How to Apply

Overview

1. University and Program Application 

2. Transcripts 

Submit official copies of transcripts for all previous college work 

  • Stan State Alumni, who have not attended elsewhere since graduation, do not need to submit new transcripts 

Official transcripts from each college attended (including in-progress) must be sent electronically to CAPEtranscripts@csustan.edu. If your college does not have an electronic transcript option, please mail your transcript to:

Stanislaus State
ATTN: Continuing and Professional Education, MSR 380
One University Circle
Turlock, CA 95382

3. Personal Statement 

  • A typed statement (maximum of 2 pages, double-spaced, single-sided, minimum 12-point font, and 1-inch margins) indicating your suitability for the Counselor Education Program, your future work as a counselor, and your experience working with youth/adults as related to counseling. Expand on what counseling attributes you possess.  
  • Applicants are not allowed to use ANY form of generative AI (Artificial Intelligence) in writing their personal statements; our scanning programs will reveal high probabilities of any suspect statements.  
  • When writing about past challenges in your life, please take special care to include what you have done to help overcome those challenges. We want to get a good sense of your strengths and aptitude for the demanding counseling profession.  

Please put your name and “Dual Concentration” on the top of the statement. 

Scoring Rubric: 
  • Applicant’s rationale for pursuing a career in counseling. 
  • Applicant’s involvement helping and/or working with others (include volunteer work).  
  • Grammar and spelling are essential. 

4. Certificate of Clearance 

  • Apply for a Certificate of Clearance (unless you already hold a valid teaching credential, or valid substitute permit). 
    • Step 1: Print out Live Scan form and take it to University Police Dept for fingerprints.
    • Step 2: Apply for the Certificate of Clearance through the Commission on Teacher Credentialing.

      Clearance must be granted, and a copy attached to application. 

5. Recommendation Forms 

  • Two recommendations from professionals are required. The recommendation form link can be sent to faculty members with whom you have studied, employers for whom you have worked, or others who are able to evaluate your potential for graduate level study in the field of Counseling. 

Please DO NOT request more than two recommendations, as any extra forms will be randomly discarded.  

Click here to access the form

Scoring Rubric: 
  • Speaks of applicant’s counselor attributes. 
  • Knowledge of applicant’s related human service or volunteer work.  
  • Level of recommendation (i.e., highly recommends). 
Note to Applicants: 

If you are a current student, and feel your Fall grades will raise your GPA, it is suggested you wait to apply through CalState until after your Fall grades have posted. You do not submit any test scores or letters of recommendation via CalState Apply. You do not have to write a Statement of Purpose on CalState Apply, as we have our own required statement.