EDCS Admissions

Application to the University

To apply to the Educational Counseling Program, candidates must submit a CSUB Admission Application through the CalState Apply website:

Apply on Cal State Apply

Apply to the Program

Thank you for your interest in the Educational Counseling Program at California State University, Bakersfield. To be considered for admission, applicants must submit both an application to the university and an application to the Educational Counseling Program. Applicants must meet all program requirements listed below. Admission requires a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university. For questions about the application process, please contact: Amani Hernandez, aalshaif@csub.edu, (661) 654-3193.

A complete Application will be uploaded here: 
Complete application must be submitted to one of the portals below: 
Student Affairs Program : Student Affairs Program Submittal Portal
School Counseling Program: School Counseling Program Submittal Portal  

Submit a completed MS-School Counseling/Student Affairs Program Application to the submittal portal in one PDF file.

Educational Counseling Program Application & Admissions Guidelines
Educational Counseling Program Application

Please upload copies of your unofficial transcripts. This is for the program application only.

Complete a Bachelor's degree with a minimum of 3.0 cumulative GPA (on a 4.0 scale) from an accredited university (Under special circumstances, provisional admission may be granted for applicants who do not meet the criteria. If provisionally admitted, a student must maintain a minimum of 3.0 graduate GPA after 12 or more semester units are completed).

Successful completion of an approved undergraduate/graduate course in statistics (preferred) or related mathematics/quantitative reasoning with a grade of “C” or higher.

A typewritten personal statement (2-4 pages). This statement should provide insight into you as a person and as a prospective professional counselor. Include the reasons you want to become a counselor, what you plan to do professionally after you earn your degree, and the reasons (academic and/or personal) why you should be chosen for admission into this Program.

A $30.00 non-refundable application fee must be submitted with your application to the credential program. Applicants should submit the receipt for this fee with their application. Applications will not be reviewed without the payment of this fee. 

How to Purchase the Credential Service Fee

Applicants must submit two recommendation forms. This form should be completed by an individual in a position to evaluate your professional dispositions such as a supervisor, or previous/current instructor. A relative may not make a recommendation.

Recommendation Form

Please submit forms to the Recommendation Submittal Portal

Certificate of Clearance Instructions (Main Campus)
Instruction on how to obtain a Certificate of Clearance through the CSUB Police Department.

Certificate of Clearance Instructions (Kern High School District)
Instruction on how to obtain a Certificate of Clearance through the Kern County High School District. 

Certificate of Clearance Instructions (Antelope Valley)
Instruction on how to obtain a Certificate of Clearance in the Antelope Valley.

Provide evidence of freedom from tuberculosis within the last four years. Your test must clearly indicate a negative result. You may complete this test at any health facility you wish. If you are currently enrolled at CSUB, you may contact Student Health Services at 661-654-2394, for a TB Test. This document must be submitted by March 1, 2025.

Applicants passing the initial screening may be contacted for faculty interviews.

Post-Admission Requirements

Liability Insurance
CSUB requires that you carry professional liability insurance during your field experience. The cost is $20 for the whole year. Professional liability insurance may be purchased online via myCSUB upon admission. Applicants who are admitted to the EDAD program must purchase this insurance prior to the start of the fall semester. Directions on how to pay here.

Basic Skills Requirements (School Counseling Only) 
The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing requires candidates for the administrative services credential to have demonstrated Basic Skills. As of July 29, 2024, holding a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education demonstrates the Basic Skills requirement.

Mandated Reporter Training Certificate
Applicants must complete a Mandated Reporter Training for School Personnel.
If you currently work for a school district and have completed Mandated Reporter Training (Child Abuse Training) you may submit a copy of a valid district certificate. 
Otherwise to complete the training go online to: https://mandatedreporterca.com/training/schoolpersonnel Please note: If you have never completed the General Training, you will be required to complete this first then the School Personnel Training. Make sure to print your certificate to include with your application and to provide as proof of completion as some districts may ask for it.  

You may check your admissions status online at MyCSUB. You will receive an email from CSUB Admissions and Records acknowledging receipt of your application along with your specific CSUB ID number and login instructions. Pay particular attention to any outstanding "to-do" list items that you need to complete.