meets requirements for California Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) credential in School Counseling (see also MS in Counseling for PPS Option)
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. Email: csimpson@llu.edu
The School Counseling Certificate program is one of two options in the Department of Counseling and Family Sciences leading to the California Pupil Personnel Services Credential (PPS) in School Counseling. Credential requirements are embedded in the MS in Counseling degree outlined in the Loma Linda University Catalog. The second option for meeting all requirements for the California Pupil Personnel Services Credential (PPS) in School Counseling is the School Counseling Certificate program, which is open only to MS in Marital and Family Therapy degree students. The PPS in School Counseling is accredited by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) within the State Department of Education. Students enrolled in the MS in Marital and Family Therapy may earn this certificate (credential) by adding 28 quarter units and 600 hours of field experience in counseling, 400 of which must be completed in public schools at two different grade levels as specified.
The School Counseling Certificate 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.
Professional School 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. Providing counseling services through the schools was a logical extension of the family. Teachers and student support staff were responsible for children while they were in the school’s care. Throughout the United States, professional school counseling has continued to grow as an integral part of the educational system. Its focus is threefold: 1) personal and social development of students, 2) their academic achievement and success, and 3) career interest, exploration, and preparation. In addition to working with students on campus, professional school counselors serve as consultants for school administrators, faculty, staff, parents, community leaders, and other professionals who work with and for students. The role of professional school counselors varies with the district and grade levels ranging from preschool through college and university.
The School Counseling Certificate is designed specifically for MS in Marital and Family Therapy students who wish to add the California Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) Credential in School Counseling to their programs. All degree requirements and certificate requirements must be met and the degree awarded prior to recommendation for the PPS credential.
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
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.
In addition to successful completion of the MS in Marital and Family Therapy and School Counseling Certificate courses, students must 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, students meet one and a half (1.5) hours for university supervision each week in COUN 681 Counseling Seminar (1) as scheduled.
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:
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 coursework 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).
The School Counseling Certificate is offered through Loma Linda University for the purpose of meeting all requirements for the California Pupil Personnel Services Credential (PPS) in School Counseling. The credential is awarded by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing after all university certificate/credential/degree requirements are met and the master's degree is awarded. Requirements for the combined School Counseling Certificate/MS in Marital and Family Therapy include:
Loma Linda University students in the MS in Marital and Family Therapy degree program may complete the School Counseling Certificate program concurrently with their degree program. The application process is separate, and acceptance into the certificate program is not automatic. Applicants whose master's degree in Marital and Family Therapy was completed at another university must have their transcripts analyzed prior to enrollment in the School Counseling Certificate program to determine whether there are deficiencies which need to be addressed.
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
School 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)
The curriculum for the School Counseling Certificate program combines specialization courses for the California Pupil Personnel Services Credential (PPS) in School Counseling with the requirements for the MS in Marital and Family Therapy degree.
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.
Domain I: Educational Foundations and Beliefs
COUN/MFAM 501 Research: Quantitative (3)
COUN/MFAM 502 Research: Qualitative (3)
COUN/MFAM 545 Gender Perspectives (2)
COUN/MFAM 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/MFAM 556 Psychopath & Diagnosis (3)
COUN/MFAM 568 Group Proc Theory & Proced (3)
COUN/MFAM 575 Counseling Theory & App (3)
COUN 576 Excep & Medically Challenged Child (3)
COUN 577 Assessment in Counseling (3)
COUN/MFAM 584 Adv Child & Adolescent Dev (3)
COUN/MFAM 674 Human Sexual Behavior (3)
Domain III: Counseling Competence & Service
COUN/MFAM 514 Cross-Cultural Counseling (2)
COUN/MFAM 515 Crisis Intervention Counseling (3)
COUN 578 College & Career Counseling (3)
COUN/MFAM 614 Law & Ethics (3)
COUN/MFAM 624 Indiv & Systems Assessment (3)
COUN/MFAM 638 Fam Ther & Chem Abuse (3)
COUN/MFAM 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 all field experience. Minimum registration
requirement for COUN 681is two (2) quarters.
MFAM 551 Family Therapy: Foun Theories and Practice (3)
MFAM 553 Family Systems Theory (3)
MFAM 564 Family Therapy: Adv Foun Theories and Practice (3)
MFAM 524 Psychopharmacology and Medical Issues (3)
MFAM 552 Couples Therapy: Theory and Practice (3)
MFAM 524 Psychopharmacology and Medical Issues (3)
MFAM 552 Couples Therapy: Theory and Practice (3)
MFAM Theory Elective
Co-requisite courses: Introductory Statistics
Abnormal Psychology
Practicum in marriage and family counseling. A minimum of 500 direct client-contact hours and 100 direct-supervision hours are required. Of the direct client-contact hours, at least 250 hours must be with couples and families. Of the direct-supervision hours, at least 50 hours must be with raw data (video, audio, and live supervision). For every week in which clients are seen, the student must have at least one hour of individual supervision. The ratio of supervision hours to treatment hours must not be less than one hour of supervision to five hours of clinical contact. Clinical training, as defined by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy, includes a minimum of twelve continuous months in a clinical traineeship. Students enrolled in the program should consult the clinical training manual regarding clinical training requirements.
(909) 558-4547, extension 47012. Email: csimpson@llu.edu
Last Revised: Mon, Apr 28, 2008
