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College Counseling and Student Development, MS

Study College Counseling and Student Development, MS at Azusa Pacific University

You’ll graduate prepared to work as a student affairs educator whose special interest is college students and the environments that affect their development as scholar-students. You’ll gain fieldwork experience through internships, conduct research, and graduate ready to lead.

Program at a Glance

The School of Behavioral Sciences equips students for compassionate leadership in fields like physical therapy, social work, and psychology, guided by experienced faculty and hands-on learning.

Upcoming Events

Dates coming soon

Application Deadline

  • Traditional: January 15 (priority)

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Program Information

  • Program Units: 45
  • Cost per Unit: $835
  • Base Cost: $37,575*

Location

  • Azusa (Main Campus)
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Yellow Ribbon and Military Friendly School

Professionals socializing

Gain Hands-on Experience

  • Develop visionary leadership and foster student learning.
  • Facilitate effective campus and community relationships.
  • Develop skills in pluralism, inclusion, and justice.
  • Apply classroom learning to supervised fieldwork in a college or university.
  • Graduate in two-years as a full-time student from our on-campus program.

By the Numbers

1 of 126 Best Western Colleges according to Princeton Review's 2023 Best Colleges Guide
10 :1 Student-to-faculty ratio

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Program Details

The Master of Science in College Counseling and Student Development program prepares student affairs professionals who work effectively with college students at a diversity of institutions. The program encourages students to integrate their academic learning with their life experience in order to grow personally and professionally. The curriculum is based on developing competence in 10 areas through academic coursework, internship experience, and research opportunities.

Browse the tabs below—if you have questions, visit the Student Services Center page, and we’ll make sure you get the info you need.

Application Deadline

Traditional: January 15 (priority)

Applications will continue to be accepted through the summer as space permits. Contact your admissions representative for details.

Those who have completed applications by the deadline, if admitted, will have the opportunity to come to campus in early spring to interview for on-campus assistantships.

Admission Requirements—Domestic Applicants

The university graduate and program admission requirements below must be met before an application is considered complete.

Applicants must submit:

  • Graduate application for admission
  • $45 nonrefundable application fee
  • Official transcripts from all institutions leading to and awarding the applicant’s bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution and all postbaccalaureate study

    An official transcript is one that Azusa Pacific University receives unopened in an envelope sealed by the former institution and that bears the official seal of the college or university. A cumulative minimum 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) grade-point average on the posted degree is required for regular admission status. Provisional admittance may be granted to individuals with a lower GPA if competency can be shown through multiple measures.
  • Personal statement
  • 3-5 pages (double-spaced)
  • Describe your education goals, and short- and long-term professional goals
  • Address career objectives, current interests, and your reason(s) for applying to the program
  • Help us understand what makes you uniquely suited for this program, and what makes you stand out
  • Describe why you are interested specifically in APU’s CCSD program, and how your personal values and beliefs connect to the APU mission and CCSD program core values and beliefs
  • Résumé or statement of experience
  • Two letters of recommendation from those who can speak to your academic and/or professional interests, aptitude, and potential; these should come from a professor and/or an employer who have current knowledge of your academic ability and potential. Note: The employer recommendation should be from a student affairs professional.

Send official transcripts to:

Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions
Azusa Pacific University
PO Box 7000
Azusa, CA 91702-7000
gpadmissions@apu.edu

What to Expect

After all admission materials have been received by the Student Services Center, the faculty or department chair reviews the applicant’s file. The applicant is notified in writing of the admission decision.

Upon admission to the program, a nonrefundable deposit of $250 will be due to secure your place in the next cohort. This deposit will be applied to your student account. If you do not register for courses or attend classes, the deposit will be forfeited.

Admission Requirements—International Applicants

Azusa Pacific University is authorized under federal law by the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services and the U.S. Department of State to enroll nonimmigrant, alien undergraduate and graduate students. APU issues and administers both the I-20 and DS 2019 (F-1 and J-1 status documents respectively).

To apply for a graduate program at APU, the following requirements must be fulfilled in addition to meeting the domestic applicant and program-specific admission requirements specified above.

