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School Psychology & Counseling
Career Opportunities
Careers in these areas include the following:
- Behavioral Analysts (Board Certified)
- School Counselors (PPS in School Counseling)
- School Psychologists (PPS in School Psycholoogy)
- Educational Psychologist (BBS Licensure)
- Professional Clinical Counselors (BBS Licensure)
- Marriage and Family Therapists (BBS Licensure)
- Sports Psychologist
- Researchers
Degree Programs MA
This is an elective program, which may stand alone as a M.A. in Counseling degree (with an option to work towards becoming a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor) or be used to work towards an Ed.S. in School Psychology and fulfill the first year of this two year program (with an option to work towards becoming a School Psychologist with a PPS Credential in School Psychology). If wanting to work towards a PPS in School Counseling at the master’s level, the University has a collaboration with the University of California at Riverside (i.e., the extension program) to assist in this process. This report discusses just the M.A. in Counseling as a stand-alone degree. Read more.
This is a M.A. in Counseling degree with an option to work towards becoming a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) through the Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS). Read more.
Overview
A one-year, full-time (part-time optional), 51 quarter-credit-hour program. MA-Counseling in Forensic Mental Health Counseling is for students who wish to provide mental health services in forensic or legal settings. The program provides the foundation for the California Professional Clinical Counseling (LPCC) with additional courses (18 Units + 33 Practicum Units).
Aim of Program
Training professional counselors who assess, treat, and apply counseling in forensic, juvenile, and correctional settings; providing students with knowledge and skills for culturally relevant clinical diagnosis and treatment.
FIRST YEAR (51 Required for MA Degree)
MA Core (9 units):
RSCH 504 Methods and Materials of Research (3)
EDCI 512 Perspectives in Faith and Learning (3)
EDAD 524 Organization & Leadership (3
Counseling & Mental Health Courses (24 Units):
EDPC 561 Counseling Theory & Technique (3)
EDPC 573 Psychology & Counseling Ethics& Law (3
EDPC 694 Individual & Cultural Differences (3)
EDPC 564 Group Theory and Procedures (3)
EDPC 666 Intervention Methods & Consultation (3)
EDPC 562 Counseling Practicum (3)
Forensic/Correctional Counseling Specialization Courses (18 Units)
EDPC 511 Mental Health and Counseling in Legal System (3)
EDPC 512 Psychology of Criminal Behavior (3)
EDPC 607 Dynamics of Personality (3)
EDPC 610 Human Sexuality (3)
EDPC 615 Child, Partner & Elder Abuse and Trauma (3)
EDPC 655 Advanced Counseling Theories (3)
EDPC 715 Alcohol & Drugs (3)
EDPC 631 Psychopathology (3)
SECOND YEAR FOR LPCC (51; Optional - Required for LPCC)
Content-based Courses (18 Units)
EDPC 504 Standardized Testing & Evaluation (3)
EDPC 524 Lifespan Development (3)
EDPC 554 Educations and Career Planning (3)
EDPC 620 Marriage Family Systems Intervention I (3)
EDPC 621 Marriage Family Systems Intervention II (3)
EDPC 645 Psychopharmacology (3)
Practicum Courses for LPCC Clinical License (33 units)
EDPC 562 Counseling Practicum (6)
Mental Health Practicum & Fieldwork Courses (27)
The Association for Behavior Analysis International has verified the following courses in the BCBA program toward the coursework requirements for eligibility to take the Board Certified Behavior Analyst or Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst examination. Applicants will need to meet additional requirements before they can be deemed eligibile to take the examination.
Degree Programs EDS, EDD, & PHD
This is an elective program, which will assist a person in working towards becoming a researcher and/or teacher at higher educational and research institutions. Read more.
This is an elective program, which will assist a person in working towards becoming a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) through the Board of Behavioral Sciences in California. Read more.
This is an elective program, which will give a person on option on becoming a credentialed school psychologist through the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC). Read more.
This is an elective program, which will give a person on option on becoming a credentialed school psychologist through the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTS) as well as a credentialed behavioral analyst through the Behavioral Analyst Certification Board (BACB). Read more.
Credential Program PPS
This program provides the courses required by the state of California for the PPS Credential with an authorization in school psychology.
Read more.
Certifications, Credentials, & Licensures
Our programs meet the requirements to pursue one board certification (behavioral analysis), two PPS credentials (school counseling and school psychology), and two licensures (professional clinical counseling & marraige and family therapy).
Amazing Flexibility Regarding Degrees
Already have a master's degree? No problem. We can fold many of the specializations noted above into even more advanced degrees such as EdS or an EdD degree. This gives you more options than having two master degrees.
Generous Graduate Course Transfer Policy
If your previous graduate coursework is not outdated, courses are a direct match with ours, and your courses are encapsulated within another graduate degree, we can almost always accept those transfers with rare exceptions. Even if not encapsulated within another degree, it still may be possible to take in three graduate coruses per degree.
Increased Marketability in a Competitive Market
The courses between the programs overlap considerably. Want to be able to work towards obtaining two licenses? The coursework for professional clinical counseling and marriagea and family therapy are identical. Take a few more classes and add a school counseling specialization to a professional clinical counselor or marriage and family emphasis.
La Sierra University was much different than previous graduate programs and colleges I had attended. My time spent at La Sierra University gave me more than professional success; it added personal fulfillment and growth."
Paige Sautner, ED.S., School Psychology
Contact US
School Pyschology, School Counseling & BCBA
Mental Health: LMFT/LPCC
Sports Psychology
Office hours
11:00AM-6:00PM
Monday - Thursday
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Career Advising
We want you to find a good job after you finish your degree at La Sierra. The Career Services, located in the Office of Academic & Career Services, is prepared to guide you through your job search process.