Pupil Personnel Services Credentials
A college or university that operates a program of professional preparation shall have a curriculum that meets the requirements of (a) and one or more of (b), (c), (d), and (e) as specified below. Statutory basis: Title 5 California Code of Regulations, Section 80632, Article 2, Professional Preparation Programs.
In order to meet the scholastic needs of school pupils with a diverse range of needs, abilities and expectations, all programs approved as preparation in pupil personnel services shall give primary emphasis to helping public school pupils to achieve academic success by emphasizing the importance of academic advising. Persons admitted to programs must have a minimum of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university.
Department of Counseling and School Psychology
PPS programs in the Department of Counseling and School Psychology prepare practitioners who integrate theory, knowledge base, research, and practice with relevant disciplines to create and engender a vision of educational equity and academic, personal, and social success in the public schools. These PPS professionals design, organize and deliver services to meet the needs of the diverse children, youth, families, and communities served by these schools. Their professional effectiveness is enhanced by strong personal, interpersonal, and leadership qualities. They are committed to their own life‐long learning and to influencing the professions which serve children, especially culturally and linguistically diverse children, in the schools.
School Counseling candidates are well prepared to enhance the academic success of public school pupils through guidance curriculum, individual student planning, responsive services and system support. School Psychology candidates support pupils’ academic success through direct (e.g., mediated learning) and indirect interventions (e.g., collaborative instructional consultation), especially regarding children having disabilities, where academic advising is included in the development of Individual Education Plans.
It is appropriate that our students bring diverse undergraduate backgrounds in psychology or related fields (e.g., sociology, social work, child development), or post‐baccalaureate studies in education. We require documentation of award of the baccalaureate degree for classified admissions for graduate study, consistent with the policies of the Graduate Division: "Specifically, a student shall at the time of enrollment must: (1) hold an acceptable baccalaureate degree earned at an institution accredited by a regional accrediting association, or have completed equivalent academic preparation as determined by the graduate dean... "(SDSU Catalog). When applicants are undergraduates in progress toward obtaining their bachelor’s degree, they must submit new official transcripts documenting completion of the degree before beginning graduate studies.
School of Social Work
The mission of San Diego State University’s School of Social Work is to provide superior education to undergraduate and graduate students; produce competent and effective practitioners, leaders and scholars grounded in evidence-based practice; deliver quality training and organizational support to the health and human services community; and disseminate quality research with practical applications that impact diverse communities, particularly with the vulnerable populations in the Southern California border region.
The vision of San Diego State University’s School of Social Work is to become one of the premier schools of social work with an interdisciplinary focus that is recognized at the regional, state, national and international levels for its excellence in education, research and service.
It is appropriate that our students bring diverse undergraduate backgrounds in subjects such as psychology, sociology, ethnic studies or family studies. We require documentation of award of the baccalaureate degree for classified admissions for graduate study, consistent with the policies of the Graduate Division: Applicants for any type of graduate or post baccalaureate study at San Diego State University must: (a) hold an acceptable baccalaureate degree from an institution accredited by a regional accrediting association or have completed equivalent academic preparation as determined by the Graduate Dean. (University Catalog). When applicants are in progress of obtaining their bachelor’s degree, they must submit new official transcripts documenting completion of the degree before beginning graduate studies.
Child Welfare and Attendance Specialization
SDSU requires a minimum of 60 semester units for the program of study. In total, the units required are in excess of the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing requirements for the two specializations. The MSW program requires 60 units of credit, of which 15 are field practicum units. The School Social Work specialization and the Child Welfare and Attendance Services specialization are infused throughout the curriculum and fieldwork requirements. As a part of the 60 units, the students also complete prescribed elective units (six units of coursework) that address content that is specific to school social work and child welfare and attendance.
The MSW Pupil Personnel Services Credential Website describes the additional experiences required to receive the CWA specialization.
Intern Program and Structure MSW Field Education
Practicum experiences are the signature pedagogy in social work education. All MSW students enroll in a field practicum. Over the course of a two-year period, the field practicum is expected to provide “in vivo” experiences relevant to academic content. Each field course includes two major components: the practicum agency internship and the school-based practicum labs. Field instruction prepares the students for professional practice and competence in social work by helping them develop the values, knowledge, and skills they will need to assume a range of professional roles.
All students in the field practicum must be concurrently enrolled in, and must satisfactorily complete the appropriate practice classes during the first and second years of field instruction. Students must have a “C” or better in their practice class to continue the field education process.
Foundation Year and Advanced Year Field Practicum course placements must be in different agencies with different field instructors, each of which must meet the criteria and objectives for that year of field instruction. Students are assigned to the MSW I Foundation Year practicum that exposes them to a generalist experience, including micro, mezzo, and macro practice and a broad range of clientele. The MSW II Advanced Year Practicum is coordinated with a student’s choice of concentration and specialization. The school social work with added authorization in child welfare and attendance is one specialization option.
