1. San Diego State University School Counseling Graduate Program
M.S. in Counseling with a specialization
in School Counseling

2. Mission
The mission of the SDSU School Counseling program is to prepare school counselors to become leaders, advocates and systems change agents in our diverse schools. As an integral part of the total educational program for student success, school counselors learn to design, develop, implement and evaluate their comprehensive school counseling program to ensure that every student receives developmentally appropriate competencies in academic, career and
personal/social development. School counselors become professional student advocates who promote equity and access to a rigorous education for every student and who work to prevent and remove barriers to learning. Our School Counseling graduates develop themselves as culturally competent leaders in educational reform and social justice in the schools and communities they serve. 

3. Trish Hatch, Ph.D. Assistant Professor & Director, School Counseling Program
Director, School Counseling Graduate Program:  Current Director of the school counseling graduate program at San Diego State University. Teaches courses in Prevention and Intervention, Educational Research Methods, Program Evaluation, Professional Seminar and Fieldwork. 
Administrator: Experienced high school administrator over guidance and central office administrator over school counseling programs for 32 schools and 75 school counselors.
School Counselor: Experience school counselor at all levels K-12.
Author: Co-author of The ASCA National Model:  A  Framework for School Counseling Programs (2003, 2005). Co-author of Evidence-Based School Counseling: Making a Difference with Data Driven Practices (2007).
Trainer: Expertise in the “Use of Data to Effect Change,” "Designing Standards and Results-Based School Counseling,"  and “ASCA other programs.  Providing short one day or intensive five day learning opportunities.

4. Beverly Booker, Ph.D. Assistant Professor, School Counseling Program
Professor, School Counseling Graduate Program: 
Professor in the school counseling graduate program at San Diego State University. Teaches courses in Group Counseling, Interventions with Children and Adolescents, Cross-Cultural Counseling, and School Learning.  
School Counseling Director: Experienced school counseling director over school counseling program…
School Counselor: Experience school counselor at all levels K-12.
Author: Author and co-author of multiple journal and magazine articles including Using Technology to Promote your Guidance and Counseling Program among Stakeholders.
Consultant: Designing, developing, coordinating, implementing and evaluating school counseling programs.

5. What is a School Counselor?
Ensure all students receive the education, prevention and intervention necessary to support academic achievement
Social justice advocates
Work towards eliminating the achievement gap
Assure all students receive equitable educational opportunities
Serve as student and systems advocates

6. SDSU Graduate Professionals Who Are:
Quality multi-cultural counselors
Passionate about social justice issues
Student and systems advocates
Agents of change
Ready to partner as leaders in the educational community

7. State Accredited Program
Prepares students to become professional school counselors ready to work at every level: elementary, middle school & high school.
Fully credentialed in California

8. Program Design
The program consists of two years of full-time graduate study. Students earn:
The unit M.S. degree with a specialization in school counseling and the California PPS-SC credential

9. San Diego State Graduates Get HIRED!
Our graduates have been hired! However, with the recent California budget crisis, graduates may need to be flexible in terms of moving out of San Diego or possibly the state for competitive positions.
Recent legislation (AB
1802) requires that all students in California (grades 7-12) receive individual planning by a credentialed school counselor.

10. What Are We Looking For?
We actively recruit graduate students who have:
A desire to be CUTTING EDGE
A PASSION for social justice
A GIFT for counseling
A LOVE for students

11. What Are We Looking For?
We seek students who desire to work in schools, who have experience in leadership roles, who are committed to working in our diverse communities, and who seek the challenge of growth and change…
We seek students who bring:
Academic and Professional Readiness
Education and Leadership Experience
Cross-Cultural Experience and Readiness

12. How Do I Apply?
Applications are available NOW and are due January 15th, Candidates from this pool who pass the screening process will be selected for interview.
Interviews are scheduled for Saturday March 7, 2009 (tentatively)
Remember that you are applying for FALL admission, however, students who are admitted into the program begin coursework in July 2009.

13. There are two separate applications that you need to complete and submit:
1- Apply to San Diego State University through CSU Mentor at You need to submit your FALL graduate admission application online and you must submit One Official Transcript from each institution attended and Test Scores to Enrollment Services.
2- Apply to the School Counseling Program. Please visit our website at to download an application and to learn about the supplemental materials required. You may also visit the Department of Counseling and School Psychology in North Education 179 to obtain an application or you may request one by calling (619)

14. For admission consideration into the School Counseling Program you will need to submit the following required materials:
School Counseling Program Application
VITA (see program application for fill-in form)
Essays (see program application for details)
One transcript from each university attended
Three letters of recommendation (academic, professional, and cross-cultural)
GRE results (copy of scores)
CBEST results (copy of scores)

15. Application Submission
Submit all of your required materials with your School Counseling Program Application in one single packet so that everything is kept organized and complete.
If you have further questions you may contact the School Counseling Graduate Assistant at

16. Required Exams Graduate Record Exam (GRE)
You must have the GRE completed prior to applying to the program
California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST)
Note: Out-of-state candidates can wait until they are admitted into the program to take the CBEST.

17. The admissions process has two phases:
Review of written application and supporting materials
A small group interview of selected applicants

18. First Phase
Each applicant is considered in the context of three primary questions:
(a) Does this person have the academic background and skills to succeed in our demanding graduate program?
(b) Does this person have sufficient knowledge of and experience with children, youth, and/or schools to predict professional commitment and development?
(c) Does this person have the depth and/or breadth of cultural knowledge or experiences needed for service providers in culturally diverse schools?

19. First Phase
While GREs and GPAs may be related to these questions, they are not the most important predictors. Thus, we give special attention to the applicants' related professional and life experiences, and compare their articulation of goals and objectives with the program's goals and objectives.
However, a GPA of 2.85 is deemed an absolute minimum to gain entry into the program.
Each application is reviewed by at least two faculty members who make recommendation for interviews.
The final group to be interviewed is determined by the school counseling/psychology faculty.

20. Second Phase
A full day of small group interviews with faculty and current students.
The small groups rotate through a variety of interviews and activities. Interviewers consider each applicant's "match" with program philosophy and emphases.
All interviewers meet to discuss the applicants, until consensus is reached regarding admissions status. Recommendations for admissions are then made to the Department faculty as a whole. Admissions decisions are made shortly after the interviews; however, it takes at least two weeks before letters are sent to applicants.

21. Current Grant Opportunities
Class of ’08 and ’09 students are currently participating in two grant opportunities:
The School Counselor and Disabilities Grant
The Native American Scholars and Collaborators Grant
These grants, and/or others may be available in the future

22. Other Financial Aid Fill out a FAFSA by March 2, 2009
Subsidized and non-subsidized loans
Grant money
Scholarships
For more information about SDSU Financial Aid, visit
Financing Graduate Education: Guide for Prospective Students

23. Life in the Program
Student Experiences as a full-time graduate student
Practicum & Field Work Placement
Classes and Workload
Questions for the students?

24. Graduate Programs at SDSU
School Counseling Program
2 year program full-time
School Psychology Program
4 years full-time (4th year is internship)

25. For More Information On SDSU’s School Counseling Program:
Website:
Graduate Assistant
Trish Hatch, PhD, Director
Beverly Booker, PhD, Director

26. Closure
Questions???
Thank you for coming and good luck!