MA and Credential Policies

Thesis and Fieldwork       

All Master of Arts students in the IME and O&L programs are required to submit a completed field project or thesis in order to have a degree posted by the University of San Francisco. 

Credential Programs

Fingerprint Clearance Required: 

All Teacher Education, School Counseling (SC) and Special Education students who do not already have a California credential (such as an emergency or substitute permit or services credential) on file with the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) are required by the CTC to apply for a Certificate of Clearance with Livescan fingerprints before being placed in a school setting.  A clearance obtained through districts, private schools, group homes, or childcare centers is NOT accepted by the CTC.  You may contact the School of Education Credential Analyst for more information.

Credential Analyst Office, School of Education, Room 031 

(415) 422-2117, credentialanalyst@usfca.edu

A clearance application requires the student to have fingerprints taken at a Livescan Service Center and to submit a Commission fee.  Livescan Service Centers also charge a fee at the time of service.  Clearance instructions, and Livescan Service forms are available in the Credential Analyst Office.

Teacher Education Candidates: All Teacher Education students must apply for the Certificate of Clearance soon after orientation, but in no case later than census date of their first semester in the program.  School districts may also require students to secure a district criminal background clearance before being allowed to enter any school facility for any observation or fieldwork responsibilities.

School Counseling Candidates: SC applicants must complete the clearance process prior to being admitted to USF.

Special Education Candidates:  Special Education students must submit a Certificate of Clearance prior to applying for their intern credential.

Applying for Credentials: 

All California educational credentials are issued by the State of California, Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC).  After completing a professional preparation program at USF, students must submit a Formal Request for Credential Recommendation (FRCR) to the University Credential Analyst, (415-422-2117; credentialanalyst@usfca.edu).  FRCR forms must be submitted with the requested documents.

Requests for credential recommendation are submitted via the internet to the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.  Shortly after recommendation by USF, students will receive an email request from the CTC asking them to complete their portion of the online application and pay the appropriate fee.  The applicant will be able to print a “verification of credential processing” page for submission to his/her employing agency. Credentials are issued approximately two to four weeks after the applicants complete the online application.

Some agencies/centers/facilities/organizations may need a certificate of insurance from USF on behalf of students doing their fieldwork.  Should the student need such a certificate, please contact the University Human Resources Office at (415) 422-6707 and provide all the necessary information so that the request may be processed.

School Counseling/Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) Credential 

Program Details | 49 credits total 

First Year: 27 credits

Semester 1 | Fall - 10 credits
CPSY 607 - Counseling Theory and Practice (3)
CPSY 618 - Law and Ethics (3)
CPSY 612 - Lifespan Developmental Counseling (3)
CPSY 619 - Fieldwork Practicum (1)

Semester 2 | Spring - 10 credits
CPSY 606 - Cross Cultural Counseling (3)
CPSY 613 - Group Counseling Skills (3)
CPSY 620 - PPS Traineeship I (2) or CPSY 602 - PPS Internship I (2)
CPSY 624 - Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methods (2)

Semester 3 | Summer - 7 credits
CPSY 608 - Prevention and Intervention in Schools (3)
CPSY 617 - Consulting with Parents, Teachers and Schools (3)
CPSY 625 - Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis and Interpretation (1)

Second Year: 22 credits

Semester 4 | Fall - 8 credits
CPSY 609 - Academic Counseling (3)
CPSY 610 - Advanced Multicultural Counseling (3)
CPSY 621 - PPS Traineeship II (2) or CPSY 603 - PPS Internship II (2)

Semester 5 | Spring - 8 credits
CPSY 614 - Career Counseling (3)
CPSY 623 - Trauma and Crisis Counseling in Urban and Multicultural Context (3)
CPSY 622 - PPS Traineeship III (2) or CPSY 604 - PPS Internship III (2)

Semester 6 | Summer - 6 credits
CPSY 611 - Problem-Solving Counseling (3)
CPSY 615 - Assessment and the Counselor (3)

Special Education with Mild/Moderate Education Specialist Credential

First Year: 27-28 credits


Summer | 14 credits
TEC 604 - Multiple Subject Curriculum and Instruction: Math & Science (3)
TEC 621 - Multiple Subject Curriculum and Instruction: Early Literacy (3)

The courses above may be waived for those who have a California Single or Multiple Subject credential earned within the last 7 years. Courses may be transferred from another institution.

