NOTE: For information on the PPS in School Counseling, contact the Department of Counselor Education & Rehabilitation at (559) 278-0340
The Pupil Personnel Services: Counselor Education Intern Credential Program This position shall be for at least one semester. The intern is supervised by both the University Counselor Education faculty and the school district of employment, while continuing the required PPS credential coursework. Description of the Pupil Personnel Service Credential Program/California Commission on Teacher Credentialing: The Credential covers pre-kindergarten through 12th grade service in public and other schools requiring the credential. The PPS Credential authorizes the holder to be employed in the State of California in positions requiring such certification. This degree meets the educational requirements for becoming a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) in the State of California. The 57-unit Pupil Personnel Services, School Counseling Credential prepares professional counselors to work within the K-12 educational system.
The PPS Credential Program in school social work (SSW) and child welfare and attendance (CWA) at Fresno State is part of the Master of Social Work (MSW) degree program. This credential authorizes the holder to provide school social work and child welfare and attendance services as an employee of a K-12 public school in the state of California. The PPS program in SSW and CWA at Fresno State is not available as an 'add on' program to another degree and is also not available as a post-graduate option for those with an MSW or another Master's degree.
The MSW is a 60 unit program designed to educate advanced social work practitioners who can meet complex client needs within a diversity of public and private human services settings and who can provide services to multiple client systems using a variety of social work practice approaches. As part of the M.S.W. program, students may elect to specialize in school social work practice and child welfare and attendance to meet the requirements for the PPS credential.
The PPS credential program prepares social workers to 'perform services to children, parents, school personnel and community agencies to promote a school environment responsive to the needs of children and to plan educational programs which will prepare children and to plan educational programs which will prepare children to function in a culturally diversified society' (CA Ed Code 44046). The program is designed to maximize the integration of theory and classroom knowledge with field instructed practice in the schools. This curriculum model ensures that students experience the breadth and depth necessary to be prepared for social work practice in the public schools.
Students interested in the PPS program will first need to apply and be admitted to the MSW program at Fresno State. Coursework and internship specific to the PPS credential are completed in the second year of the full-time MSW program. The Department of Social Work Education, in conjunction with the Kremen School of Education and Human Development, recommends candidates for a PPS credential who have met all of the requirements of the M.S.W. and PPS credential programs.
The University Internship Pupil Personnel Services in School Counseling credential program allows students who meet the requirements to begin service as a “paid” school counselor in their sponsoring district while completing their formal coursework preparation. Students who qualify as a university intern may begin the program upon starting a school counseling position, either at the beginning of their program or while currently enrolled in the regular pupil personnel services credential program. Intern students participate in the standard coursework and internship coursework. National University students who are interested in becoming a university intern must complete and show verification of all prerequisite requirements.
For additional information on credential requirements, please see the Sanford College of Education Credential Information section of the catalog.
This program is aligned with national standards and prepares candidates for the position of school counselor. Graduates of this program generally seek employment as school counselors in P-12 school districts and must hold a PPSC credential for public school employment.
Candidates enrolled in the degree and credential program are not awarded the master’s degree until they have completed all coursework and have successfully completed the ETS PRAXIS-School Counseling exam. All coursework must be completed prior to the Preliminary PPSC credential recommendation. Course equivalence cannot be granted for life experiences.
Program Advisement
All PPSC candidates will be assigned a faculty advisor. Candidates will meet with a faculty advisor for evaluation of prior coursework to meet program prerequisites. Only CED 607 and prerequisites can be taken prior to admission.
All candidates are expected to meet with their assigned faculty advisor at the following times: (1) upon admission into the program, (2) after five classes, (3) before starting their internship hours, and (4) at the completion of internship hours.
California Pupil Personnel Services Credential Programs California
Program Prerequisites
All candidates for the intern program must have a minimum GPA of 3.0. All candidates must possess an appropriate Master’s Degree or be in enrolled in the Master of Science in Educational Counseling program and meet the standard internship requirements. Verification of two years relevant paid experience in a P-12 public school or related system or as a licensed counselor or therapist. Letter of recommendation from the Principal or Administrator of the hiring school. Completion of an American School Counseling Association (ASCA) National Model essay. Recommendation by Faculty Advisor.
Exit Requirements
In order to receive a Preliminary PPSC credential, candidates must complete all courses and internship within seven years and fulfill the following requirements:
Successful completion of all coursework, portfolio, practicum and internship. Successful completion of the ETS Praxis (#0421 or #5421) examination in Professional School Counseling (passage score is 146 out of 200). Submission of written evaluations of performance in internship experiences by Site Supervisor to University Supervisor. Complete Program Evaluation Form-School Counseling. Schedule an exit appointment with Credential Program Specialist for final clearance and credential documents. Have a zero account balance.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Appraise and address relevant social and diversity concerns and crises of individuals and groups of students.
- Distinguish among major developmental theories (personality, social, physical, emotional, and cognitive development) and chronological stages of life-long human development and their impact on school behavior and learning.
- Develop and evaluate comprehensive guidance programs based on relevant data.
- Implement individual counseling skills and techniques to help students cope with personal and interpersonal problems appreciating the diversity of each student.
- Implement group counseling skills and techniques to help students cope with personal and interpersonal problems appreciating the diversity of each student.
- Integrate positive consultative and collaborative skills and techniques in communication with school staff, parents, and community agencies in order to support candidate academic, career, and personal/social success.
- Evaluate legal mandates affecting education and school counseling and apply appropriate legal and ethical standards and practices to specific counseling situations.
- Advocate academic success for all preK-16 students by employing appropriate standardized and non-standardized group and individual educational and psychological assessment data and data driven educational decisions/interventions.
- Integrate computer technology relevant to the tasks and roles of a school counselor.
- Construct curriculum for diverse classrooms and classroom interventions strategies based on learning theory.
- Perform as professional school counselors and professional leaders reflecting the history and trends of the profession to enhance the field of school counseling.
- Propose career based programs and interventions based on career development theories, and the impact of career development on school behavior and learning.
- Interpret findings of social science research, developed and implement by the student, to professional practice.
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