School Counseling Application

Please e-mail the Graduate Assistant at schoolga@yahoo.com if you have any questions or concerns.

Two separate applications are required for admission consideration.

1) The online SDSU Graduate admissions application (by December 15, 2011)

• You need to submit your graduate admission application online by
• You must submit one Official Transcript(s) from each institution attended and Test Scores to SDSU Graduate Admissions
• SDSU Graduate Admissions FAQ's

2) The electronic School Counseling program application (by January 10, 2012)

School Counseling applications must include the following:

• One Transcript(s) from each university attended
• A copy of your GRE score(s)
• Please Note: You must have the GRE completed prior to applying for the School Counseling Program. Keep in mind, we do not have an absolute minimum score for the GRE.
• A copy of your CBEST results
• Three letters of recommendation
  • E-mail address are required
  • Provide names contact information
• Certificate of Clearance (see program application for more details)

Other important information:

• A small group interview of selected applicants will be held on March 10, 2012

Additional Information:

Graduate Record Exam (GRE) Information

California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST) Information

**Note: Out-of-state candidates can wait until they are admitted into the program to take the CBEST.

The candidate is strongly encouraged to have preparation and/or experience in the areas of psychology, anthropology, sociology, education, cultural studies and/or child development. This background facilitates a deeper understanding of some of the basic theoretical foundations which apply to the practice of school counseling.

If you are interested in pursuing other specializations (i.e., MFT/School Psychology) in addition to School Counseling, or if you wish to complete your first year of studies in the Community Based Block, you must complete separate applications to these programs as well.

In the first phase, each applicant is considered in the context of four primary questions:

• Does this person have the academic background and skills to succeed in our demanding graduate program?
• Does this person have sufficient knowledge of and experience with children, youth, and/or schools to predict professional commitment and development?
• Does this person have the depth and/or breadth of cultural knowledge or experiences needed for service providers in culturally diverse schools?
• Does this person have sufficient experience and desire to be a leader, advocate and systems change agent?

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 faculty.

All of the selected applicants come to campus on the same day for a lengthy series 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 and make recommendations for admissions to the Department faculty as a whole. The final admissions decision is made by Graduate Admissions. Admissions decisions are made shortly after the interviews; however, it takes at least two to four weeks before letters are sent to applicants.

This admissions process has resulted in a diverse student body: diversity essential to the process of learning to provide school counseling services to a diverse population. The School Counseling Program seeks and encourages a variety of applicants with respect to culture, ethnicity, gender, age, academic background and experience.

*Dates and times are subject to change.