MA in Education: Educational and Clinical Counseling with an Embedded Pupil Personnel Services Credential in School Counseling

APU’s M.A.Ed. in Educational and Clinical Counseling with Embedded PPS School Counseling Credential program prepares candidates to obtain a PPS credential necessary to work in K-12 school settings, provides a clinical emphasis, and satisfies the coursework requirements set forth for California licensure as an LPCC.

For more information: (626) 815-5026

The Master of Arts in Education: Educational and Clinical Counseling degree is a 62-unit program that encompasses the 50-unit MAEd in Educational Counseling degree plus the 12 additional units of coursework required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences for Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) eligibility. The program prepares candidates to obtain a Pupil Personnel Services Credential necessary to work in K-12 school settings, provides a clinical emphasis, and satisfies the coursework requirements set forth for California licensure as an LPCC. Contact the department for specific information pertaining to the benefits of this degree option.

A requirement of the program is the completion of fieldwork or an internship, both of which provide candidates with hands-on experience in school counseling. Students must complete the 8 prerequisite courses prior to enrolling in fieldwork or internship. An internship credential is appropriate for students who have secured a paid internship position and a contract to serve as a school counselor at a California public school. Students applying for an internship credential may submit their application for it upon successful completion of the fieldwork prerequisite courses and prior to the start of the internship experience.

Course Sequence

Obtain academic advising prior to initial registration.

Term 1
EDCO 533Counseling Theories and Techniques 1, 23
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
EDCO 560
School Counseling Fieldwork I
EDCO 580
School Counseling Internship I
Term 5
EDCO 534Assessment, Measurements, and Testing of Individuals3
EDCO 579Sociocultural Competence3
Select one of the following:4
EDCO 561
School Counseling Fieldwork II
EDCO 581
School Counseling Internship II
Term 6
EDCO 571Introduction to Clinical Practice: Basic Skills3
EDCO 572Psychobiology and Psychopharmacology3
EDCO 573Addictions, Assessment, and Interventions3
EDCO 574Introduction to Clinical Practice: Advanced Skills3
Total Units62
1

Prerequisites for fieldwork/internship.

2

Students who begin their studies in the spring semester must follow the advisement sheet provided by the department, which is slightly different in sequence.

Additional Requirements

  1. Candidates must earn a passing score of 150 or greater on the Praxis II (code 5421) exam to demonstrate their competence in school counseling prior to completion of the program.
  2. All candidates admitted to the Master of Arts in Education: Educational and Clinical Counseling program are required to submit a copy of their California Certificate of Clearance (COC) 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

  • Educational psychology can be pursued as an educational specialist (EdS) degree with a second master’s degree embedded after completing the requirements for the Master of Arts in Education: Educational and Clinical Counseling. Because these programs are unique, candidates must be admitted to each program separately. Candidates intending to pursue two Master of Arts in Education degrees should review the university requirements for additional master’s degrees as stated in the Academic Policies and Procedures section of the catalog.
  • The practicum experience included in the educational and clinical 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 are 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 receive a grade of B- or higher in each course (a grade of CR in fieldwork/internship) and maintain a 3.0 grade-point average (GPA) throughout the program.
  • Candidates approaching program completion must obtain a credential application from the Office of Credentials. The graduate degree must be conferred before receiving the credential recommendation.
  • Candidates approaching graduation must obtain and complete a Graduation Application from the Office of the Registrar in accordance with published university deadlines. The registrar and department will collaborate to determine whether the student has met all requirements.
  • A candidate has 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 degree program.
  • Upon completion of the educational and clinical counseling program, graduates should contact the Board of Behavioral Sciences for additional requirements for LPCC Licensure.

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.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete this program shall be able to:
  1. Demonstrate competency in foundations of School Counseling Professional Standards.
    2.
  2. Demonstrate competency in professionalism, ethics, and legal mandates.
    3.
  3. Demonstrate competency in student academic development.
    4.
  4. Demonstrate competency in student college and career development.
    5.
  5. Demonstrate competency in social/emotional development.
    6.
  6. Demonstrate competency in educational foundations: growth and development, learning theory, academic achievement.
    7.
  7. Demonstrate competency in leadership and advocacy in social justice, equity, and access.
    8.
  8. Demonstrate competency in program development.
    9.
  9. Demonstrate competency in research, program evaluation, and technology.