COUNSELOR EDUCATION APPLICANT INFORMATION SESSION

Thursday, October 11, 2018 6:30-8:00 p.m.Mendocino Hall 1005

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Introduction

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AgendaI. Application Process

A. Overview B. University Requirements

C. Program Requirements

D. Timeline

E. Following Admission

II. Student Counseling Society

III. Q&A

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Application Process

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Overview

Overview of Application Process1. Complete the Graduate School application through https://www2.calstate.edu/apply.2. You will receive a confirmation email from the Office of Graduate Studies (OGS) with your

Sac State Student ID number and instructions for setting up your Saclink Account.a. This process can take up to two weeks; allow time to ensure that all of your application

materials are submitted by the deadline. b. Please make sure that your email provider is set up to accept CSUS.edu emails.

3. Send official transcripts directly to OGS.4. Submit your supplemental application and supporting documents to the link at the end of

“Supplemental Application Instructions” file a. Applications are available online through a link on the College of Education website

(http://www.csus.edu/coe/apply/graduate.html)5. Initiate the recommendation letter process online:

https://csus.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bdea5eHcN2HIWixa. Complete two forms – one for each reference

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TWO Applications Needed! 1. University Application

a. Completed online at least two weeks prior to supplemental application: Friday, December 21, 2018

b. Official transcripts submitted directly to the Office of Graduate Studies no later than December 21, 2018

2. Program Supplemental Applicationa. Completed online: January 14, 2019

b. Initiate recommendation request form as early as possible to give enough time for your references to submit their letters electronically by deadline

Note: No applicant will be considered who does not submit both applications by the deadlines. No Exceptions!

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Application Process

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University Requirements

Application Process for the University

University Application Overview1. The Office of Graduate Studies (OGS) oversees the application/monitoring

process for all graduate students applying to CSUS (http://www.csus.edu/gradstudies)

2. OGS began accepting applications for Fall 2019 on October 1.3. OGS only accepts online applications via https://www2.calstate.edu/apply.4. The $55 application fee must be paid online at the time the application is

submitted. This fee is nonrefundable.

**You must apply through CSU Apply before you can upload your supplemental application materials.**

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Application Process for the UniversityCompleting the University Application

1. Select the “Face to Face” delivery format2. Select the program you are applying for

- Counseling (Career Counseling)

- Counseling (Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling)

- Counseling (School Counseling)

- Counseling (Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling)

3. If you are a returning M.S. Counseling graduate who is applying only for the PPS Credential program, be certain to select the PPS School Counseling as the program of study you are applying for

- ONLY returning graduates may apply to the PPS-only program

**You must apply through CSU Apply before you can upload your supplemental application materials.**

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Obtaining Official Transcripts

Non-Sac State Students

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• Applicants must provide official, sealed transcripts from every community college/ college/university attended, even if only ONE class was completed. Transcripts should be sent directly to the Office of Graduate Studies:

Office of Graduate Studies California State University, Sacramento6000 J StreetRiverfront Center, Room 215 Sacramento, CA 95819-6112

• Upload electronic unofficial transcript with their supplemental application by Monday, January 14, 2019.

Sac State Students

• You do not need to submit transcripts to OGS unless you attended another institution after graduating from Sac State.

• Sac State Students DO need to upload electronic unofficial transcript with their supplemental application by Monday, January 14, 2019.

Application ProcessProgram Supplemental Requirements

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Application Process for the Program

Program Supplemental Application

1. Must first complete the CSU Apply application and set up Saclink Account2. Applications are available online through a link on the College of Education website

(http://www.csus.edu/coe/apply/graduate.html)

Supplement Application Link is at the end of “Supplemental Application Instructions” file

1. Complete the supplemental application and upload supporting documents online2. Initiate recommendation letter process online

**Supplemental applications are due by January 14th. Incomplete applications will not be considered. **

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Checklist for Graduate and Professional Programs Supplemental Applications• Please do not begin the supplemental application until you have assembled all of

the supporting documents listed in the checklist

• You will not be able to “save” while completing the supplemental application

• You will not be able to go back to the supplemental application and add additional documents at a later time

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APPLICATION/SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS UPLOAD DOCUMENT AS A PDF AND NAME FILE

Résumé with Relevant Experience Document File Name: Résumé

Personal Statement Document File Name: Personal Statement

Essay Document File Name: Essay

Unofficial Transcripts* *Submit official transcripts to the Office of Graduate Studies

Document File Name: Unofficial Transcripts

CBEST (School counseling only) *Submit CBEST score report or evidence of registration for the exam

Document File Name: CBEST Score Report Document File Name: CBEST Registration

Letters of Recommendation (2) Request confidential references using the Reference link in the application. **You will receive a confirmation email once your reference has submitted a letter**

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Résumé with Relevant Experience

• Experience (paid or volunteer) related to counseling is required to be considered for admission.