L&I 637 - Fieldwork Practicum: Teaching Diverse Groups (2)
L&I 636 - Educational Practices for the Learning Specialist (3)
L&I 665 - Development of Legal & Educational Foundations for the Learning Specialist (3)

Fall | 7 credits
L&I 631 - Curriculum & Instruction for Students with Mild/Moderate Disabilities (2)
L&I 633 - Assessment in Special Education (3)
L&I 639 - Intern Teaching Seminar I (2)

Spring | 6 credits
L&I 622 - Instructional Uses of Technology for Learning Specialists (2)
L&I 676 - Behavior Management (3)
L&I 640 - Intern Teaching Seminar II (1)

Second Year: 8-9 credits

Fall | 4 credits
L&I 675 - Data-based Instruction (3)
L&I 678 - Intern Teaching Seminar III (1)

Spring | 4 credits
L&I 659 - Consultation and Collaboration (3)
L&I 679 - Intern Teaching Seminar IV (1)

TEC 642: Health Education (1 credit) - Flexible - May be taken anytime during the two-year program on three successive Saturdays. Course may be waived for those who have a California Single or Multiple Subject credential within the last 7 years or prior qualifying health course.

The master's degree may be completed during the second year of the credential program or in an optional third year. | 6 credits

L&I 641 - Research in Special Education (3)
L&I 638 - Master's Thesis (3)

Teacher Education/Preliminary CA Teaching Credential

 

The preliminary Multiple Subject and Single Subject teaching credentials are offered in conjunction with the following Master of Arts in Teaching programs. All programs can also include the Bilingual Authorization.

  Masters in Teaching

  Masters in Teaching with a Concentration in Catholic Education

 Masters in Educational Technology with Teaching Credential

 Masters in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages with Teaching Credential

 Masters in Teaching Reading, with Reading and Literacy Added Authorization

 Masters in Teaching Urban Education & Social Justice

 

Preliminary Single Subject (SS) Credential


Program details | 34 credits


1st Semester | 14 credits

TEC 600 - Teaching, Learning and Technology (2 credits)
TEC 610 - Learning and Teaching (3 credits)
TEC 618 - Teaching for Diversity and Social Justice (3 credits)
TEC 643 - Education of Exceptional Children (3 credits)

 

Students whose 1st semester is the fall semester also take one of the following 3 courses:
TEC 615 - Single Subject Curriculum and Instruction I: Math or Science (3 credits)
TEC 628 - Single Subject Curriculum and Instruction I: English (3 credits)
TEC 629 - Single Subject Curriculum and Instruction I: Social Science (3 credits)

 

Students whose 1st semester is the spring semester also take:
TEC 625 - Teaching Adolescents (3 credits)

 

2nd Semester | 13 credits (fall-entry) | 11 credits (spring-entry)
TEC 611 - Education of Bilingual Children: Theory and Practice (3 credits)
TEC 622 - Single Subject Curriculum and Instruction: Academic Literacy (3 credits)
TEC 660 - Single Subject Student Teaching I - Fieldwork (2 credits)

 

Students whose 2nd semester is in the fall semester also take one of the following 3 courses:
TEC 615 - Single Subject Curriculum and Instruction I: Math or Science (3 credits)
TEC 628 - Single Subject Curriculum and Instruction I: English (3 credits)
TEC 629 - Single Subject Curriculum and Instruction I: Social Science (3 credits)

 

Students whose 2nd semester is in the spring semester also take:
TEC 625 - Teaching Adolescents (3 credits)

 

Students whose 2nd semester is in the spring semester also take one of the following 4 courses:
TEC 632 - Single Subject Curriculum and Instruction II: Math (2 credits)
TEC 633 - Single Subject Curriculum and Instruction II: Science (2 credits)
TEC 631 - Single Subject Curriculum and Instruction II: English (2 credits)
TEC 634 - Single Subject Curriculum and Instruction II: Social Science (2 credits)

 

