School counseling can be a rewarding career, as the role involves working with families—and in particular, students—to improve their academic lives and support their emotional health. They might perform assessments to determine what is affecting a student’s academic performance or what might be causing certain behavioral issues. Additionally, school counselors may provide families with referrals to resources for needed services. They can also create and teach school students and staff about specific and relevant topics. Day-to-day job duties may also involve certain record maintenance and other paperwork.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the job outlook for school counselors in the United States is projected to grow 10% over the next decade, which is faster than average for all occupations. Additionally, the median annual wage for school counselors in the US is $60,510 as of May 2021 (when the data was last available). The benefit of pursuing a counseling career in California is that the state is known for having some of the highest wages in the USA, as well as many diverse areas to live in, so there are many options where one can pursue their counseling career.

To become a school counselor in California, one must earn a master’s degree. Additionally, they must also earn their California Pupil Personnel Services Credential. This is a requirement for employment at an elementary, middle, or high school in California. The list in this article provides an overview of schools in California that offer a master’s degree in school counseling and typically a CPPS credential as well.

CSU East Bay – Master of Science in Counseling (School Counseling option)

The MS in Counseling at Cal State East Bay takes about two years of full-time study to complete, which includes summer courses. This program prepares students to earn the Pupil Personnel Services Credential in School Counseling. The MS in Counseling program has 60 units in total. They are offered in a hybrid format, taking place during the afternoon and evening hours. To be recommended for the credential, the student must have completed all the required coursework and fieldwork in the program. Students are required to complete 900 Pupil Personnel Service hours, per the university website.

Tuition Estimate: $15,557 per year

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CSU Northridge – Master of Science in Counseling (School Counseling option)

The MS in counseling at CSU Northridge is a full-time program that takes three years to complete. The program involves clinical coursework and fieldwork that will prepare students to sit for the California licensing exam to become professional clinical counselors if they so choose. The program is approximately 72 units total, with six units of fieldwork that are completed in the final year as well as a thesis or graduate project.

Tuition Estimate: $25,545 total

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San Diego State University – Master of Science in Counseling (School Counseling specialization)

The goal of SDSU is to educate students who are advocates for students and leaders who can guide systemic change. The MS in Counseling program at SDSU is a 64-unit program that can be completed in two years of full-time study. The program also includes the California Pupil Personnel Services credential. Students take classes on campus one day per week at minimum in their first year of the program, and two days per week in their second year.

Tuition Estimate: $15,000 per 30 units

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University of San Diego – Master of Arts in Counseling (School Counseling specialization)

The MA in Counseling at the University of San Diego offers a school counseling specialization. The program prepares students to become eligible for the California PPS Credential. This program takes two years to complete and consists of 60 units within the chosen specialization. Additionally, students are required to complete 600 clinical hours, with 240 of those hours in direct service to students. This fieldwork will be completed in the final year of the program.

Tuition Estimate: $1,602 per unit

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CSU Sacramento – Master of Science in Counseling (School Counseling concentration)

The school counseling program at CSU Sacramento is 60 units and involves a 100-hour clinical practicum along with a 600-hour field experience requirement. The program takes three years of full-time study to complete. Individuals who enroll in this course will be educated on topics that will allow them to potentially earn the PPS-SC credential. They will also qualify to test for licensure to become a Professional Clinical Counselor upon completion of the program.

Tuition Estimate: $4,518

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Azusa Pacific University – Master of Arts in Education: Educational Counseling

The Educational Counseling program at APU requires students to complete 50 program units to earn the degree. The program takes place at the main Azusa campus as well as the Murrieta campus. The program is accredited by the National Association of School Psychologists and California’s Commission on Teacher Credentialing. They also hold several other accreditations.

Tuition Estimate: $813 per unit

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Fresno State University – Master of Science in Counseling (School Counseling option)

The MS in Counseling program at Fresno State University is 48 units long and includes the Pupil Personnel Services Credential. The counseling program is designed for students who want to become counselors for students ranging from Kindergarten through 12th grade. Students will take general core counseling courses that are equivalent to about 25–28 total units, then take about 16 units of electives. They will also engage in clinical fieldwork.

