Counseling Program Requirements

Step 1: BA or BS Degree
Complete a Bachelor's degree with a minimum of 3.0 cumulative GPA (on a 4.0 scale) from an accredited university (or a minimum of 3.0 for all graduate work attempted).
Step 2: CBEST (School Counseling only)
Obtain a CBEST score if you are applying for School Counseling. Scores must be reported for admission to the program; passing scores are required prior to internships. CBEST registration, test information, and test preparation materials are available on the CBEST Web site: http://www.cbest.nesinc.com/index.asp
Step 3: Statistics
Successfully complete undergraduate or graduate course in Statistics within 5 years of application to the program with a grade of "C" or higher.
Step 4: Graduate Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR)
All graduate students who apply for a master's degree must demonstrate upper-division writing competency. If you transfer to CSUB from a college or university other than a CSU or a UC, you must show proof that you have satisfied this requirement. For more information about the GWAR, or to see if you are eligible to waive this requirement, visit http://www.csub.edu/testing/gwar.shtml
Step 5: University Application for Graduate Study
Submit a Graduate Application for Admission through the CSUB Admissions office (Student Services Building; phone 661/654-3036). On Part B of the application, designate code number 08261 for School Counseling or College Student Affairs and code number 802 for PPS only. The application may be submitted on-line at: http://www.csumentor.edu/AdmissionApp/
Step 6: Counseling Program Application
Obtain a CSUB Counseling Program Admissions Application, available on-line from the Advanced Education Department office (Education 238; phone 661/654-3055), or the Graduate Studies Office (Education 105; phone 661/654-3160). Submit the completed program application to the Graduate Studies Office in person (Education 105; phone 661/654-3160), or by mail:

California State University, Bakersfield
22 EDUC
9001 Stockdale Highway
Bakersfield, CA 93311
Attn: Maria Delgado

Application deadlines are:

  • October 15 for Winter Quarter
  • February 15 for Spring Quarter
  • April 15 for Fall Quarter
Step 7: Take courses prior to, or concurrent with, program admission
(Note: This option is available on a space available basis only)
Graduate students admitted to the university may "sample" courses prior to formal admission by the Educational Counseling Program. Please email Dr. Nancy Bringman (nbringman@csub.edu) if you wish to be added to the waiting list for any of the courses listed above.