3rd Semester | 7 credits (fall entry) | 9 credits (spring-entry)
TEC 642 - Health Education (1 credit)
TEC 655 - Single Subject Student Teaching II - Fieldwork (3 credits)
TEC 656 - Single Subject Student Teaching III - Fieldwork or
TEC 657 - Single Subject Student Teaching III - Bilingual Authorization (3 credits)

 

Students whose 3rd semester is in the spring semester also take one of the following 4 courses:
TEC 632 - Single Subject Curriculum and Instruction II: Math (2 credits)
TEC 633 - Single Subject Curriculum and Instruction II: Science (2 credits)
TEC 631 - Single Subject Curriculum and Instruction II: English (2 credits)
TEC 634 - Single Subject Curriculum and Instruction II: Social Science (2 credits)

 

 

Preliminary Multiple Subject (MS) Credential


Program details | 36 credits

 

1st Semester | 14 credits
TEC 600 - Teaching, Learning & Technology (2 credits)
TEC 610 - Learning & Teaching (3 credits)
TEC 618 - Teaching for Diversity & Social Justice (3 credits)
TEC 621 - Multiple Subject Curriculum & Instruction: Early Literacy (3 credits)
TEC 643 - Education of Exceptional Children (3 credits)

 

2nd Semester | 15 credits
TEC 611 - Education of Bilingual Children: Theory & Practice (3 credits)
TEC 630 - Multiple Subject Curriculum & Instruction: Social Studies (2 credits)
TEC 612 - Multiple Subject Curriculum & Instruction: Reading & Language Arts in the Intermediate Grades (3 credits)

TEC 608 – Multiple Subject Curriculum & Instruction: Science (2 credits)

TEC 609 – Multiple Subject Curriculum & Instruction: Math (2 credits)
TEC 602 - Multiple Subject Curriculum & Instruction: Visual & Performing Arts (1 credit)
TEC 616 - Multiple Subject Student Teaching I (2 credits)

 

3rd Semester | 7 credits
TEC 642 - Health Education (1 credit)
TEC 605 - Multiple Subject Student Teaching II - Fieldwork (3 credits)
TEC 606 - Multiple Subject Student Teaching III - Fieldwork or
TEC 607 - Multiple Subject Student Teaching III - Bilingual Authorization (3 credits)

 

Optional Bilingual Authorization

The Bilingual Authorization in Spanish is open to candidates who satisfy language proficiency requirements. Students must demonstrate satisfactory language proficiency competence prior to enrolling in Bilingual Authorization courses.  In addition, written and oral knowledge of Spanish at an FSI Level 3 or its equivalent, must be demonstrated prior to Student Teaching II and III.

Bilingual Authorization candidates are required to take two courses in addition to their preliminary credential program prior to or concurrently with MS Student Teaching III:

  • TEC 635 Language & Culture of Emphasis: Spanish
  • TEC 636 - Methods & Materials in the Language of Emphasis: Spanish (2 credits)
  • TEC 607 - MS Student Teaching III - Bilingual Authorization. Candidates complete a student teaching placement in a bilingual classroom.

MA Options with SS or MS Teaching Credential

Candidates who complete all credential program requirements at USF may obtain one of the following MA degrees by completing the required courses.

MA in Teaching (MAT) 6 credits
TEC 673 - Curriculum: Currents and Controversies (3 credits)
TEC 674 - Curriculum Development and Design (3 credits)

 

MA in Teaching with a Concentration in Catholic Education Coursework | 15 credits
CEL 640 - Ecclesial Principles of Catholic Education (3 credits)
CEL 642 - Moral Development (3 credits)
CEL 646 - Methods and Materials in Teaching Religion (3 credits)
CEL 648 - Spirituality of the Educator (3 credits)
CEL 690 - M.A. Culminating Project (3 credits)

 

MA in Educational Technology | 15 credits (select 5)

DTTL 641 – Navigating the Divide: Digital Leadership (3 credits)
DTTL 602 – Digital Leadership Lab (3 credits)
DTTL 603 – Made to Stick: Teaching with the Brain in Mind (3 credits)
DTTL 604 – Digital Storytelling Lab (3 credits)
DTTL 605 – Multimedia Learning (3 credits)
DTTL 606 – Media Lab (3 credits)
DTTL 607 – Learning Designs (3 credits)
DTTL 608 – Design Lab (3 credits)