Tuition Estimate: $3,588 per semester

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University of San Francisco – Master of Arts in School Counseling

The University of San Francisco’s MA in School Counseling program has seen a 99% job placement rate over the course of the last six years. The program is 49 units long and takes two years of full-time study to complete. There is the option to take the Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor licensure pathway, which is an additional 11 credits. The fieldwork requirement starts as soon as the program begins and is completed alongside the academic coursework.

Tuition Estimate: $1,615 per unit

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CSU Dominguez Hills – Master of Science in Counseling (School Counseling option)

The MS in Counseling at CSU Dominguez Hills is 51 units. The fieldwork requirement is six of these units. Students have the option to add a College Counseling certificate to their credentials in this program, which would add about three courses to the schedule to be completed for a total of about nine additional units. Those who already have their master’s degree or those who are in the process can also earn their Pupil Personnel Services Credential in School Counseling at the university.

Tuition Estimate: $5,742

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CSU Bakersfield – Master of Science in Counseling (School Counseling concentration)

CSU Bakersfield offers a Master of Science in Counseling program with a School Counseling concentration. This degree program has 53 units and can be completed in about two and a half years of full-time study. Students will also complete 800 hours of fieldwork in one year. The courses are offered in the evenings after 5:00 p.m.

Tuition Estimate: $9,071

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Layola Marymount University – Master of Arts in School Counseling

The school counseling master’s degree program at Loyola Marymount University is 48 semester hours long. The program is designed for students who wish to become school counselors in private schools and K–12 public schools in California. Students are educated on the essentials of school counseling so they will become eligible for the Pupil Personnel Services credential. Courses that students take in this program include law and ethics, child development, counseling, crisis prevention, and much more. Students will also choose among 12 semesters of elective coursework.

Tuition Estimate: $1,457 per unit

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California Baptist University – Master of Science in School Counseling

The MS in School Counseling degree at CBU is a 48 unit program that takes about 2.5 years to complete. The program is designed to equip students with the skills to support future families and school personnel through their knowledge and expertise. This is done through a blend of theory and practical experience. Students will learn how to conduct consultations with parents and teachers to meet the needs of those they are counseling. The cohort model of the program allows for significant networking.

Tuition Estimate: $734 per unit + fees

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San Jose State University – Master of Arts in Counseling and Guidance

The MA in Counseling and Guidance at San Jose University is offered as a full-time or part-time option. The program is 63–66 units, depending on what options a student chooses; one can choose to earn the degree plus the PPS credential (63 units), or they can go on to also complete the Professional Clinical Counseling pre-licensure coursework to qualify for the California clinical exam to become a licensed clinical counselor. Students are required to complete at least 600 hours (9 units) of fieldwork to graduate.

Tuition Estimate: $495 per unit plus fees

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Sonoma State University – Master of Arts in Counseling (School Counseling specialization)

The MA in Counseling program at Sonoma State University comprises 60 units, 41 of which are School Counseling coursework and 19 of which are core course requirements. The program can be completed within a minimum of two years. Students will also need to complete 800 hours of fieldwork: 200 hours for each grade level that a future counselor will be working with, including elementary, middle, and high school.

Tuition Estimate: $12,590 per year

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San Francisco State University – Master of Science in Counseling (School Counseling specialization)

The MS in Counseling at San Francisco State University involves the completion of 60 units. The program builds students core counseling skills and then their school counseling skills through specific courses and fieldwork. Students must complete 800 clock hours in the field, 15 hours per week in various grade level school settings, and 200 hours at each setting in total. The program takes about two years to complete.

