Department of Counseling and Family Sciences
MS in Counseling
Program director
Cheryl J. Simpson, PhD, LEP, PPS
University of Oregon, Eugene (1980); Professor of Counseling and Family Sciences; licensed educational psychologist; PPS credentialed school counselor and school psychologist; csimpson@llu.edu
Mission statement
The MS in Counseling program is congruent with Loma Linda University's vision of transforming lives through whole person health care. The department supports University values of compassion, integrity, excellence, freedom, justice, purity, and humility. These attributes are depicted by the Good Samaritan sculpture in the heart of campus, which contrasts human indifference and ethnic pride with empathy and service. Our mission is to bring health, healing, wholeness, and hope to individuals, families, and communities through education, research, clinical training, community service, and global outreach.
The counseling profession
Professional counseling emerged a century ago as communities of multi-generational families were transformed through war, urbanization, industrialization, immigration, compulsory education, increasing career choices, and other societal changes that brought about the need for mental health services. Throughout the United States, counseling has developed into a highly interdisciplinary, relational profession in the social sciences, which includes such specialty areas as mental health counseling, rehabilitation counseling, developmental counseling, pastoral counseling, family counseling, career counseling, school counseling, sports and wellness counseling, addictions counseling, clinical mediation, residence hall deans' counseling, and student personnel services on high school and college campuses.
Master's in counseling degree
The Department of Counseling and Family Sciences offers an MS in Counseling with high quality academic and clinical standards that leads to a variety of career options. This interdisciplinary master's degree is designed to prepare counselors with a broad background in mental health counseling and school counseling. In 49 states, master's-level counselors can be licensed for private practice. California is the only exception, and licensure is currently being explored by the state legislature. Additional counseling specializations can be combined with this degree by completing certificate programs, which are described in greater detail below.
Accreditation
Loma Linda University's academic programs are accredited by the Western Association of Schools & Colleges (WASC). The Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) Credential program in School Counseling is accredited by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC). Additional PPS information can be obtained by going to the CTC website at http://www.ctc.ca.gov.
Credential and license
Credential
Requirements for the California Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) Credential in School Counseling are embedded in the MS in Counseling degree to give graduates the option of a career in school counseling. The PPS credential is required for work as a salaried, certificated counselor in California public schools. Fitness clearance and a passing score on all sections of the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST) are required for the PPS credential.
License (available in all states except California)
Master's-level licensure as a professional counselor is standard practice in all states EXCEPT California, which is currently debating the issue in the state legislature. Such licensure requires additional university-supervised practicum, supervised post-degree clinical hours, and licensing examinations in accordance with the guidelines of the states' licensing boards. Students desiring out-of-state licensure should research standards in states of their interest.
Professional experience
In addition to successful completion of 72 quarter credits of academic coursework and the two required co-requisites, candidates in the MS in Counseling program complete field experience in clinical and/or school settings. Each candidate is required to complete one hundred (100) clock hours of university supervised practicum prior to placement in counseling field experience. Following practicum, candidates are required to complete six hundred (600) clock hours of counseling field experience in a minimum of two different settings, serving at least two different age groups. While enrolled in COUN 680 field experience, students meet one and a half (1.5) hours for university supervision each week in COUN 681Counseling Seminar (1) as scheduled.
Admission requirements
Applicants to the MS in Counseling must meet the School of Science and Technology admission requirements as outlined in the Loma Linda University Catalog and give evidence of academic ability, emotional stability, and personal maturity. Applicants who meet these requirements as well as the published deadlines for the following terms may be admitted during fall, winter, spring, or summer quarters. Additional admission requirements include:
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Minimum grade point average 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale in bachelor's coursework for at least the final 45 units prior to graduation)
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Health clearance
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A background check (required before matriculation to the program)
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Official transcripts on file
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Critical Essay Examination administered at LLU
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Required coursework prior to or concurrent with first two quarters of the master's curriculum: abnormal psychology and statistics
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Three letters of recommendation as specified
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Written personal statement that addresses career objectives, personal interest in the counseling profession, rationale for choosing to attend Loma Linda University, how life experiences have influenced applicant's choice to enter the field, and additional thoughts the applicant deems important
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Applicants for whom English is not their first language must present a minimum score for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) of 213 on the computer administration of the test or a score of 550 for the pencil/paper administration.
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Applicants who are not citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. must provide a valid student visa.
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Interview with department faculty as scheduled (On-campus group interviews are scheduled for mid-March and mid-May; other on-campus and phone interviews are scheduled individually.)
