Career Counseling

Why Career Counseling at Sac State?

The Career Counseling specialization prepares counselors to support individuals across the lifespan with career development, career decision-making, employment, work-life transitions, and the personal and contextual factors that influence career choice and development. Students develop counseling, assessment, advocacy, consultation, program development, and career-development competencies for work with individuals, groups, organizations, and communities.

Career counselors may work in settings such as colleges and universities, workforce and employment programs, community agencies, schools, private practice, government, business and industry, and other career-development settings. Sacramento State's catalog similarly describes preparation for work in community-based agencies, K-12 schools, colleges and universities, private practice, business, industry, and government.

The Career Counseling curriculum integrates the shared counseling core with specialized preparation in career development theory, career assessment, occupational and labor-market information, career counseling interventions, program development, advocacy, and culturally responsive career practice.

Licensure & Professional Credentials

The Career Counseling course of study has been evaluated to meet the educational requirements for the California Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) pathway. The current Sacramento State catalog identifies the M.S. in Counseling as meeting California's educational requirements for LPCC licensure.

Graduates may also pursue voluntary professional credentials related to counseling and career development, including the National Certified Counselor (NCC), Certified Career Counselor (CCC), and Global Career Development Facilitator (GCDF), subject to the eligibility requirements established by the respective credentialing organizations.

CACREP Accreditation

Sacramento State's Career Counseling specialization is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). CACREP currently lists the specialization as accredited through March 31, 2029.

CACREP Career Counseling Program Listing

How to Apply

Annual Application Process

Key Dates for 2026-2027 Admission Cycle (Fall 2027 start date) - for more details, see our Application Timeline page of our website.


September 24, 2026	Information Night (4-6pm via Zoom)
September 28, 2026	Counseling Ambassadors begin their availability for meetings
October 1, 2026	Applications open on Cal State Apply website -We suggest immediately starting the recommendation form process in October
December 1, 2026	*Recommended Deadline for Applicants with Foreign Transcripts (Study Abroad, Foreign Degrees) to work with OGS* - see the “Applicants with Foreign Documents” page on the OGS website.
January 8, 2027	*Priority Deadline* - Application due through Cal State Apply by 9pm PST (including ALL supplemental materials and ALL completed recommendations -- applications must be complete to be considered for the priority deadline)
January 15, 2027 (9pm PST)	*General & Final Deadline* - Application due through Cal State Apply by 9pm PST (including ALL supplemental materials and ALL completed recommendations) No incomplete or late applications will be reviewed for admission. Due to university policy, no exceptions for late admissions can be made. There are no early or rolling decisions available.
January 19-28, 2027	Faculty review of applicant materials (primary screening)
January 29, 2027	Invitations sent to select applicants for Interview Day Event. See the Interview Day section of our Admissions timeline page for more details.
February 12, 2027	Interview Day Event (SAVE THE DATE - in-person secondary screening; no alternative dates or format; more information below)
March 15, 2027	Professional Clinical Counseling Program decision recommendations finalized: - Decision recommendations sent to Office of Graduate Studies for final approval - Applicants notified of Program's recommended decision
March - May 2027	Office of Graduate Studies (OGS) decisions finalized: - Students notified of official decision by OGS - Students must submit their Intent to Enroll with OGS within two weeks of OGS admissions offer – check your email for emails from OGS and Student Center.

Degree Requirements & Course Information

The Sacramento State Academic Catalog provides the official Career Counseling degree requirements, including the 60-unit program structure, required counseling core, Career Counseling specialization courses, practicum, internship, and culminating experience.

Sacramento State Catalog — M.S. in Counseling, Career Counseling

Application Instructions

Frequently Asked Questions