Tuition Estimate: $4,346 per semester

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Cal Lutheran University – Master of Science in Counseling and Pupil Personnel Services

The mission of Cal Lutheran involves the emphasis on inclusiveness and cultural competency so that students will graduate as leaders and advocates for those that they serve in the future. The MS in Counseling and Pupil Personnel Services at Cal Lutheran University is 48 units long and takes about 3 years to complete. Classes are offered in the evening, starting at about 4 p.m. Students in this program can also choose to add a specialization in Child Welfare and Attendance.

Tuition Estimate: $840 per credit

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CSU Stanislaus – Master of Arts in Counseling (Pupil Personnel Services credential)

The CSU Stanislaus Master of Arts in Counseling program offers a Pupil Personnel Services Credential that is intended for students who want to become counselors for individuals in kindergarten through 12th grade. This program is offered in person at the Turlock campus. The program takes about two to three years and has 58 units. Students will also complete their education in the field.

Tuition Estimate: $7,076 per year

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CSU San Bernardino – Master of Science in Counseling (School Counseling concentration)

The MS in Counseling at CSU San Bernardino is a 60-unit degree program. Students are required to complete 800 practice hours to apply the knowledge they gain in their academic courses and to gain face-to-face experience with those in K–12th grade that they will be serving in their future careers. The hours must be completed by working with at least two different levels: elementary, middle, and high school. The program is accredited by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing.

Tuition Estimate: $7,482

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University of La Verne – Masters of Science in Educational Counseling

The MS in Educational Counseling at the University of La Verne is offered at multiple locations throughout California. These locations include La Verne, Santa Clarita, Burbank, Bakersfield, and Irvine. The 55–71-uunit program takes 2-3.5 years to complete depending on if a student is taking the full-time or part-time program. The courses in the program are held at various times throughout the day including mornings, afternoons, and evenings to accommodate varying schedules. There are several concentrations within this degree program, including:

• Spanish Bilingual Bicultural Counseling
• Social Justice Higher Education
• School and Family Based Counseling

Tuition Estimate: $15,015 per year

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Online Master’s in Counseling Programs in California

There are many benefits for California residents to completing an online master’s in school counseling, including the fact that they could qualify for in-state tuition while receiving the perks of online learning. The following online master’s programs in school counseling are offered to both in-state and out-of-state students:

Concordia University Irvine – Master of Arts in Education (School Counseling emphasis)

The MA in Education at Concordia University Irvine offers a School Counseling emphasis. This program is 48 units long and takes about 26 months (or a little over two full-time years) to complete. Students can choose to enroll in the online or blended format of the program. The online version involves four synchronous and four asynchronous lessons. The blended program involves meeting face-to-face once a week during the 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 7th weeks, and in the other weeks, students will meet online.

Tuition Estimate: $665 per unit

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Point Loma Nazarene University – Masters in School Counseling

Point Loma Nazarene University’s school counseling program is offered in an online format and takes about 16–24 months in total. Students are required to complete 39–50 units to graduate. The length and number of units required depend on whether the student decides to take the Master of Arts or Master of Science program. This will also determine the total cost. Certain courses are offered online, but most are offered face-to-face on campus in the evening.

Tuition Estimate: $660 per unit

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University of Southern California – Master of Education in School Counseling

The masters of school counseling program at USC educates students by following the standards set by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA). This involves providing students knowledge and research skills in areas of psychology, sociology, education, philosophy, and more. The program requires that students complete a 600-hour internship and a 100-hour practicum. The program is offered entirely online. It takes about two years of full-time study to complete and two and a half to three years of studying part-time to complete.

Tuition Estimate: $2,233 per unit

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Fresno Pacific University – Master of Arts in School Counseling

The Master of Arts in School Counseling program at Fresno Pacific University requires students to complete a minimum of 50 units as well as 800 clinical hours of experience. The classes are offered synchronously through an online format. Students receive their education both in the classroom and by applying what they have learned in the field. The online format allows students to complete the degree program while also fulfilling other obligations they may have. The program boasts small class sizes, so students receive an intimate experience and more opportunities to reach out for help if they need it.

Tuition Estimate: $750 per unit