• Experience is evaluated on frequency, currency, and relevance to the field.

• Experience should be with diverse populations and clearly relevant to the counseling.

• Examples of possible experiences include:

• teaching, coaching, instructional aide, tutoring, after school program, Peace Corps, camp counseling, child/youth recreational programs, group home counseling, crisis hotline counseling, ABA therapy, program coordination, childcare center, etc.

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Personal Statement

• Applicants will submit a personal statement that should be no more than two pages typed (double-spaced, size 12 point font).

• The personal statement should address:

a. The experiences or factors that have led to your decision to apply for the Counselor Education program

b.The characteristics you believe you possess that will enable you to succeed in the program

c. Your professional interests

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Essay

• Applicants will submit a written response to an essay question. Written responses should be no more than one page typed (double-spaced, size 12 point font).

• Essay prompt:

Please describe your experience in working with, serving, or socially engaging with diverse persons or populations. Please summarize your assessment of the quality, quantity, and nature of these experiences. Summarize your strengths and challenges in these relationships, as well as the strengths and challenges of diverse others in forging a relationship with you.

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Obtaining Unofficial Transcripts

• All applicants will submit one set of unofficial transcripts from all community colleges, colleges, and universities attended (including any colleges you are currently attending) with their supplemental application.

• This set of unofficial transcripts does NOT replace the official transcripts required to process your CSU Application for Graduate School Admission (CSU Apply).

• GPA REQUIREMENT: Applicants who do not satisfy the GPA requirements will not be considered for admission.

• In order to be considered for admission into the following graduate and professional programs, applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the last 60 semester or 90 quarter units completed.

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School Counseling Specialization ONLY

• The CBEST is required for all California teaching credentials (including the PPS Credential).

• Upload your score report or evidence of registration for the exam.

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Letters of Recommendation (2)

• All applicants need to request two letters of recommendation.

• You will initiate the recommendation request process through the Reference Request Form.

• A separate request form will need to be submitted for each reference.

• After you initiate the request for a recommendation, your reference will receive a confidential link to use to upload their confidential letter.

• It is recommended that one of the references be from a person who has observed the applicant’s graduate-level academic potential (e.g., current or former instructor) and the other reference from a person who has observed the applicant’s relevant experience in diverse settings (e.g., supervisor).

• All letters of recommendation must be received by the application deadline in order for an application to be considered.

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Application ProcessTimeline

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Timeline

1. Screening (late January-early February)a. Conducted by Counselor Education full-time facultyb. Review application packet for specific desired criteria

1. Interview (mid-February)a. Conducted by Counselor Education full-time faculty, part-time faculty, and a

selected group of third-year studentsb. Assess for specific desired criteria and goodness of fit for programc. Writing Sample

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Notification

• You will receive an email from OGS stating whether you were accepted or denied admission to the program

• This process can take several weeks• OGS often admits students on a rolling basis, so some people will receive notification

prior to others

*Notify OGS of any changes to your contact information*

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Application ProcessFollowing Admission

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Following Admission

• All students accepted into the program for Fall 2019 will be expected to attend a mandatory orientation in August.

• Students will follow the Cohort 9 Sequence of classes for registration. This will be emailed to all students accepted for admission in late spring.

• Registration for new students generally occurs in June.

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Student Counseling Society• Who are we?

• Main club on campus for M.S. Counseling for prospective, current and future students

• What do we do?• Hold fundraising, fun, and mixer events throughout the year• Upcoming Events:

• Homecoming Tailgate BBQ• LPCC Workshop & Dinner• End of Semester Potluck & White Elephant Gift Exchange

• Peer Mentorship Program • How do you contact us?

• Email: CSUS.studentcounselingsociety@gmail.com• Facebook: “CSUS Student Counseling Society”• Instagram: @csus.studentcounselingsociety

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Q&A

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