You are in the official 1996-97 General Catalog
for California State University, Fresno.
Education - Counseling and Special Education
School of Education and Human Development
Department of Counseling and Special Education
H. DAN SMITH, Chair
Education Building, Room 350
(559) 278-0340
Department of Counseling and Special Education
H. DAN SMITH, Chair
Education Building, Room 350
(559) 278-0340
Counseling and Student Services Option
Pupil Personnel Services Credential
M.S. in Counseling
Marriage, Family and Child Counseling Option
M.S. in Rehabilitation Counseling
M.A. in Special Education
Credential programs:
Special Education Specialist
Learning Handicapped
Severely Handicapped
Special Education Specialist Internship
Learning Handicapped
Severely Handicapped
The Department of Counseling and Special Education offers programs and master's degrees in the areas of counseling, rehabilitation counseling, and special education. The programs utilize the services and facilities of community agencies and school districts within the university service area. Instruction in all programs in the department emphasizes the development and refinement of the "Reflective, Collaborative Leader" who will make a difference in our increasingly diverse society. Counseling. Three master's degrees are available in the field of counseling: the Master of Arts in Education with an option in counseling and student services; the Master of Science in Counseling with an option in marriage, family and child counseling; and the Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling. The M.A. degree in Education is a 30-unit program for individuals seeking advanced preparation for careers in school counseling (grades K-12) or student services in higher education. The M.S. in Counseling degree is a 60-unit program designed for persons who desire professional preparation for the practice of marriage, family and child counseling in agency or private settings. The M.S. in Rehabilitation Counseling is a 60-unit program designed for persons who desire professional preparation to work in agency or private settings assisting those who are physically, mentally, or emotionally disabled to reach optimal occupational, personal, and social adjustment. The Pupil Personnel Services Credential Program is a 38-unit program that provides preparation for individuals who desire to function as school counselors in grades K-12.
Special Education. The Master of Arts in Special Education is awarded after completion of a minimum of 30 units. This degree provides opportunities for the development of special skills needed for the teaching of special populations including the learning handicapped and the severely handicapped. The Special Education Program provides preparation for teaching of learning handicapped and severely handicapped students. Persons desiring to work with these unique populations in a school setting (grades K-12) must possess the appropriate Special Education Specialist Credential. The desired specialist credential may be attained by completing one of three program alternatives: a traditional program, an innovative internship program, or a unique program whereby students may attain their Multiple Subject Credential along with the Special Education Specialist Credential. For additional information on the alternative programs, students are urged to inquire at the department office.
Career Opportunities
Completion of the Pupil Personnel Services Credential and the M.A. in Education
with an option in counseling and student services qualifies graduates to
work in a public school setting or at the community college or university
level in the areas of counseling and student services. Completion of the
M.S. in Counseling with an option in marriage, family and child counseling
may qualify graduates for employment in private or agency counseling practices,
county mental health programs, employee assistance programs, drug and alcohol
abuse centers, and hospital mental health settings. The M.S. in Counseling
with an option in marriage, family and child counseling may fulfill the
educational requirements for the state of California Marriage, Family and
Child Counselor License. Since this program is accredited by the Council
for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP),
MFCC students are qualified to take the National Certified Counselor Exam
upon graduation. This national examination is being used as the written
portion of the professional counselor licensing process in more than 35
states. Persons completing the M.S. in Rehabilitation Counseling may become
employed in a variety of work settings including state and federal vocational
rehabilitation programs, sheltered workshops, medical rehabilitation centers,
private practice, drug and alcohol abuse rehabilitation programs, county
and private mental health programs, community college and university disabled
student programs, industry alcohol/industrial accident/employee assistance
programs, and insurance company rehabilitation programs. Students in the
M.S. in Rehabilitation Counseling program may, during their final semester
of study, qualify to take the exam to become a Certified Rehabilitation
Counselor (CRC). Persons completing the M.A. in Special Education and a
Special Education Specialist Credential may seek employment in public or
private school programs, clinics, special schools, resource classrooms,
educational programs, residential facilities, hospitals, and other agencies
serving persons with special needs. 
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