MA in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages | 15 credits

IME 630 - Teaching English as a Second Language (3 credits)
IME 632 - Structure of American English (3 credits)
IME 633 - Preparation and Evaluation of ESL Materials (3 credits)
IME 638 - M.A. Field Project in TESOL (3 credits)
GEDU 603 - Methodology of Educational Research (3 credits)

 

MA in Teaching Reading with Reading and Literacy Added Authorization | 14 credits
TEC 661 - Assessment and Intervention with Struggling Readers (3 credits)
TEC 662 - Tutoring Practicum: Primary Level (1 credit)
TEC 663 - Tutoring Practicum: Intermediate Level (1 credit)

TEC 665 - Fluency & Comprehension for Linguistically Diverse Students (3 units) (Summer only)
TEC 670 - Issues in Reading Research: Theories and Practice (3 credits)
TEC 671 - Reading Practicum: Supervised Field Experiences (3 credits)

 

MA in Urban Education and Social Justice | 12 credits

TEC 618 - Teaching for Diversity & Social Justice (3 credits)

TEC 611 - Education of Bilingual Children: Theory & Practice (3 credits)

TEC 658 - Critical Pedagogy and Cultural Studies in Urban Education (3 credits)

TEC 659 - Action Research and Service Learning for Urban Teachers (3 credits)

MA Programs

Catholic Educational Leadership (CEL)

Program details | 30 credits total 

Core Curriculum | 24 Credits
CEL 640 - History and Principles of Catholic Education (3 credits)
CEL 641 - Private School Law (3 credits)
CEL 642 - Moral Development (3 credits)
CEL 644 - Curriculum and Instruction Leadership in Catholic Schools (3 credits)
CEL 650 - Catholic Leadership and Educational Administration (3 credits)
CEL 651 - Business and Finance for Catholic Schools (3 credits)
CEL 653 - Personnel Leadership in Catholic Schools (3 credits)
CEL 690 - M.A. Culminating Project (3 credits)

Electives | 6 Credits
The remaining six credits are earned in elective courses selected from among those in Catholic Educational Leadership or those offered by other master's degree programs in the School of Education.

The Program is offered during three semesters of the academic year: fall, spring, and summer. The summer CEL semester, referred to as the SummerWest program, includes a wide variety of course offerings; the summer faculty are from many parts of the country and bring expertise in theory and practice in elementary and secondary Catholic schools.

Educational Technologies for Teaching and Learning (ETK)

Program Details | 30 credits total 

DTTL 602 Digital Leadership Lab (3 credits)
DTTL 603 Made to Stick: Teaching with the Brain in Mind (3 credits)
DTTL 604 Digital Storytelling Lab (3 credits)
DTTL 605 Multimedia Learning (3 credits)
DTTL 606 Media Lab (3 credits)
DTTL 607 Learning Designs (3 credits)
DTTL 608 Design Lab (3 credits)
DTTL 609 Change the World from Here (3 credits)
DTTL 610 Capstone Lab (3 credits)
DTTL 614 Navigating the Divide: Digital Leadership (3 credits)

higher education and student affairs (Hesa)

Program details | 30 units total 

HESA Core | 21 credits
O&L 744 Academic and Student Affairs (3 credits)
O&L 614 Introduction to Organization and Leadership (3 credits)
O&L 741 American Institutions of Higher Education (3 credits)
O&L 663 Race, Diversity and Higher Education (3 credits)
O&L 662 Campus Environments and Cultures (3 credits)
O&L 656 Student Development in College (3 credits)
O&L 626 Social and Cultural Theoretical Foundations in Higher Education (3 credits)

Research Methods | 3 credits
O&L 657 Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education (3 credits)

Practicum | 3 credits
Students completing the degree in HESA must complete three credits of practicum experiences during their program. The required practicum commitment is approximately 100 hours per semester or 10 hours per week.
O&L 645 Practicum in HESA I (1 credit)
O&L 646 Practicum in HESA II (1 credit)
O&L 647 Practicum in HESA III (1 credit)

Masters Capstone | 3 credits
O&L 667 Capstone Seminar

Human Rights Education (HRE)

