Community-Based Block Multicultural Community Counseling & Social Justice Education
Master of Science (M.S.) & LPCC
The Community-Based Block (CBB) Program is a 2-Year, 60+-unit Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Community-Based Block Multicultural Community Counseling and Social Justice Education that prepares licensed professional clinical counselors (LPCCs).
Program Overview
The CBB program provides multicultural community counseling and social justice education that prepares students to become culturally competent LPCCs, while serving individuals and communities through internships, research, placements and community engagement.
- 50+ years preparing culturally competent counselors
- Strong social justice commitment to providing mental health and community counseling to underserved communities
- 95% graduation rate
- Over 85% Ethnically Diverse Students throughout the history of the program
- 100% Ethnically Diverse Faculty
- Strong LGBTQIAA+ Focus
- Fulfills the academic requirements for LPCC licensure
- CBB4Life Alumni Association
- CBB graduates serve as:
- Community Counselors
- Clinical Mental Health Counselors
- Community College and University Counselors
- K-12 counselors
Information Session
Download slides from our latest CBB Information Session (PDF).
What is CBB?
For over 50 years, the CBB Program has prepared counselors to work with individuals and communities. In Fall 2014, the one-year M.A. program became a 2-year M.S. program that prepares students to become Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors (LPCCs). The two-year cohort program meets all of the requirements for the 60+ unit Master of Science in Community-Based Block Multicultural Community Counseling and Social Justice Education and fulfills the California Board of Behavioral Sciences’ requirements for Professional Clinical Counselor Licensure.
Key Features
CBB prepares multicultural community counselors and advocates with the following 4 core learning objectives:
- Community Counseling Knowledge & Skills
Awareness and knowledge of counseling theories, models, and methods from a multicultural perspective and a transformative paradigm and apply them in counseling practice and research - Multicultural/Multilingual
Conceptualize and integrate multicultural knowledge and experience into community counseling theory, practice, and research - Social Justice & Advocacy
Conceptualize and integrate social justice and advocacy into counseling theory, practice, and research; democratic theory, process, and skills; critical theory, community capital - Self-awareness & Care
Conceptualize and practice self-awareness and personal insight that supports professional growth and development in the interest of clients and communities
Career Tracks
CBB LPCC graduates complete 1 of 3 tracks that prepare them for the following careers:
- Clinical mental health counseling: serve community clinics or private practice
- College counseling: serve community colleges and universities
- K-12 counseling: serve K-12 schools
Contact Us
Nola Butler Byrd, Ph.D., LPCC, Program Director
Email: [email protected]
CBB Graduate Assistant
Email: [email protected]
Frequently Asked Questions
CBB admissions is conducted every 2 years. Our next application cycle will begin Fall 2027 for the 2028-2030 cohort.
- Mondays at the Dede Alpert Center in City Heights (where CBB applicant interviews take place)
- Tuesday night is on SDSU campus
- Wednesday is in Barrio Logan (Beckworth Library/ Educational Cultural Complex).
- Thursday & Friday at your fieldwork site
Year 1
A cohort of approximately 30 students will take all classes together, all day Monday and Wednesday, with research class on Tuesday night.
Year 2
Year 2 will be specialized according to your focus of study and the group will be split accordingly. During both years, fieldwork hours are required.
Our admissions pool is competitive. Many applicants must apply more than once to get admitted. In the past, 100-150 applied, and 24-30 were accepted.
The applications ask for a cumulative GPA and a GPA from courses associated with your major. Our program doesn’t have a “cut-off score” for GPA. However, the university does ask a 2.85 GPA minimum (over the last 60 units) and has become increasingly strict about this. In the past, the faculty have been able to successfully advocate for students with a GPA lower than 2.85, but that may not be the case in the future.
It is recommended that CBBers not work outside their fieldwork commitments. CBB is emotionally and academically rigorous. Attending to additional commitments could take away from the CBB experience. For more information, visit What is CBB?
Yes, the CBB Program trains licensed counselors to work in college settings. In fact, many of our graduates have been employed as counselors, professors, directors and in leadership roles, especially in community colleges. Learn more at What is CBB?
Being a non-native English speaker would not impact your ability to get into the program. If anything, it can be attributed to diverse life experiences, something that CBB values.
Unfortunately, our program does not offer a fee waiver. You could contact Graduate Admissions, because they might have more information. Please see their contact info below.
Prospective Student Center
619-594-6336
855-594-6336
[email protected]
Yes, just choose one to officially apply for via Cal State Apply. Then, you will apply to each program individually (CBB and the other). After you get admitted and decide on your program, then we will go back into Cal State Apply and change the program of choice (for GA: RDR will be sent to the program listed in Cal State Apply).
- Take courses to improve GPA
- Seek therapy for yourself
- Gain experience in your area of interest related to social justice/counseling
- Visit a class
- Share your interpersonal challenges, as well as your strengths, in your personal statement (We value authenticity, openness and honesty)
- Get letters of recommendation from people who really know you and are authentic
The main goal of CBB is to create change agents in our society who want to support and work with people in diverse communities. Learn more at What is CBB?