Master of Science in Counseling and College Student Personnel
Put your passion into practice with the Master of Science in Counseling and College Student Personnel (CSP) program.
This comprehensive program combines elements of student affairs and counseling to serve professionals who work with or aspire to work with college students, providing essential research, in-depth knowledge and practical experience.
Graduates of the MS in Counseling (CSP) will have the tools they need to become compassionate leaders and advocates who use proven research to guide their students toward success in higher education settings.
Cultural Proficiency Approach to College Counseling
In our program, you’ll develop as a counselor who can think critically about cross-cultural situations and respond effectively to the diverse needs of today’s college students.
Our curriculum is built on the cultural proficiency model, an inside-out approach that uses self-examination as a foundation for building empathetic counseling strategies. With this model you’ll be able to assess how your background and identity influence your work with students, using these insights as strengths rather than barriers.
Industry-Aligned Curriculum for Lasting Skills
We prepare our students to create genuine change through coursework aligned with the professional competency areas of the American College Personnel Association (ACPA) and the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA).
You’ll graduate from the master’s in college counseling degree program with skills that truly matter in the complex educational landscape. This expanded expertise will help you support students on a deeper level and create positive, lasting change in their lives.
Intakes
- Jan
- May
- Oct
Application Processing Time in Days: 30
Application Process
Minimum English Language Requirements
| English Level Description | IELTS (1.0 -9.0) | TOEFL IBT (0-120) | TOEFL CBT (0-300) | PTE (10-90) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Expert | 9 | 120 | 297-300 | 86-90 | |
| Very Good | 8.5 | 115-119 | 280-293 | 83-86 | |
| Very Good | 8 | 110-114 | 270-280 | 79-83 | |
| Good | 7.5 | 102-109 | 253-267 | 73-79 | |
| Good | 7 | 94-101 | 240-253 | 65-73 | |
| Competent | 6.5 | 79-93 | 213-233 | 58-65 | |
| Competent | 6 | 60-78 | 170-210 | 50-58 | |
| Modest | 5.5 | 46-59 | 133-210 | 43-50 | |
| Modest | 5 | 35-45 | 107-133 | 36-43 | |
| Limited | 4 | 32-34 | 97-103 | 30-36 | |
| Extremely Limited | < 4 | < 31 | < 93 | < 30 |
Job Opportunity Potential
- If you have declared a major, get a part-time job on or off campus that relates to your career field or that will help you to develop essential skills. Take assessments using our online system called FOCUS.
- Visit faculty during office hours. Get to know as many faculty members as possible. This will come in very handy your senior year when you need letters of recommendation.
- Make a commitment to spend time on career development. Set aside time each week.
- Join at least one club or participate in a career related activity.
- Volunteer at an organization related to your interests (volunteer work can go on a resume).
- Connect assignments, papers, speeches and projects to your career interests (what interests you most?)
- Visit Career Services for assistance in developing a resume. Begin building your resume now. Update it at the end of every semester, do not try and remember everything you have done!
- Attend the Career & Intern Expo to get a job or internship. (50-80 employers attend each year)
- Get a summer job or internship in your field.
- Attend Career Services Workshops. Gather insight and advice on topics such as researching a career, resume writing, interviews, salary negotiations, and applying for grad school, law school, or med school.
- Register a profile on CLUPostings.com and schedule an appointment with a career counselor. Meeting with a counselor and submitting your resume will put you on file with the Career Center, so we can keep an eye out for relevant opportunities.
PSW Opportunity
Post-Study Work visa or permit, allowing international students on F-1 visas to work in the US after completing their studies, typically through Optional Practical Training (OPT).
Eligibility:
To be eligible for OPT, students must have been enrolled full-time in a US educational institution for at least one academic year and be seeking work related to their major.
Duration:
Students can apply for up to 12 months of OPT, either before they finish their studies (pre-completion) or after graduation (post-completion).
STEM OPT:
Students in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields can apply for an extended OPT period of up to 24 months.
Contact our PSA counselor for more information
Admission Requirement / Eligibility Criteria
Conversational and academic proficiency of English is an integral part of studying at Cal Lutheran. . International students are required to provide proof of English proficiency in one of the following ways:
- Minimum Duolingo English Test score of 110
- Minimum TOEFL score of 213 computer-based; 550 paper-based; or 79 internet-based
- Minimum IELTS score: 6.5
- Minimum Pearsons (PTE Academic) score: 58
- Completion of ELS 112
- Completion of first-year English (college level) with a grade of "C" or better at an accredited community college or university
- Course Type: Full Time
- Course Level: Masters/PG Degree
- Duration: 02 Year 06 Month
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Total Tuition Fee:
42300 USD
Average Cost of Living: 14000 USD /year
Application Fee: 65 USD