Contact Information

Program Director: Sheri A. Atwater

Assistant Director: Catherine M. Foote

Academic Advisor: Danielle West

Introduction

The Master of Arts in Guidance and Counseling program is a 37-semester-hour program. It is designed for those who want a rigorous graduate Counseling program but are not planning to apply for either the Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) licensure or for the California Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) credential. It is ideal for candidates interested in working in higher education settings in positions such as college counselors or advisors. Should a candidate in this track later wish to pursue the MA Counseling degree with one of its associated specializations, most of the coursework taken in the MA in Guidance and Counseling program will apply.

Program Admissions Requirements

• Graduate Application
• 2 Letters of Recommendation
• 2 sealed, Official Transcripts from all colleges/universities attended
  • Bachelor’s degree conferral must be verified on transcript
• Technology Form
• CTC Certificate of Clearance
• Statement of Intent addressing:
  • The characteristics the applicant possesses that he or she thinks will make him or her an effective counselor;
  • In what specific ways does the LMU Counseling Program help the applicant achieve his or her professional goals;
  • The applicant’s commitment towards preparing himself or herself to be an effective counselor, including devoting the required time and financial planning to a culminating internship in the field, and becoming active in related professional organizations (e.g., CALPCC, CASC, ASCA);
  • The applicant’s work or volunteer experiences with individuals from diverse backgrounds (e.g., culture, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, social class, and/or children/adults with disabilities);
  • The applicant’s perspective on multiculturalism and social justice, as outlined in the School of Education’s REAL conceptual framework;
  • A bulleted list (to be included at the end of Statement of Intent) indicating a) positions held, b) length of time/duration, c) supervisor name/contact information, and d) volunteer or paid positions.
• A cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0, or a 3.05 in the last 60 undergraduate units, or a 3.0 in at least 9 graduate units is required.
• For applicants who completed an undergraduate/graduate degree outside of the U.S.A.:
  • Transcript evaluations
  • TOEFL or IELTS minimum score

Degree Requirements