The Rossier School of Education offers five different master’s degree programs: Master of Science in Education; Master of Marriage and Family Therapy; Master of Science in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages; Master of Education, Postsecondary Administration and Student Affairs; and Master of Science, Education (Counseling Psychology).

The Rossier School of Education offers five different master’s degree programs: Master of Science in Education; Master of Marriage and Family Therapy; Master of Science in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages; Master of Education, Postsecondary Administration and Student Affairs; and Master of Science, Education (Counseling Psychology).

The Master of Science in Education concentration in learning and instruction is intended to educate and train professionals who are interested in improving learning and instruction in a variety of educational settings including formal school settings and informal environments such as zoos, museums and nature centers. Most of the students in the program are preparing for program development work, for example through curriculum development or improving school capacity in instructional technology. For some, the degree is the terminal teaching degree for the California public schools. For others, it is a step leading ultimately to the Ed.D. and a career in program development and administration, or the Ph.D.

The program for the Master of Marriage and Family Therapy is offered for those students seeking to prepare themselves for the practice of marriage, family and child counseling. The curriculum of the master’s program is grounded in the applications of the discipline of counseling psychology to clinical work with couples, families and children in the family context. Students who complete this specialized professional degree program and who fulfill the additional state-mandated requirements are eligible for the State of California’s Marriage, Family and Child Counseling license.

The Master of Science in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (MSTESOL) qualifies holders of this degree to teach English as a Second Language (ESL) or Foreign Language (EFL). Graduates of the program become teachers, curriculum specialists or administrators in ESL/EFL programs, mainly at the secondary, adult and college levels, both in the U.S. and abroad. The program also welcomes experienced primary school teachers who wish to broaden their understanding of language teaching and learning.

The Master of Education, Postsecondary Administration and Student Affairs provides current and prospective professionals working in various capacities within two-year, four-year and professional postsecondary institutions with the theoretical foundation and practical applications to excel in a variety of higher education administrative and student services positions (academic advising and support services, admissions, school relations, residential life, student activities, multicultural student affairs, and disabled student services and programming). Candidates for admission must hold a valid undergraduate degree from an accredited institution, a grade point average (undergraduate, or graduate if appropriate) of B (3.0) or better, GRE combined verbal and quantitative score of 1000 or above, and three letters of recommendation. An interview with the program director is recommended but not required. Special attention will be given to evidence of undergraduate student leadership experience and/or work experience in postsecondary administration.

The program for the Master of Science, Education (Counseling Psychology) is designed to develop a broad knowledge of the theoretical, philosophical and scientific foundations of the field of counseling psychology as well as practical skills in the application of counseling techniques.

Upon notification of admission to graduate study, students must arrange to talk with their assigned faculty advisor.

A program of studies form for the appropriate master’s degree is obtained from the Division of Student Affairs, Waite Phillips Hall 800. Together, the advisor and student plan a course of studies leading toward completion of degree requirements which is recorded on this form. Any changes in the program must be approved in advance in writing by the faculty advisor. Final approval of the program is based on a determination that all USC regulations and program requirements have been met. Students are encouraged to contact Student Affairs for advisement regarding university regulations and must submit the completed program form to that office during the first semester of enrollment.

The Degree Progress Department determines whether course work taken elsewhere is available for transfer credit. The available work is recorded on the Graduate Credit Statement prepared by that office.

The maximum number of transfer credits which may be applied toward a master’s degree requiring 28-32 units is four; eight units in programs requiring 33-40 units; 12 units in programs requiring 41 or more units. (Additional university regulations apply to students seeking a second master’s degree.)

Final transfer of graduate credit to be applied toward a degree is dependent upon approval of the student’s faculty advisor. The criteria used in approving available transfer credit are relevance to the program, recency, quality and grades earned.

An integral part of the requirements for the master’s degree is the completion of either a thesis (594ab) or the master’s seminar (593ab). Each division within the Rossier School of Education offers both, providing the student with the option of choosing either one. Registration in the a semester is prerequisite to the b semester. Concurrent registration in a and b is not permitted except by petition. Credit for 594ab is conditional upon satisfactory completion of the thesis.

A minimum of 28 units of acceptable graduate work in courses numbered 400 or higher is required. At least two-thirds of the units taken must be at the 500 or 600 level, not including 593 or 594, irrespective of the total number of units required.

The units are selected with school consent to develop some degree of proficiency in an educational specialty: administration, curriculum and teaching, deaf and hard of hearing, instructional technology, medical education, pupil personnel services (school psychology, school counseling), science education, or international and intercultural education. The school approves and monitors the course selection via a program of study which must be completed during the first semester of enrollment. Forms are obtained from and submitted to the Division of Student Affairs, WPH 800.

