Pupil Personnel Services: School Counseling Credential

APU’s PPS School Counseling Credential program is for students who have already earned a Master of Arts in Education: Educational Psychology and PPS School Psychology Credential.

For more information: (626) 815-5026

Prerequisite: Educational Specialist in School Psychology with Embedded Master of Arts in Education: Educational Psychology and Pupil Personnel Services Credential in School Psychology

A required transcript evaluation of students’ current PPS school psychology courses will determine which courses will count toward the PPS: School Counseling Credential.

Requirements are the same as for Azusa Pacific University’s Master of Arts in Education: Educational Counseling with Embedded Pupil Personnel Services Credential in School Counseling program, which are as follows:

Term 1
EDCO 533Counseling Theories and Techniques 13
EDCO 535Professionalism, Ethics, and Law 13
EDCO 550Crisis/Trauma Response and Interventions 13
EDCO 557Human Growth, Development, and Learning 13
Term 2
EDCO 545Positive Behavior Supports and Classroom Intervention 13
EDCO 555Group Counseling Skills 13
EDCO 575Clinical Practica 13
EDCO 592Foundations in Research 13
Term 3
EDCO 528Community, Family, and School Collaboration3
EDCO 593Historical Development of School Counseling and School Psychology3
Term 4
EDCO 549Career Development Theories and Techniques3
EDCO 587School Counseling Professionalism3
Select one of the following:4
School Counseling Fieldwork I
School Counseling Internship I
Term 5
EDCO 534Assessment, Measurements, and Testing of Individuals3
EDCO 579Sociocultural Competence3
Select one of the following:4
School Counseling Fieldwork II
School Counseling Internship II
Total Units50
1

Prerequisites for fieldwork/internship

Additional Requirements

  1. Candidates must earn a passing score of 150 or greater on the Praxis II School Counselor Test (code 5422) exam to demonstrate their competence in school counseling prior to completion of the program.
  2. All candidates admitted to the Pupil Personnel Services: School Counseling Credential program are required to submit a copy of their California Certificate of Clearance or another form of clearance, such as a valid and current credential for teaching, counseling, school psychology, and/or nursing. The law requires Azusa Pacific University to keep these records on file while candidates are in attendance at APU.
  3. Candidates must verify successful completion of the California Basic Skills Requirement via one of the options approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC), prior to admission. 

Advisory Notes

  • The practicum experience included in the educational counseling program is required by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing and consists of 100 hours completed in a K-12 setting or approved clinical setting. These hours will be verified in the EDCO 575 course, which must be taken prior to fieldwork or internship. This course provides candidates the educational and clinical experience in applied psychotherapeutic techniques, assessment, diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, issues of development, adjustment and maladjustment, health and wellness promotion, and other recognized counseling interventions.
  • At some regional campuses, candidates may need to delay enrollment until there is a sufficient number of beginning candidates to provide the appropriate adult learning opportunities. Applicants can obtain detailed information about dates for beginning coursework by requesting an advisement appointment at the Azusa campus or any of the regional campuses.
  • Candidates must maintain a minimum cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 3.0 in their program of study, and receive a grade of B- or higher in each course (a grade of CR in fieldwork/internship). 
  • Candidates approaching program completion must obtain a credential application from the Office of Credentials. An appropriate counseling-related graduate degree from a regionally accredited college or university must be conferred before receiving the credential recommendation.
  • Candidates have a maximum of five years to complete all coursework and assessments, including waivers and transfer of units, beginning the first date of enrollment for coursework in the credential program.

Admission

University graduate admission and program-specific requirements must be met before an application is complete (see Admission to the University). Program-specific application requirements are available online.

International students should contact Graduate and Professional Admissions for application procedures.