Program details | 30 units total 

HRE Foundations Courses | 9 credits
IME 618 - International Human Rights Law for Educators (3 credits)
IME 620 - Human Rights Education: Pedagogy and Praxis (3 credits)
IME 621 - Human Rights Education: History, Philosophy and Current Debates (3 credits)


HRE Topic Courses | 9 credits (select 3)
IME 616 - Social Movements and Human Rights (3 credits)
IME 617 - Tools for Human Rights Practice (3 credits)
IME 619 - Gender and Globalization (3 credits)
IME 640 - Immigration and Forced Displacement (3 credits)


HRE Electives | 6 credits (select 2)
IME 602 - Linguistic Rights and Bilingual Education (3 credits)
IME 605 - Re-conceptualizing Multicultural Education (3 credits)
IME 606 - Critical Analysis of Urban Schooling (3 credits)
IME 622 - Peace, Conflict & Education in Global Contexts (3 credits)
IME 636 - Human Rights and Media (3 credits)

IME 612 - Critical Race Theory and Praxis (3 credits)
IME 637 - Critical Pedagogy (3 credits)
IME 639 - Cross-Cultural Literacy (3 credits)
IME 625 - Contemporary International Issues (3 credits)
IME 604 - Global Perspectives on Education and Decolonization (3 credits)
IME 676 - Teaching and Learning through the Arts (3 credits)

Culminating Project | 6 credits
GEDU 603 - Methodology of Educational Research (3 credits)
IME 649 - IME MA Thesis/Field Project (3 credits)

International and Multicultural Education (IME) 

Program details | 30 credits total 

Foundation Courses | 3 credits
IME 608 - Foundations of International and Multicultural Education (3 credits)

General IME | 21 credits (select 7 courses)
IME 602 - Linguistic Rights and Bilingual Education (3 credits)
IME 603 - Applied Linguistics (3 credits)
IME 604 - Global Perspectives on Education and Decolonization (3 credits)
IME 605 - Reconceptualizing Multicultural Education (3 credits)
IME 606 - Critical Analysis of Urban Schooling (3 credits)
IME 610 - Sociology of Language (3 credits)
IME 611 - Language and Culture (3 credits)
IME 612 - Critical Race Theory and Praxis (3 credits)
IME 613 - Emotional Intelligence and Cultural Competency (3 credits)
IME 615 - Education for Inclusion (3 credits)
IME 616 - Social Movements and Human Rights (3 credits) IME 617 - Tools for Human Rights Practice (3 credits)
IME 619 - Gender and Globalization (3 credits)
IME 621 - Human Rights Education: History, Philosophy and Current Debates (3 credits)
IME 622 - Peace, Conflict & Education in Global Contexts (3 credits)
IME 624 - African American Educational History in the United States (3 credits)
IME 628 - Women of Color in Higher Education (3 credits)
IME 631 - Research in First and Second Language Acquisition (3 credits)
IME 634 - Assessment and Testing of Second Language Proficiency (3 credits)
IME 635 - Latinos and Education (3 credits)
IME 636 - Human Rights and Media (3 credits)
IME 637 - Critical Pedagogy (3 credits)
IME 640 - Immigration and Forced Displacement (3 credits)
IME 644 - Whiteness, Power, and Privilege (3 credits)
IME 650 - Asian American History and Education (3 credits)
IME 668 - Discourse, Pragmatics and Language Teaching (3 credits)
IME 676 - Teaching and Learning through the Arts (3 credits)
IME 697 - IME Directed Study (1-3 credits)
IME 698 - IME Special Topics (1-3 credits)

Master's Thesis/Research Project | (6 credits)
IME 649 - IME MA Thesis/Research Project (3 credits)
GEDU 603 - Methodology of Educational Research (3 credits)

Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT)

Program details | 60 units total

Fall Semester Entry 

Fall 1 | 9 credits
CPSY 631 - Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy (3 credits)
CPSY 634 - Ethical, Legal, and Professional Issues (3 credits)
CPSY 677 - Counseling Across Cultures (3 credits)


