Counseling M.A.

Suzanne Whitehead, Ed.D., Program Coordinator

Office: DBH 345
Phone: (209) 667-3955 or 3364

The Master of Arts in Counseling, is intended for those who wish to provide counseling in a variety of settings such as the substance abuse field, working with foster children, counseling/advising in higher education settings, working with the homeless, or numerous other counseling-related positions that require an Master’s degree.  It is also available as a combined program with the Pupil Personnel Services Credential , or with the Professional Clinical Counselor option .

Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission to the M.A. Counseling, applicants must:

1. Possess a baccalaureate degree.
2. Be admitted to the University with a GPA of at least 3.0 for the last 60 units earned.
3. Submit Application for First Interview form with payment receipt to the Advanced Studies in Education office (DBH 348). The application for the First Interview indicates that you must submit a written statement indicating suitability for the Stanislaus State Counselor Education Program and future work as a counselor. This document will not only be used to ascertain a candidate’s fit within the program, but will also be used as a measure of writing proficiency.
4. Pay program application fee at Cashier’s Office.
5. Submit a Certificate of Clearance (or valid California Teaching/Service Credential or Substitute Permit) with Application for First Interview.
6. Send the provided link to two people to fill out a reference form. 
7. Successfully complete First Interview.

 General Information

1. Coursework Requirements - Students must be fully admitted to program prior to taking any Counseling coursework.
2. Graduate Requirements - The minimum academic grade point average for earning the M.A. degree is 3.0. The minimum acceptable grade for courses included in the M.A. program is a “C.” A student who earns a grade of “C” or below may be put on probation if their GPA falls below the required 3.0. Earning a second grade of “C” or below may lead to disqualification and removal from program and will be reviewed by the program coordinator on a case-by-case basis.
3. Final Requirements - The M.A. in Counseling degree requires the successful completion of all coursework and passing a Comprehensive Exam, or approval of a written thesis, and passing of an oral thesis defense. After all requirements have been met, the student will be awarded the M.A. degree.
4. Class Scheduling - Courses are scheduled in the late afternoon and evening to enable employed individuals to enroll in classes. Early registration is strongly recommended.
5. Coursework - Coursework expires seven years from completion and cannot be applied toward the Master’s degree. One-third of units may be revalidated if less than 10 years old. This applies to all Master’s degree options: thesis or comprehensive examination.