Counseling
LMU offers flexible graduate program options in counselor preparation in Guidance and Counseling, School Counseling with PPS Credential, and Counseling with Mental Health Specialization with available LPCC and/or PPS certification.
Read MoreProgram Overview
LMU’s counseling programs prepare you to succeed as a counselor in diverse educational, community, private, and non-profit settings. Designed with a commitment to multicultural affirmation, social justice, and cura personalis (care for the whole person), our programs are accredited by organizations such as the California Board of Behavioral Sciences, the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, and the WASC Senior College and Universities Commission.
Graduates of our program are eligible for the following:
- Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) authorization for the M.A. in Counseling, upon completion of 3,000 supervised hours post-graduation
- Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) credential for the M.A. in School Counseling, or the M.A. in Counseling with School Counseling specialization
- Students who have or earn a PPS credential are eligible to take an additional three courses to receive the Child Welfare and Attendance Authorization (CWA). Read more about this standalone program.
Choose Your Own Path
Our counseling program features specialty tracks that are tailored to your career goals. From day one we’ll prepare you to get the job you want in the counseling field of your choice, including any licensure and credentialing requirements. Graduates of our counseling programs have found fulfillment and success working at K-12 schools, colleges and universities, community health clinics, private practice, and many other settings. Our admission counselors can guide you toward the specialty track that's right for you.
Program Details
Degree(s) Awarded
Choose from one of three tracks:
- Master of Arts (M.A.) in Counseling, with Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) Eligibility. (Candidates can also opt to be eligible for a Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) Credential via this track.)
- Master of Arts (M.A.) in School Counseling, with Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) Credential
- Master of Arts (M.A.) in Guidance Counseling
Cohort Program?
No
Typical Program Length
Two to three years; varies based on program units
- For M.A. in Counseling/LPCC track: 60 course units, 600 hours internship
- For M.A. in Counseling/LPCC track with PPS credential: 60 course units, 800 hours internship
- For M.A. in School Counseling/PPS track: 48 course units, 800 hours internship
- For M.A. in Guidance and Counseling: 41 course units, 200 hours internship
Estimated Cost
$1,632 per unit plus fees; visit Graduate Cost of Attendance for more details
Teaching Modality
Varies by course and program. The majority of courses are hybrid (a mix of in-person and online instruction), but some courses are in-person and some are fully online.
Course Meeting Times
Weekdays in late afternoons and evenings
Upcoming Application Deadlines
- November 15 (for spring start)
- March 15 (for summer I start)
- June 15 (for fall start)
Upcoming Program Start Dates
- Spring 2025 (January)
- Summer I 2025 (May)
- Fall 2025 (August)
Admission
Prerequisites
- Successful candidates for admission have majored or minored in psychology, child development, education, or a closely related field as undergraduates.
- A cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0, a GPA of 3.05 in the last 60 semester units (90 quarter units) of undergraduate studies, or a 3.0 GPA in 9 units of graduate work.
Process
- Our online application can be started at any time. You will need:
- A personal statement of intent
- A resume
- An official transcript from each previously attended college or university
- Two letters of recommendation
- A California Certificate of Clearance
- Initially qualified applicants participate in a group interview
Scholarships
Students participating in a program leading to a California pupil personnel services credential, or the CWA pupil personnel services add-on credential authorization, might be eligible to apply to the Golden State Teacher Grant (GSTG) Program. Eligibility and awarding for new 2025-26 applicants will be dependent on the state budget. See the GSTG website for more details.
LMU School of Education’s scholarships summary page lists other potential scholarships and funding opportunities for paying for your education, including scholarships for graduates of LMU Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts. Please make note of all deadlines for scholarship applications, which may occur before an admission application deadline.
Scholarships are awarded to applicants based on academic achievement, demonstrated dedication to LMU’s mission, and other factors.
Financial Aid
LMU’s Financial Aid office provides information regarding various types of state and federal financial aid and financing options to cover tuition and fees. Visit their website for further options and details on Graduate Student Financial Aid, Cost of Living, and other valuable resources. Applicants eligible to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) are required to do so for consideration of financial assistance. Qualified students may visit LMU’s resource page or California DREAM Act aid and assistance.
Our Alumni
From the Program Director
Thank you for your interest in LMU School of Education’s Counseling programs! We are proud of our history of attracting local, national, and international students whose talent and affinity for helping others is deepened through their experiences with us.
Counselors play a critical role in supporting human health and well-being. They support mental health, address social-emotional needs, suggest pathways for academic and career success, and offer resources to students and other clients to help them acquire coping skills for challenges they may face. As a counselor, you‘ll have many career options and potential employers at your fingertips.
I encourage you to tour LMU’s campus (in person or online), meet with an admission counselor, and request detailed information about our program.
Sincerely,
Sheri Castro-Atwater, Ph.D.
Professor and Director, Counseling Programs
Learning Outcomes
LMU’s Counseling programs are tailored to the clients whom candidates will support during their careers, whether PK-12 students, students at higher education institutions, or adults and families in community settings. In all three programs, you‘ll learn to:
- Apply effective counseling strategies to meet the diverse academic, professional, social, and emotional needs of students and other clients
- Provide both individual and group counseling for students and other clients, using appropriate theoretical approaches to address academic readiness, language proficiency, cultural background, and individual development
- Evaluate students and other clients using assessment measures based on the purpose of the measuring instrument and the identified counseling needs
- Implement prevention and intervention strategies for diverse students and other clients, based on research and program evaluations
Curriculum and Fieldwork
The curricula for LMU’s Counseling programs use evidence-based practices and align with the profession’s standards of care. Each track requires a different number of credit hours as well as fieldwork at schools, clinics, or other settings matched to your career goals.
Careers
There is a shortage of qualified counselors of all types across the country. The COVID pandemic underscored the need for counselors who can meet the rising demand for services, replace professionals who are retiring, and serve in rural and low-income areas, where mental health resources are often scarce. Depending on the licensure, credential, or authorization obtained with a master‘s degree, you can expect to find job opportunities with a variety of employers, including:
- PK-12 schools
- Colleges and universities
- Hospitals and health clinics
- Community and non-profit organizations
- Government agencies
- For-profit healthcare organizations
- Private practices
Take Your Next Step Today
Our team is always happy to assist you. You can reach out anytime by email or phone, fill out this form to request detailed information about the program, or book a virtual appointment with an admission counselor who can answer any questions you have.
soeinfo@lmu.edu
310.258.8791