Spring 1 | 9 credits
CPSY 632 - Child and Adolescent Development (3 credits)
CPSY 639 - Individual and Family Psychopathology (3 credits)
CPSY 642 - Counseling Methods (3 credits)

Summer 1 | 9 credits
CPSY 630 - Individual and Systems Assessment (3 credits)
CPSY 650 - Trauma and Crisis Counseling (3 credits)
CPSY 640 - Relationship Therapy (3 credits)

Fall 2 | 9 credits
CPSY 647 - Group Work in Clinical Settings (3 credits)
CPSY 687 - Family Systems Therapy (3 credits)
CPSY 690 - Research Methods (3 credits)

 

Spring 2 | 9 credits
CPSY 646 - Community Mental Health: Concepts of Recovery, Wellness, Systems of Care and Advocacy (3 credits)
CPSY 649 - Sexuality and Gender Issues in Therapy (3 credits)
CPSY 651 - Adult Development and Geropsychology (3 credits)

Summer 2 | 9 credits
CPSY 654 - Career Counseling (3 credits)
CPSY 665 - Substance Abuse and Addictions Counseling (3 credits)
CPSY 683 - Clinical Psychopharmacology (3 credits)

Fall 3 | 3 credits
CPSY 637 - Traineeship I (3 credits)

Spring 3 | 3 credits
CPSY 638 - Traineeship II (3 credits)

Spring Semester Entry 

Spring 1 | 9 credits
CPSY 631 - Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy (3 credits)
CPSY 634 - Ethical, Legal, and Professional Issues (3 credits)
CPSY 677 - Counseling Across Cultures (3 credits)

Summer 1 | 9 credits
CPSY 630 - Individual and Systems Assessment (3 credits)
CPSY 639 - Individual and Family Psychopathology (3 credits)
CPSY 650 - Trauma and Crisis Counseling (3 credits)

Fall 1 | 9 credits
CPSY 647 - Group Work in Clinical Settings (3 credits)
CPSY 642 - Counseling Methods (3 credits)
CPSY 690 - Research Methods (3 credits)


Spring 2 | 9 credits
CPSY 632 - Child and Adolescent Development (3)
CPSY 640 - Relationship Therapy (3)
CPSY 646 - Community Mental Health: Concepts of Recovery, Wellness, Systems of Care and Advocacy (3)

Summer 2 | 9 credits
CPSY 654 - Career Counseling (3)
CPSY 683 - Clinical Psychopharmacology (3)
CPSY 687 - Family Systems Therapy (3)

Fall 2 | 9 credits
CPSY 637 - Traineeship I (3)
CPSY 651 - Adult Development and Geropsychology (3)
CPSY 665 - Substance Abuse and Addictions Counseling (3)

Spring 3 | 6 credits
CPSY 638 - Traineeship II (3)
CPSY 649 - Sexuality and Gender Issues in Therapy (3)

MFT Program details continued

The 60-unit program meets all educational requirements of the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) for both licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) and a Professional Clinical Counselor (PCC) in three years. Students will be eligible to pursue the MFT license upon completion of the program requirements, and also have the option to pursue the PCC license with successful completion of additional fieldwork requirements during the program.

A graduate degree is only one part of the overall process in being licensed.  A license is granted to an individual only after the applicant has completed the following requirements:

  • A master’s degree as listed in the Business and Professions Code. (This fulfills the educational requirements stated in the Business and Professions Code Section 4980.37, 4980.40, and subdivisions (a), (d), and (e) of Section 4980.41).
  • Three thousand (3,000) hours of supervised clinical experience under the direct supervision of a licensed MFT, Psychologist, Clinical Social Worker, or Psychiatrist certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, with at least 1700 hours obtained post-master’s degree. All hours must meet BBS requirements or they will not count.
  • MFT: The passing of the California Law and Ethics Exam and the California Clinical Examination.
  • PCC: The passing of a LPCC California Law and Ethics Exam and the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Exam (NCMHCE).

