School Counseling Certificate
Department of Counseling and Family Sciences, Griggs Hall, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA
Program Director
Cheryl J. Simpson, PhD, LEP, PPS
University of Oregon (1980); professor of counseling and family sciences; licensed educational psychologist; PPS credentialed school counselor and psychologist.
Contact Information: (909) 558-4547 ext. 47012; csimpson@llu.edu
Department
The School Counseling Certificate is housed in the Department of Counseling and Family Sciences. The department also has post-baccalaureate certificate programs in Child Life Specialist, Clinical Medication, Drug and Alcohol Counseling, Family Counseling, and Family Life Education in addition to its graduate degree programs in Child Life Specialist (MS), Counseling (MS), Family Studies (MA and PhD), and Marital and Family Therapy (MS, DMFT, and PhD).
Mission
Loma Linda University’s mission of whole person care guides the faculty in working collaboratively for the purpose of transforming lives through education, research, clinical training, community service, and global outreach. Students are invited to join with faculty in supporting university values of compassion, integrity, excellence, freedom, justice, purity, and humility. These attributes are depicted by the Good Samaritan statue in the heart of campus which contrasts human indifference and ethnic pride with empathy and service. Amidst the rich cultural heritage of our academic community, the education offered within the Department of Counseling and Family Sciences is the foundation upon which to develop new and ever more nurturing ways of being with others.
Accreditation
The MS in Counseling and the MS in Marital and Family Therapy degree programs are accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). The Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) credential is accredited by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC).
Professional School Counseling
Professional school counseling emerged more than a century ago when families were transformed through immigration, urbanization, industrialization, school attendance laws, war, the GI Bill, increasing career choices, and other societal changes that brought about the need for academic advisement and mental health services in public schools. Counseling and guidance services became an extension of the family support system while students were in the custody of school personnel. As an integral part of the school program, counseling has a threefold purpose for helping students: 1) assist with personal and social development; 2) help to facilitate academic success, and 3) provide guidance related to career interests and goals through exploration and educational planning. In addition to working with students, counselors serve as consultants to families, teachers, administrators, partners in the community, and others who work with and for students.
School Counseling Requirements
The School Counseling Certificate is offered for the purpose of qualifying graduates for the California Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) Credential in School Counseling. The credential option is open to students in the MS in Counseling and MS in Marital and Family Therapy programs. Upon satisfactory completion of the MS degree requirements and all school counseling requirements, graduates will be recommended to the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing for the PPS Credential in School Counseling.
Application Process
Students in the MS in Marital and Family Therapy degree program may apply to the School Counseling Certificate program at any time during their graduate studies or following graduation. Students in the MS in Counseling program may choose the school counseling specialization as an option within their degree program. The California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST) is required for the PPS Credential but it is not required prior to admission.
Admission Requirements
Applicants may be admitted into the School Counseling Certificate program during any of the four quarters which begin in July, September, January, and March. Current students in the MS in Marital and Family Therapy program are welcome to apply at any time during their first year or second year, and they may apply following degree completion. The following admission standards apply:
- Minimum undergraduate grade point average of 3.0
- All official college transcripts received by LLU
- Health clearance, including TB testing
- Background check, including Live Scan
- Three letters of recommendation as specified
- Written personal statement with application
- Interview with three department faculty (Group interviews held in March and May)
- Applicants for whom English is not first language must present score for TOEFL as published in Loma Linda University Catalog
- Applicants who are not US citizens or permanent residents must provide valid student visa
Financial Assistance
Students accepted into the School Counseling Certificate program may have the opportunity to qualify for assistance through merit-based awards such as teaching, graduate and research assistantships which are paid through the work study program. Miscellaneous student scholarships may be available for specific purposes throughout the year. For educational loans and other financial information, applicants are advised to contact:
Student Financial Aid Office
Student Services
Loma Linda University
Loma Linda, CA 92350
(909) 558-4509
CBEST
A student must pass all sections of the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST) before the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing will grant a Pupil Personnel Services Credential in School Counseling. Although passing the test is not a degree or certificate requirement and not an admission requirement for the school counseling specialization, students working toward the PPS credential must take the CBEST early in the program to ensure that faculty can recommend resources for those who need remediation support.
Program Information
MS in Marital and Family students must apply and be accepted into the School Counseling Certificate program. Upon successful completion of the MS in Marital and Family Therapy degree program and all certificate requirements, a Loma Linda University recommendation is made to the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing for the student to be granted a Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) credential in School Counseling. This credential is required for practice as a professional school counselor in California, and it is generally portable throughout the United States through reciprocity agreements.
School Counseling Certificate Courses
Courses in addition to the MS in Marital and Family Therapy:
COUN 574 Psychological Foundations of Education (3)
COUN 575 Counseling Theories and Applications (3)
COUN 576 Exceptional & Medically Challenged Children (3)
COUN 577 Assessment in Counseling (3)
COUN 579 Career Theories and Applications (4)
COUN 678 Consultation and Program Evaluation (3)
COUN 681 School Counseling Practicum and Seminar (>1,1)
School Counseling Field Experience
COUN 781-784 School Counseling Field Experience (400 hours)
COUN 785-786 School Counseling Field Experience (200 hours) OR
200 hours of clinical training in the MS Counseling or MS MFT program
Field Experience Requirements
Field experience requirements for the School Counseling Certificate Program are designed to meet the California Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) credential requirements for school counseling. Students must complete 600 clock hours of field experience in accordance with the following guidelines:
- Required counseling field experience: 600 total hours
- Required public school field experience: 400 hours divided between two different grade levels (elementary, middle or high school) with no fewer than 200 hours at each of the two levels. A PPS credentialed professional must supervise these hours.
- Elective hours: 200 hours may be completed in a non-school setting, private school, or public school at any grade level. Supervisor must be licensed mental health professional or PPS credentialed school counselor depending upon what is appropriate for the specific counseling environment.
- Two hundred (200) clinical hours from LPCC or MFT training can count toward PPS elective hours.