Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) School Counseling Credential

If you are interested in being a credentialed elementary, middle, or high school counselor in California and you have earned a master's degree in Counseling and Guidance or a closely related field (e.g., Clinical Counseling, Counseling Psychology, or Social Work) from a regionally accredited college or university, you can apply directly to our Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) School Counseling Credential program [with or without an added Child Welfare and Attendance (CWA) Authorization]. Our PPS School Counseling Credential and CWA Authorization programs are accredited by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) - Pupil Personnel Services Credential for Individuals Prepared in California.

Please note that although there are three types of PPS Credentials (PPS in School Counseling, PPS in School Social Work, PPS in School Psychology), our department's is specifically a PPS Credential in School Counseling.

The San Jose State University's School of Social Work offers program options for the PPS in School Social Work. For more information, please go to School of Social Work PPSC Credentials.

If you have not earned a master's degree in Counseling and Guidance (or in Clinical Counseling, Counseling Psychology, or Social Work ), you need to apply via the MA in Counseling and Guidance program option and complete all requirements for both the master's degree and PPS School Counseling Credential.

If you are interested in learning more about the program options offered through SJSU's Counselor Education Department and their requirements, please sign up to attend a department information session. Information session dates and times can be found on the department's home page at https://www.sjsu.edu/counselored/

Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)

As a result of completing this program, students will:

1.  Design culturally sustaining prevention and intervention counseling programs within educational environments

2.  Model ethical and inclusive leadership skills that promote equity, social justice, and student success

3.  Apply effective and inclusive assessment practices within their work with school and community stakeholders

4. Create social, cultural, and educational interventions that support students’ academic advancement 

5.  Select and apply relevant research methods to conduct program evaluations, supported by effective technological applications

• Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) K-12 School Counseling Credential

  • The SJSU Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) K-12 School Counseling Credential qualifies individuals to work as school counselors in K-12 public schools in California. 

    According to the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing Pupil Personnel Services program Standards, 2015, the complex needs of today’s students emphasize the need for comprehensive counseling and guidance programs in schools.  The foundation of the school counseling profession contains knowledge and professional attitudes that promote student development, learning, and achievement. Future school counselors must have knowledge of the history as well as current trends in school counseling that is often achieved through active participation in professional organizations. They must also have knowledge of the laws and ethics of counseling specific to children in California schools.

    Effective school counseling is further supported by knowledge of state and national standards for school counseling and by familiarity with models of effective comprehensive school counseling and guidance programs. The goal of comprehensive school counseling and guidance programs is to increase student learning and achievement by promoting student development in three domains: academic development, career development, and personal and social development. School counselors must be knowledgeable of these domains and familiar with models of school counseling and guidance programs (e.g., Multi-Tiered Multi-Domain System of Support) that include desired student competencies and means of effectively attaining measurable student outcomes. It is essential that school counselors are skilled in the development, implementation, and delivery of comprehensive and developmental school counseling and guidance programs that effectively address each domain. 

    The school counseling profession is directed toward increasing students’ learning and achievement and focusing on enhancing the teaching and learning processes. School counselors work as leaders in the promotion of student learning and achievement.  They serve as advocates for equal opportunity and access to a quality education including support for high learning expectations and standards for all students. 

• Child Welfare and Attendance (CWA) Authorization

  • A Child Welfare and Attendance (CWA) specialization is a supplemental authorization that can be completed.

    According to the 2015 California CTC Pupil Personnel Services Program Standards, “Child Welfare and Attendance professionals are skilled ‘trouble-shooters’ in correcting Average Daily Attendance (ADA) ‘leaks.’ Concerns and problem areas can be targeted by examining attendance policies, procedures, records, and programs. Once problems are known pertinent solutions can be suggested. Because of the many fine points of law and procedures associated with building maximum levels of school attendance, the Child Welfare and Attendance specialist is needed to make corrective efforts. The CWA specialists usually access appropriate services from both public and private providers, including law enforcement and social services; provide staff development to school personnel regarding state and federal laws pertaining to due process and child welfare and attendance laws; address school policies and procedures that inhibit academic success; implement strategies to improve student attendance; participate in school-wide reform efforts; and promote understanding and appreciation of those factors that affect the attendance of culturally-diverse student populations.  CWA programs cover the professional role of CWA, laws pertaining to CWA, program leadership and management, collaboration and partnerships, school culture and related systems, assessment and evaluation of barriers to student learning, field experiences and supervision." (page 112)