Even though the School of Education's Counseling Psychology Department makes efforts to convey accurate information to students regarding licensing requirements, students are responsible to keep abreast of BBS regulations.  Thus, we also recommend that students write the BBS, at the earliest possible date, and request all information available for trainees; students will receive a copy of the current laws and regulations and other important information. The address is:

Board of Behavioral Sciences
1625 North Market Boulevard, Suite S-200
Sacramento, CA 95834
Telephone:(916) 574-7830
Website:  http://www.bbs.ca.gov

The MFT license is a California license. Students who plan on (or even consider) leaving California and plan on applying for a license to practice counseling within another state are advised to contact the state licensing body of that particular state immediately.  Only then will the student be able to determine the requirements for that particular state.

The BBS considers the student a “trainee” while enrolled in an MA program.  The student will be considered an “intern” following the receipt of his/her degree and application for and assignment of an intern registration number by the BBS.

One crucial point needs attention:  BBS supervised hour requirements are independent of the department’s traineeship requirements.  The department has designed an academic program that includes supervised clinical experience in the third year.  While our requirements are separate from requirements for state licensing, we make every effort to assure that an “approved” traineeship placement meets the numerous requirements of the BBS.  Therefore, it is possible to use the hours gained in the third-year field placement, the hours that are part of the student’s traineeship, to fulfill some, if not all, of the hour requirements the BBS allows trainees (pre-degree status) to count toward the 1,300 maximum hours allowed as a trainee and the 3,000 hours needed for licensure.

Students who wish to seek MFT licensure after completion of the MA program must register with the BBS as an “intern” within 90 days of graduation.  Failure to register with the BBS and to obtain an intern registration number will prevent the student from gaining any post-MA supervised clinical experience that will count toward the application for a license.  Each student applying for an MFT Intern License will need a sealed transcript (with the M.A. degree awarded) and a completed Program Certification form provided by the Dean’s office in the School of Education.  These two documents will accompany other BBS forms as part of the intern registration process.  Both documents require written requests by the student before they can be provided.  Students request an official transcript from the University Registrar’s Office and the Program Certification form from the Dean’s Office.  Details pertaining to leaving USF and applying for an intern license are included in the MFT Exit Manual provided by the department prior to the end of the program.

Any time the student has dealings with the BBS (or any other state agency or agency within other states), it is to his/her advantage to take notes of phone conversations (names of the people with whom you speak and content of conversation), and to make copies of all forms and paperwork pertaining to eventual licensing.

Finally, as part of professional identity and development, many students find it helpful to join the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT).  Student membership affords one numerous benefits, from receiving The California Therapist (a way to stay apprised of the current issues in the field and recent BBS information) to the opportunity to join a local CAMFT chapter and to participate in activities with local licensed and pre-licensed (interns) members.  Use the information below to inquire about the current cost of student membership.

California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists

7901 Raytheon Road
San Diego, CA 92111-1606
Telephone: (858) 292-2638
Website:  http://www.camft.org

Reminder:  Save everything! Save course syllabi, reading lists, copies of any supervisor forms that are signed and filled in, Program Manual, Traineeship Manual, USF Catalog—everything!  A decision to leave California and apply for a license in another state will require the production of documentation verifying your degree and training.  Application for some certificates/memberships may require similar documentation.

 

MFT Students Working in Schools 

All MFT students doing a traineeship at a public or private school are required to do the following:

  • Contact the appropriate office in the school district or private school.  As each school district has a unique set of operating guidelines, it is the responsibility of the student to understand and comply with district/school rules, regulations and guidelines applicable.
  • For students' protection and the protection of the school district, the children, and the University, students are required, prior to the beginning of the semester they will do the MFT traineeship (072-637) in a school, to provide the department with documentation that they have done live scan and are getting fingerprints clear.

Some agencies/centers/facilities/organizations may need a certificate of insurance from USF on behalf of students doing their fieldwork traineeship.  Should the student need such a certificate, please contact the University’s Human Resources Office at (415) 422-6707 and provide all necessary information so that the request may be processed.