(b) Credit for successful completion of a program of study for the school counselor specialization shall be: Equivalent to a minimum of 48 semester units or 72 quarter units; or 720 classroom hours of post baccalaureate study.
The SDSU School Counseling Program requires a minimum of 60 semester units completed over a two‐year full‐time or three‐year part‐time sequence of studies.
(d) Credit for successful completion of a program of study for the school psychologist specialization shall be: Equivalent to a minimum of 60 semester units or 90 quarter units; or 900 classroom hours of postgraduate study.
The complexity of school psychologists’ responsibilities in the field demands both breadth and depth of preparation. SDSU candidates complete the School Psychology Program over a four‐year span: 81 semester units are required prior to internship, 14 semester units are earned during the internship year, resulting in a total of 93 semester units.
(e) Credit for successful completion of a program of study for the added child welfare and attendance services specialization shall be: Equivalent to a minimum of 9 semester units or 13 quarter units; or 135 classroom hours of postgraduate study.
SDSU requires a minimum of 60 semester units for the program of study.
In total, the units required are in excess of the program of study exceeds the 45+9 required for two specializations.
Our MSW program requires 60 units of credit, of which 15 are field practicum units. The School Social Work specialization and the Child Welfare and Attendance Services specialization are infused throughout the curriculum. As a part of the 60 units, the students also complete prescribed elective units (six units of coursework) that address content that is specific to school social work and child welfare and attendance.
School Counseling
Persons admitted to programs must have a minimum of a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
Applicants for any type of graduate or post baccalaureate study at San Diego State University must: (a) hold an acceptable baccalaureate degree from an institution accredited by a regional accrediting association or have completed equivalent academic preparation as determined by the Graduate Dean. (University Catalog).
A college or university that operates a program of professional preparation shall have a curriculum that meets the appropriate requirement as follows: A program of study for the school counselor specialization shall be: Equivalent to a minimum of 48 semester units or 72 quarter units; or 720 classroom hours of post baccalaureate study.
The SDSU School Counseling Program requires a minimum of 60 semester units completed over a two‐year full‐time or three‐year part‐time sequence of studies.
An entity that operates an approved program of preparation for a PPS credential with an Intern option shall require each candidate who is admitted into the Intern Program to have completed sufficient coursework so that the candidate is ready for supervised practice in the schools. The Intern must be supervised and supported by both the employer and the Commission-approved program.
We do not currently have an internship option for the school counseling program.
School Psychology
Persons admitted to programs must have a minimum of a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
Applicants for any type of graduate or post baccalaureate study at San Diego State University must: (a) hold an acceptable baccalaureate degree from an institution accredited by a regional accrediting association or have completed equivalent academic preparation as determined by the Graduate Dean. (Univesrity Catalog).
A college or university that operates a program of professional preparation shall have a curriculum that meets the appropriate requirement as follows:
A program of study for the school psychologist specialization shall be: Equivalent to a minimum of 60 semester units or 90 quarter units; or 900 classroom hours of postgraduate study.
The complexity of school psychologists’ responsibilities in the field demands both breadth and depth of preparation. SDSU candidates complete the School Psychology Program over a four‐year span: 81 semester units are required prior to internship, 14 semester units are earned during the internship year, resulting in a total of 93 semester units.
An entity that operates an approved program of preparation for a PPS credential with an Intern option shall require each candidate who is admitted into the Intern Program to have completed sufficient coursework so that the candidate is ready for supervised practice in the schools. The Intern must be supervised and supported by both the employer and the Commission-approved program.
Internship Credential requirements include:
- Satisfactory completion of all coursework in the first 3 years of the program (i.e., “B” average and no course with grade below “B-”
- Credit for 2 semesters of CSP 752 Seminar and Practicum in School Psychology
- Completion of at least 500 hours of supervised field experiences in the schools
- Passing the CBEST
- Satisfactory evaluation and recommendation of your CSP 752 field supervisor
- Formal recommendation of the school psychology faculty following review in the Internship Planning Conference.
School Social Work
Persons admitted to programs must have a minimum of a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
Applicants for any type of graduate or post baccalaureate study at San Diego State University must: (a) hold an acceptable baccalaureate degree from an institution accredited by a regional accrediting association or have completed equivalent academic preparation as determined by the Graduate Dean. (University Catalog).
A college or university that operates a program of professional preparation shall have a curriculum that meets the appropriate requirement as follows:
A program of study for the school social work specialization shall be: Equivalent to a minimum of 45 semester units or 67.5 quarter units; or 675 classroom hours of postgraduate study.
SDSU requires of minimum of 60 semester units for the University Catalog.
An entity that operates an approved program of preparation for a PPS credential with an Intern option shall require each candidate who is admitted into the Intern Program to have completed sufficient coursework so that the candidate is ready for supervised practice in the schools. The Intern must be supervised and supported by both the employer and the Commission-approved program.
We do not currently have an internship option for the School Social Work PPS program.