Co-requisite
In addition to the master's curriculum, co-requisite courses in abnormal psychology and statistics are required of all MS in Counseling students. Applicants are advised to complete these courses prior to starting the MS program. Those who do not complete them prior to registration will be required to do so before enrolling in specific courses for which they are listed as prerequisites in the university catalog. The program director may waive a co-requisite depending upon the student's prior course work or background. A student may challenge a co-requisite by taking a waiver examination. Applicants wishing to complete these co-requisites prior to enrollment must complete them at a regionally accredited college or university and must provide official transcripts for verification. In addition to completing the required application forms, applicants must provide character and academic references. Applicants must also pass Loma Linda University's Critical Essay Examination, pass the university's writing course, OR provide documentation of a 4.5 score on the Analytical Writing Test of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
Degree requirements
Requirements for the MS in Counseling include the following:
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Residence of at least two academic years
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A minimum of 74 quarter units of graduate work, which includes credit received for core courses, electives, and a 3-unit religion course
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Certificate of Clearance prior to field experience
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Field experience in counseling, which includes pre-field experience practicum, 600 clock hours of COUN 680 field experience as specified in curriculum, and university supervision through COUN 681 Counseling Seminar as scheduled
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Successful completion of a written comprehensive examination (taken before advancement to candidacy) and an exit interview (prior to program completion)
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Prior to matriculation applicants must pass a background check
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Students taking foreign language as an elective must register for language courses numbered 400 or higher to receive elective credits.
Financial assistance
Students accepted into the MS in Counseling may receive financial assistance through merit-based awards, teaching assistantships, research and student-service assistantships, or through need-based financial aid such as a loan or the university's work/study program. Students may apply for financial aid by writing to:
Student Financial Aid Office
Student Services
Loma Linda University
Loma Linda, CA 92350
(909) 558-4509
Learning outcomes
Counseling candidates will:
1. Integrate counseling concepts and skills with a personal epistemology
2. Demonstrate counseling interventions based upon a broad range of theoretical and legal/ethical frameworks through comprehensive written examination
3. Develop identity as a counselor through membership and participation in professional organizations
4. Satisfactorily complete six hundred (600) clock hours of supervised practicum in counseling
5. Meet all university qualifications for the California Pupil Personnel Services Credential (PPS) in School Counseling which is issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC)
Curriculum
The curriculum for the MS in Counseling is divided into three domains as described below.
Domain I: Educational Foundations and Beliefs
Includes courses in learning theory, educational psychology, socio-cultural competence, research, and introductory statistics.
Domain II: Theory and Cognitive Competence Challenges candidates with a variety of theoretical constructs from which to develop an approach to counseling that is compatible with their own belief systems and personhood. Students are expected to learn how to deconstruct theories and create a foundation upon which to build their professional skills and relationships.
Domain III: Counseling Competence and Service Integrates the first two curriculum domains with clinical education and experience which emphasizes relational skill building, counseling practice, supervision, professional leadership, and altruism.
Courses
Domain I: Educational Foundations and Beliefs
COUN 501 Research: Quantitative (3)
COUN 502 Research: Qualitative (3)
COUN 545 Gender Perspectives (2)
COUN 547 Social Ecology in Development (3)
COUN 574 Psych Foun of Education (4)
MFAM 535 Case Presentation & Prof Studies (4)
RELR 564 Religion, Marriage & Family (3)
Domain II: Theory & Cognitive Competence
COUN 556 Psychopath & Diagnosis (3)
COUN 568 Group Proc Theory & Proced (3)
COUN 575 Counseling Theory & App (3)
COUN 576 Excep & Medically Challenged Child (3)
COUN 577 Assessment in Counseling (3)
COUN 584 Adv Child & Adolescent Dev (3)
COUN 674 Human Sexual Behavior (3)
Domain III: Counseling Competence & Service
COUN 514 Cross-Cultural Counseling (2)
COUN 515 Crisis Intervention Counseling (3)
COUN 578 College & Career Counseling (3)
COUN 614 Law & Ethics (3)
COUN 624 Indiv & Systems Assessment (3)
COUN 638 Fam Ther & Chem Abuse (3)
COUN 644 Child Abuse & Family Violence (3)
COUN 678 Consultation & Leadership (3)
COUN 679 School Counsel: Hist & Prac (3)
COUN 680 Field Experience in Counseling (600 hours)
COUN 681 Counseling Seminar (1): Quarterly registration of all students enrolled in COUN 680 until graded out of field experience. Minimum registration requirement
for COUN 680 is five (5) quarters
Co-Requisite Courses: Introductory Statistics
Abnormal Psychology
Electives Courses:
FMST 524 Family Resource Management (2)
FMST 528 Parenting (2)
FMST 529 Family Life Education (3)
MFAM 516 Play Therapy (2)
MFAM 538 Theory and Practice of Conflict Resolution (2)
MFAM 539 Solution-Focused Family Therapy (2)
MFAM 548 Men and Families (2)
MFAM 549 Christian Counseling and Family Therapy (2)
MFAM 551 Family Therapy: Foun Theories and Practice (3)
MFAM 553 Family Systems Theory (3)
MFAM 566 Psychopath and Diagnostic Procedures II (2)
MFAM 605 Gestalt Family Therapy (2)