Organization and Leadership (O&L)

Program details | 30 credits total 

Foundations | 6 credits
O&L 614 - Introduction to Organization and Leadership (3 credits)
O&L 698 Social and Cultural Theoretical Foundations (3 credits)

Research Methodology | 3 credits
GEDU 603 - Methodology of Educational Research (3 credits)

O&L Coursework - General or Focus Area | 12 credits
O&L 615 - Information Systems in Educational Management (3 credits)
O&L 621 - Budget and Finance (3 credits)

O&L 622 - Educational Law (3 credits)
O&L 624 - Human Resources in Educational Management (3 credits)
O&L 630 - Educational Leadership (3 credits)
O&L 635 - Anthropology of Education (3 credits)
O&L 652 - Data Based Decision Making for School Leaders (3 credits)
O&L 654 - School, Community and Society (3 credits)
O&L 658 - Culture and Work (3 credits)
O&L 661 - Organization Development and Learning (3 credits)
O&L 670 - Ethical Organization (3 credits)

Electives | 6 credits
Choose two elective courses drawn from the following based on program adviser approval:
Organization & Leadership courses
Special topics courses
Directed studies
Other School of Education department courses
Accepted transfer courses

Master's Field Project or Thesis | 3 credits
O&L 655 - Masters Field Project (3 credits)

Organization and Leadership (UC Berkeley Extension Students)

Program details | 30 credits total 

UCB Extension Certificate Program in Student Affairs/Higher Education courses have content equivalent to the following USF courses:

O&L 656 Student Development in College (3 credits)
O&L 741 American Institutions of Higher Education (3 credits)
O&L 744 Academic & Student Affairs (3 credits)
O&L 600 Elective course (3 credits)

All UCB Certificate courses (12 semester credits) would be accepted for transfer to USF. Admitted students would then complete the following 18 semester credits at USF to complete the Masters in Organization and Leadership degree.

To complete the Masters in Organization and Leadership degree, UCB students would take 6 USF courses (18 semester credits):

Foundation | 3 credits
O&L 614 - Introduction to Organization and Leadership (3 credits)

Research Methodology | 3 credits
GEDU 603 - Methodology of Educational Research (3 credits)

Concepts in Higher Education and Student Affairs | 6 credits O&L 622 Campus Environments & Cultures (3 credits)
O&L 663 Race, Diversity and Higher Education (3 credits)

Electives | 3 credits
Choose one elective courses drawn from the following based on program adviser approval:
Organization & Leadership courses
Special topics courses
Directed studies
Other School of Education department courses
Accepted transfer courses
Master's Field Project or Thesis | 3 credits
O&L 655 - Masters Field Project (3 credits)

To finish the program in a timely manner, it is essential that students carefully sequence their coursework. Many courses are only offered once a year.

Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)

Program details | 30 credits total

Foundations | 9 credits
IME 603 - Applied Linguistics (3 credits)
IME 632 - Structure of American English (3 credits)
And one of the following courses:
IME 602 - Research in Bilingualism and Bilingual Education (3 credits)
IME 610 - Sociology of Language (3 credits)
IME 611 - Language and Culture (3 credits)
IME 631 - Research in First and Second Language Acquisition (3 credits)
IME 634 - Assessment/Testing of Second Language Proficiency (3 credits)
IME 668 - Discourse, Pragmatics and Language Teaching (3 credits)

Methods | 9 credits
GEDU 603 - Methodology of Educational Research (3 credits)
IME 630 - Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages: Theory and Practice (3 credits)
IME 633 - Preparation and Evaluation of TESOL Materials (3 credits)

Social and Cultural Studies | 3 credits (select 1 course)
IME 604 - Global Perspectives on Education and Decolonization (3 credits)
IME 605 - Re-Conceptualizing Multicultural Education (3 credits)
IME 606 - Critical Analysis of Urban Schooling (3 credits)
IME 612 - Critical Race Theory and Praxis (3 credits)
IME 613 - Emotional Intelligence and Cultural Competency (3 credits)
IME 619 - Gender and Globalization (3 credits)
IME 620 - Human Rights Education (3 credits)
IME 624 - African American Educational History in the United States (3 credits)
IME 627 - Pan African Language and Culture (3 credits)
IME 635 - Latinos and Education (3 credits)
IME 639 - Cross Cultural Literacy (3 credits)
IME 640 - Immigration and Forced Displacement (3 credits)
IME 647 - Technology and Diverse Learners (3 credits)

TESOL Field Project | 3 credits
IME 638 - TESOL MA Thesis / Field Project (3 credits)
Electives | 6 credits
Courses to be selected in consultation with the advisor.