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Advisement

All successful applicants are initially admitted to the program as conditionally classified graduate students. They are expected to attend an orientation session before classes begin and are encouraged to join the Graduate Counseling Students Association (GCSA).

Each student will have various advisors throughout the program. The role of the faculty advisor is to provide information to the student about the educational opportunities within the Department, to address concerns of the student as a whole person and on all issues that impinge upon the student's academic success. Each faculty advisor has a unique style of advising and educating. The advisor is the person to see if students feel confused about University policies, registration procedures, course selection, licensure and career options, or the need to talk confidentially with someone about educational situations.  Therefore, students should address all personal and Departmental concerns to their assigned advisor. Developing a good faculty-advisor-student relationship involves meeting periodically, discuss the student's evolving interests, reviewing the student's academic and experiential background, and exploring the student's short-term and long-term goals. It is the student's responsibility to contact the appropriate advisor to schedule an appointment.

Advising FAQs (for Fall Admit State-Side Program)

Counseling Curriculum Prerequisites

Who is my advisor?

When am I required to see my advisor?

  • During first semester in order to establish a study plan
  • During the semester prior to practicum
  • During the semester prior to graduating
  • When I have needed to deviate from my study plan, either because my circumstances changed or because I could not get into the course in my plan. This means that most students should see their advisor about once a year, if not each semester.

Am I guaranteed to get all the courses as planned in my study guide exactly as they are laid out?

  • No, but if everyone plays by the rules, it usually works out even if not exactly as planned
  • We are a flexible program. The benefit of this is that when life circumstances change for you, we try to accommodate. The drawback is that with flexibility comes unpredictability in the spaces available in certain classes.
  • Understand that the study plan is not a “contract” and that flexibility may be required of you.
  • Priority space in pre-requisite courses is given to students that are just about to enter practicum
  • Priority space is given to students who are just about to graduate

What is important to understand before registering for classes?

  • Stick to your study plan as much as possible
  • If a class is full, register for another appropriate option and contact your advisor right away to inform them. This is important for the department’s understanding of what is needed. It’s also important because you may inadvertently do something that impacts your ability to start practicum or graduate as planned (for example, you may not realize that a prerequisite course for practicum is not offered in a semester), or you may be taking a space that another student must have.

How many classes should I or can I register for?

  • Always check with the CSUF Student Business Services https://sbs.fullerton.edu/students/all-student-fees/ and financial aid in order to get individualized answers about any of this. Your department advisors are not specialists in this area.
  • However, in general: 0-6 units has one fee, and 7+ units has another

What are the cost considerations to be aware of?

  • Always check with the CSUF Student Business Services https://sbs.fullerton.edu/students/all-student-fees/ and financial aid in order to get individualized answers about any of this. Your department advisors are not specialists in this area.
  • However, in general: 0-6 units has one fee, and 7+ units has another

Who should I talk to if I think I need to withdraw from the program or take a leave of absence?

  • Your current professors and advisor
  • If you decide to pursue it, meet with Rebekah Smart (regardless of where you are in the program)

What is the summer session?

  • Summer classes meet for 8 weeks, typically beginning right after Memorial Day.
  • They meet at either 3:30 or 6:30 twice a week (M/W or T/TH) for 2:45 minutes each.

Do I have to attend summer school?

  • Only when you are in practicum (summer session Coun 590). The practicum contract is for a whole year.
  • Attending summer classes will help you move through the program more quickly, and it is cost effective to take two rather than one. We do not offer all classes in summer and they tend to fill up. Please be aware that in most cases, students can get into one summer class, but not always two.
  • Sometimes students decide not to take any summer classes except for the required practicum. This is fine, but you must also be flexible about your graduation timeline.

Required Advisement

Students are required to meet during their first semester with the New Student Advisor for completion of their study plan, leading to University designation as a classified student. The Department requires that students take at least six units per semester. Students working full-time are strongly advised against taking more than six units per semester because of the demanding nature of the program; however, students should be aware of time limits for completion of the degree and of the possibility that they may be unable to enroll in a specific course the semester they wish to because of class size limits or other factors.  Students are not guaranteed admission to any classes during the program.

Beginning in the second semester,  the Graduate Advisor, Rebekah Smart, will meet with students needing help with scheduling or other issues.  Students are required to meet with the Graduate Advisor regarding Advancement to Practicum standing the fall or spring semester prior to taking the first practicum class (COUN 530). Periodically, the study plan should be reviewed and updated to ensure that course sequencing and graduation requirements are being met. Maintaining this study plan form will make further application and petition procedures less time-consuming and should positively impact time to graduation.

In the fall or spring semester prior to graduation, students are required to meet with the Advancement to Final Project Advisor, Matt Englar-Carlson, for approval to enroll in COUN 597 (Final Project).

Students are required to attend the Exit Interview with Dave Hart the semester they plan on graduating to understand procedures for graduation and licensure.

Students are invited to meet with advisors every semester, especially if they are unable to follow the study plan developed with an advisor.