• PPS Internship Credential

  • Students in good academic standing in the PPS K-12 School Counseling Credential program are eligible to apply for a PPS Internship Credential (valid for up to two years) if offered a school counseling position by a school district before completing all program requirements. To be eligible, a student must complete 15 units of coursework that includes EDCO 215, 218, 232, 244, and 294 with a 3.0 GPA or higher and meet the Basic Skills Requirement (BSR) [pdf]. One hundred (100) hours of approved practium  experience (typically completed as part of EDCO 218 and EDCO 294) must also be completed before a student can be recommended for a PPS Internship Credential. Once approved for a PPS Internship Credential, a student must register in EDCO 292 for every fall and spring semester in which they are employed under a PPS Internship Credential. The PPS Internship Credential is valid for up to two years.

    For guidance on how to meet the BSR through coursework and/or exams, please go to Guidance for meeting BSR through coursework/exams. [pdf] For more information, or to request a PPS Internship Credential application form to begin the process, contact the Counselor Education Department office at [email protected].

    The PPS School Counseling Internship Credential Application Checklist [pdf] can be found on the SJSU Credential Services website. 

Completing the Requirements for the PPS School Counseling Credential

Upon Admission

• Attend a Counselor Education Department New Student Orientation.
• Register in the program’s foundational courses via the one.SJSU portal.
• Add courses during the first week of classes if you miss your enrollment appointment.

Complete the Foundational Coursework / Requirements

• Contact the Department Office for your faculty advisor's contact information and schedule an advising appointment if necessary
• Submit verification that you have met (or plan to meet) the Basic Skills Requirement (BSR). Complete the Basic Skills Requirement Verification form [pdf] and email it to the SJSU Credentials Office at [email protected] and provide documentation to the Graduate Fieldwork Coordinator prior to starting your fieldwork.
• Complete the School Counseling Specialization Foundational Core Course Requirements - EDCO 215, 218, 227, 232, 244, 266, 282, & 294 - before taking Advanced Professional Development courses
• Complete 100 hours of school counseling practicum experience before beginning fieldwork experience (EDCO 292: Supervised Experience in Counseling)
• Apply for clearance before beginning fieldwork.

Complete the Advanced Coursework/Requirements

• Complete the eight Advanced Professional Development courses (24 units) plus nine units/600 hours (3 units = 200 hours) of Supervised Experience in Counseling. A minimum of 400 hours have to be completed in public K-12 schools with a minimum of 200 hours at each of two K-12 school levels. These hours are typically completed across three semesters.

• Complete the Basic Skills Requirement [pdf]. You will not be able to apply for a clear (or internship) PPS Credential until you complete the Basic Skills Requirement (BSR).

Complete Your Program Exit Review

• Make an appointment with your department advisor to review the completion of the PPS School Counseling Credential (and CWA Authorization, if applicable) program requirements using the PPS School Counseling Credential Approved Program Contract form. 

• Upon completion of the program requirements, have your advisor sign your PPS School Counseling Credential Approved Program Contract form.

• After your advisor approves and signs your PPS School Counseling Credential Approved Program Contract form, the Department Chair will review and sign your completed Approved Program Contract form as the Program Director.

• Use the signed copy of the PPS School Counseling Credential Approved Program Contract form to apply for your clear PPS School Counseling Credential (and CWA Authorization, if applicable).

Apply for Your Clear PPS K-12 School Counseling Credential

• Order official transcripts that include the conferral of your bachelor's and/or master’s degree if not completed at SJSU. 

• Complete the clear PPS School Counseling Credential Checklist and application package. (The completed and signed PPS School Counseling  Approved Program Contract form is one of the items on the checklist.)

• Contact the SJSU Lurie College of Education's Credentials Office if you need additional assistance with completing the clear PPS School Counseling Credential application process.