Support Page Content
Annual Application Process
Our Program
Thank you for your interest in the MS in Counseling Program at Sac State. Our program is highly competitive with an average acceptance rate of less than 20%. Each year we have a large number of highly qualified applicants, yet can only accept approximately 20 applicants per concentration in each application cycle. Accepted students are admitted to the fall semester only. Students take courses each fall and spring semester. The final year culminates with an internship experience and a comprehensive examination.
We are a CACREP-accredited, 3-year, full time (12 units per semester), in-person program for a Masters of Science in Counseling, with emphasis in one of four concentrations:
- Career Counseling;
- Marriage, Couple, & Family Counseling (MCFC);
- Rehabilitation Counseling; and
- School Counseling.
In addition, we are designed as a cohort model which guides students through the program via a designated course sequence.
Tuition rates for our program are set by CSU and change slightly each year – for information on both student tuition and fees, please see the CSU future tuition costs page. Costs to attend 3 years of our program cost approximately $30,000.
For more information about the following topics, please visit our About the Program sections of our website:
- Details on the four concentrations
- Program format, accreditation, & course sequence
- Licensing and credentials – the options and process
- Internship partnerships
- Student organizations
Key Dates for the Application
Information Night
For more information about our program, join our Information Night held each fall semester in early Fall. If you were unable to attend live, please view our Information Night Recording video, posted in the "Information Night Video" section.
To register for the event on September 27th (4-6pm) via Zoom, please click here
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| September 3, 2024 | Counseling Student Ambassadors begin their availability for meetings with potential students (meetings available until early spring) |
| September 27, 2024 | Information Night (4-6pm via Zoom) |
| October 1, 2024 | Applications open on CSU Apply |
| January 13, 2025 | Application due through CSU Apply |
| January 16-30, 2025 | Review of applicant materials (primary screening) |
| January 31, 2025 | Invites sent to select applicants |
| February 28, 2025 | Interview Day |
| March 15, 2025 | Program decision recommendations finalized |
| March - May 2025 | Office of Graduate Studies decisions finalized |
Information Night Video
Interview Day
Our program uses a holistic evaluation process which includes two screening processes. The first is a review of applicant materials. For the second, we invite a select number of applicants for Interview Day. While our primary screening is a review of submitted materials, our secondary screening is an in-person evaluation that consists of an interview with faculty, a group activity, tour, and writing prompt for which we will identify admits. Please note that Interview Day is a full-day interactive experience with faculty and students – as such there are no alternative dates or methods for students who cannot attend. If interested in our program, we recommend saving the date on your calendar. Please see below for a video of our 2024 Interview Day.
Interview Day Video Coming Soon
How to Apply
We have provided a reference document to use during your application process – please read this in detail and refer to it frequently during your application process:
2024-2025 Application Cycle Instructions
These additional pages may be of help to you:
Questions & Support
| Type of Support Needed | Who to Contact |
|---|---|
| General questions about the program | - Ambassadors & FAQ - coe-counselored@csus.edu |
| Questions about experiences in the program or concentrations | Counseling Ambassadors |
| Questions about the Cal State Apply application | - grad_admissions@csus.edu - Future Graduate Students page |
| Questions about a submitted application or the program-specific application materials | - coe-grad@csus.edu |