International applicants must also:

  • Demonstrate proficiency in English through a placement test with the Academic Success Center, or through a TOEFL/IELTS score that meets program-specific requirements. Refer to APU’s English proficiency requirements to learn more. Request that official test scores be sent to APU. All other forms of proof indicated in the English proficiency requirements must be submitted directly to International Services.
  • Provide a Graduate Affidavit of Financial Support (PDF) and a bank statement from within the last six months proving financial ability to pay for education costs through personal, family, or sponsor resources.
  • Submit a copy of a valid passport showing biographical data, including your name, country of citizenship, date of birth, and other legal information.
  • Get foreign transcripts evaluated. International credentials (transcripts, certificates, diplomas, and degrees) must be evaluated by a foreign transcript evaluation agency. View our policy and a list of approved Foreign Transcript Evaluation Agencies.

Send official transcripts to:

Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions
Azusa Pacific University
PO Box 7000
Azusa, CA 91702-7000
gpadmissions@apu.edu

What to Expect

After all admission materials have been received by the Student Services Center, the faculty or department chair reviews the applicant’s file. The applicant is notified in writing of the admission decision.

Delivering high-quality graduate programs takes a comprehensive support system. Your investment in an advanced degree includes those services and personnel that partner with you in pursuit of higher education. Below is a detailed breakdown of the fees associated with the benefits and services included in your degree program.

Tuition
  Cost
College Counseling and Student Development, MS (per unit) $835
Audit (per unit) half-price tuition

View a complete list of university fees.

Please note that the listed mandatory fees are not applicable to this degree program.

All stated financial information is subject to change. Contact the Student Services Center at (626) 815-2020 for more information.

Financial Aid

Several types of financial aid are available to graduate students. The resources range from federal loans and state grants to, for some graduate programs, fellowships and scholarships. For details about financial aid available for your program, please contact the Student Services Center at (626) 815-2020.

Military Benefits

Military members—and in some cases their spouses and dependents—qualify for financial assistance covering tuition, housing, and books. Azusa Pacific is a Yellow Ribbon University and Military Friendly School, so you can be confident that you’ll receive the benefits and flexibility you need to complete your education.

Program-Specific Aid

Master of Science in College Counseling and Student Development students are eligible for consideration for APU graduate assistantships valued at up to $7,000 for first-year students and up to $7,500 for second-year students. Students are also eligible for consideration for a program-funded scholarship. Graduate assistants are required to enroll in 6 units each semester, and must complete 600 supervised fieldwork hours in a department or program on campus. For more information, contact the program

To view specific requirements and coursework information, visit the current academic catalog:

If you have questions, we’re here to help! Connect with a representative who can walk you through the program details and application process.

Contact Your Admissions Representative

Department of Higher Education

Phone

(626) 815-5349

Mail

Department of Higher Education
Azusa Pacific University
PO Box 7000
Azusa, CA 91702-7000

Student Services Center

Contact (626) 812-3016 or admissions@apu.edu, and visit apu.edu/ssc for details on the admissions process, financial aid, and class registration.

International Services

International students should contact +1-626-812-3055 or international@apu.edu, and visit apu.edu/international/.

  • Azusa Pacific University is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).
  • APU’s College Counseling and Student Development Program meets Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education (CAS) standards.

Featured Faculty

Christina Lunceford

Christina Lunceford

Associate Professor, Department of Higher Education

Mari Luna De La Rosa

Mari Luna De La Rosa

Associate Professor, Department of Higher Education

Jeannine Kranzow

Jeannine Kranzow

Professor, Department of Higher Education

Career Outlook and Outcomes

Prospective students

Prospective Students Find Belonging at APU

APU alumnus Bryan Bowens, EdD ’14 brought a group of Kern County students to APU as part of Project BEST (Black Excellence in Scholarship and Teaching) for them to learn more about the difference a college degree can make in their lives.

Note: This information is current for the 2024-25 academic year; however, all stated academic information is subject to change. Refer to the current Academic Catalog for more information.
 
*Base Cost (cost per unit x program units) is provided to aid in program comparison only.
All stated financial information is subject to change. View Tuition tab above.

Related Programs

School Psychology, EdS, with embedded Educational Psychology, MAEd, and School Psychology Credential

  • Azusa
  • Orange County

Available Concentrations:

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Clinical and Educationally Related Mental Health Counseling