School Counseling in California

Career descriptions

When looking into a counseling, the state of California has four areas in which you can look into: school counseling, school social work, school psychology, and school child welfare and attendance services. Each one has their own separate duties and authorizations.
  • School Counseling
    1. Develop, plan, implement, and evaluate a school counseling and guidance program that includes academic, career, personal, and social development.
    2. Advocate for the high academic achievement and social development of all students
    3. Provide school wide prevention and intervention strategies and counseling services
    4. Provide consultation, training, and staff development to teachers and parents regarding students' needs
    5. Supervise a district-approved advisory program as described in California Education Code
  • School Social Work
    1. Assess home, school, personal, and community factors that may affect a student's learning
    2. Identify and provide intervention strategies for children and their families, including counseling, case management, and crisis intervention
    3. Consult with teachers, administrators, and other school staff regarding social and emotional needs of students
    4. Coordinate family, school, and community resources on behalf of students
  • School Psychology
    1. Provide services that enhance academic performance
    2. Design strategies and programs to address problems of adjustment
    3. Consult with other educators and parents on issues of social development and behavioral and academic difficulties
    4. Conduct psycho-educational assessment for purposes of identifying special needs
    5. Provide psychological counseling for individuals, groups, and families
    6. Coordinate intervention strategies for management of individuals and school wide crises
  • School Child Welfare and Attendance
    1. Access appropriate services from both public and private providers, including law enforcement and social services
    2. Provide staff development to school personnel regarding state and federal laws pertaining to due process and child welfare and attendance laws
    3. Address school policies and procedures that inhibit academic success
    4. Implement strategies to improve student attendance
    5. Participate in schoolwide reform efforts
    6. Promote understanding and appreciation of those factors that affect the attendance of culturally-diverse student populations

Certification and Educational requirements

Each of the four areas has its own credential that you need to receive.
  • Requirements for the Clear Credential - Specialization in School Counseling
    1. A Bachelor’s degree or higher, except in professional education, from a regionally-accredited college or university
    2. Complete a post-graduate degree consisting of a minimum of 48 semester units in a Commission-approved professional preparation program specializing in school counseling, including a practicum with school-aged children
    3. Obtain the formal recommendation of a California college or university with a Commission-approved Pupil Personnel Services program specializing in school counseling. This process will result in the college or university submitting the recommendation online
    4. Complete the Basic Skills Requirement in one of four ways:
      • Pass the CBEST.
      • Pass the CSET: Multiple Subject Plus Writing Skills Examination.
      • Pass the CSU Early Assessment Program or the CSU Placement examinations.
      • Pass a Basic Skills Examination from another state.
    5. Complete the LiveScan fingerprint process
    6. Pay the application processing fee once the recommendation has been submitted online by the college or university. Individuals will be notified via e-mail that the application has been submitted and is awaiting payment in a secured database
  • Requirements for the Clear Credential with a Specialization in School Psychology
    1. A Bachelor’s degree or higher, except in professional education, from a regionally-accredited college or university
    2. Complete post baccalaureate degree study consisting of a minimum of 60 semester units in a California Commission-approved professional preparation program specializing in school psychology, including a practicum with school-aged children
    3. Obtain the formal recommendation of a California college or university with a Commission-approved Pupil Personnel Services program specializing in school counseling. This process will result in the college or university submitting the recommendation online
    4. Complete the Basic Skills Requirement in one of four ways:
      • Pass the CBEST.
      • Pass the CSET: Multiple Subject Plus Writing Skills Examination.
      • Pass the CSU Early Assessment Program or the CSU Placement examinations.
      • Pass a Basic Skills Examination from another state.
    5. Complete the LiveScan fingerprint process
    6. Pay the application processing fee once the recommendation has been submitted online by the college or university. Individuals will be notified via e-mail that the application has been submitted and is awaiting payment in a secured database.
  • Requirements for the Clear Credential – Specialization in Child Welfare and Attendance
    1. Complete a professional preparation program specializing in school counseling, school social work, or school psychology and a professional preparation program specializing in school child welfare and attendance services consisting of a minimum of 9 semester units including a practicum with school-aged children
    2. Obtain the formal recommendation of a California college or university with a Commission-approved Pupil Personnel Services program specializing in school counseling. This process will result in the college or university submitting the recommendation online.
    3. Complete the Basic Skills Requirement in one of four ways:
      • Pass the CBEST.
      • Pass the CSET: Multiple Subject Plus Writing Skills Examination.
      • Pass the CSU Early Assessment Program or the CSU Placement examinations.
      • Pass a Basic Skills Examination from another state.
    4. Complete the LiveScan fingerprint process
    5. Pay the application processing fee once the recommendation has been submitted online by the college or university. Individuals will be notified via e-mail that the application has been submitted and is awaiting payment in a secured database


Now that you are a professional becoming certified to be a Counselor in California, please explore our cooresponding masters degree programs. Browse Programs Here