go through the program together as a cohort, forming informal study groups and building on each other's knowledge and life experiences. Such collaborative learning is a powerful force in shaping each individual’s academic and professional experience. The relationships formed in the program often lead to support, resources, and professional opportunities.

Sample Course Sequence
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49-Unit School Counseling Course Sequence

SUMMER I (6 units)

  • Foundations of School Counseling (3)
  • CPSY 618: Law & Ethics (3)

FALL I (10 units)

  • CPSY 607: Counseling Theory and Practice (3)
  • CPSY 612: Lifespan Developmental Counseling (3)
  • CPSY 606: Cross Cultural Counseling (3)
  • CPSY 620: PPS Traineeship I (1)

SPRING I (9 units)

  • CPSY 613: Group Counseling (3)
  • CPSY 624: Qualitative & Quantitative Research Methods (3)
  • CPSY 621: PPS Traineeship II (3)

SUMMER II (6 units)

  • CPSY 615: Assessment and the Counselor (3)
  • CPSY 623: Trauma and Crisis Counseling in Urban and Multicultural Contexts (3)

FALL (9 units)

  • CPSY 614: Career Counseling (3)
  • CPSY 609: Academic Counseling (3)
  • CPSY 622: PPS Traineeship III (3)

SPRING II (9 units)

  • CPSY 639: Individual and Family Psychopathology (3)
  • PPS Traineeship IV (3) (New Course)
  • CPSY 617: Consulting with Parents, Teachers, and Schools (3)

Sample Course Sequence for PCC
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60-Unit School Counseling Course Sequence (2-year with PCC)

SUMMER I (6 units)

  • CPSY 600: Foundations of School Counseling (3) – 3 weekends
  • CPSY 618: Law & Ethics (3) – 3 weekends

FALL I (10 units)

  • CPSY 607: Counseling Theory and Practice (3) – Friday evenings  
  • CPSY 612: Lifespan Developmental Counseling (3) – Saturday mornings  
  • CPSY 606: Cross Cultural Counseling (3) – Saturday afternoons 
  • CPSY 620: PPS Traineeship I (1) – 4 Friday evenings  

WINTER INTERSESSION I (2 PCC units)

  • CPSY 644: Child, Elder and Adult Abuse (1)* (online) – 10 date range
  • CPSY 635: Human Sexuality (1)* – 1 Friday evening, 1 Saturday all day

SPRING I (9 units + 3 PCC units = 12 units)

  • CPSY 613: Group Counseling (3) – Friday evenings 
  • CPSY 624: Qualitative & Quantitative Research Methods (3) – Saturday afternoons 
  • CPSY 621: PPS Traineeship II (3) – Saturday mornings 
  • CPSY 665: Substance Abuse and Addictions Counseling (3)* – Thursday evenings

SUMMER II (6 units + 3 PCC units = 9 units)

  • CPSY 615: Assessment and the Counselor (3) – 3 weekends
  • CPSY 623: Trauma and Crisis Counseling in Urban and Multicultural Contexts (3) – 3 weekends

FALL II (9 units + 3 PCC units = 12 units)

  • CPSY 614: Career Counseling (3) – Friday evenings 
  • CPSY 609: Academic Counseling (3) – Saturday mornings 
  • CPSY 622: PPS Traineeship III (3) – Saturday afternoons 
  • CPSY 687: Family Systems Therapy (3)* – Thursday evenings 

WINTER INTERSESSION II (3 PCC units)

  • CPSY 683: Clinical Psychopharmacology (3 units – Hybrid)* – 2 Thursdays (online), 2 Friday evenings & 2 Saturdays all day

SPRING II (9 units)

  • CPSY 639: Individual and Family Psychopathology (3) – Friday evenings 
  • CPSY 627: PPS Traineeship IV (3) (New Course) – Saturday afternoons 
  • CPSY 617: Consulting with Parents, Teachers, and Schools (3) – Saturday mornings  

Note: PCC Courses are marked by an asterisk (*)