At least two-thirds of the units applied toward the degree (including transfer work and not including 593ab and 594ab) must be at the 500 level or higher. Each student will develop a program of study by the end of his or her first semester under advisement from a faculty member in the Division of Learning and Instruction. Students complete a master’s thesis/project while enrolled in EDHP 593ab or EDHP 594ab. A maximum of four transfer credit units may be applied.

The minimum requirement is 50 units of approved graduate courses numbered 400 or higher. A minimum of four semesters is required for completion of the degree program. Students must demonstrate an acceptable level of counseling proficiency (a grade of B (3.0) or better) in EDCO 560 Practicum in Counseling before being permitted to complete the master’s degree. (Students with little or no prior counseling experience are advised to audit the practicum course the first time it is taken. Two registrations for credit and one audit are permitted in EDCO 560.) Of the 50 units, the last 14 units must be completed at USC.

A minimum of 28 units of approved graduate-level course work is required. Of the 28, the last 14 units, and at least 24 units, must be completed at USC.

The program offers two tracks, one for typical non-native speakers who have not completely mastered the English Language (track 1: EFL) and one for native speakers and true bilinguals (track 2: ESL).

EDHP 510	Introduction to Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages	3
EDHP 511	Applied Linguistics for Language Teachers	3
EDHP 521	Course Design for Language Learning	3
EDHP 588	Practicum in Second Language Teaching	3
CTSE 593a	Master’s Seminar, and
EDHP 593b	Master’s Seminar, or
EDHP 594ab	Master’s Thesis	2-2
Courses required for Track 1: EFL		Units
EDHP 518	Teaching American English Pronunciation	3
EDHP 519	Teaching English Grammar	3
EDHP 585ab	English for Academic Purposes	3-3
Courses required for Track 2: ESL		Units
CTSE 537	Methods in Bilingual Education and in Teaching English as a Second Language	3
Any 3 of the following 5 courses:
CTSE 409	Foundations of Language Education	3
EDHP 518	Teaching American English Pronunciation	3
EDHP 519	Teaching English Grammar	3
EDHP 586	Teaching Reading and Writing in a Second Language for the Literate Student	3
EDPA 622	The Role of Education in Cultural Transmission	3

Program Requirements for the Master of Education, Postsecondary Administration and Student Affairs

Master’s degree candidates in Postsecondary Administration and Student Affairs must complete a minimum of 41 units of graduate course work. The 35 units of required courses are:

Required courses

Units

EDCO 500	The Counseling Process	3
EDHP 500	Foundations of Higher, Adult, and Professional Education	3
EDHP 551	Applied Educational Ethnography	3
EDHP 552	The Politics of Difference	3
EDHP 563	Student Affairs Work in College	3
EDHP 565	Intervention Strategies in College Student Development	3
EDHP 587	Field Work in Higher, Adult and Professional Education (41 total units is based on a student taking 1 unit of field work)	1-3
EDHP 593ab	Master’s Seminar, or
EDHP 594ab	Master’s Thesis	4
EDHP 657	Management of Student Services in Higher Education	3
EDHP 687	Student Development in Higher Education	3
EDPT 550	Statistical Inference	3

In addition, students choose 6 units from the following courses:

EDCO 548	Career Development: Theory and Practice	3
EDHP 502	Administration of Higher, Adult, and Professional Education	3
EDHP 503	Curriculum, Teaching, and Learning in Higher, Adult, and Professional Education	3
EDHP 580	The Community College	3
EDHP 621	International Higher Education: Administration and Planning	3
EDHP 658	Community College Administration	3
EDHP 679	Legal Issues in the Administration of Higher Education	3
EDHP 689	Fiscal Support and Expenditure in Higher and Postsecondary Education	3
EDPA 518	Organizational Theory	3

The minimum requirement is 40 semester units of acceptable graduate work in courses numbered 400 or higher. All work must have been completed during the five-year period immediately preceding the end of the semester during which all requirements are met. A minimum of four semesters is required for completion of the degree program. Students must demonstrate an acceptable level of counseling proficiency (a grade of B (3.0) or better) in EDCO 560 Practicum in Counseling before being permitted to complete the master’s degree. Two registrations for credit and one audit are permitted in EDCO 560. Students with little or no prior counseling experience are advised to audit the practicum course the first time it is taken.

The last 14 units, and at least 32 units of the 40 unit minimum, must be completed at USC. All candidates must complete the following required core sequence in counseling psychology.

Core sequence

Units

EDCO 500	The Counseling Process	3
EDCO 503	Seminar: Ethical and Legal Issues in Counseling	2
EDCO 541	Theories in Counseling Psychology I	3
EDCO 542	Group Counseling: Theory and Process	3
EDCO 544	Measurement Procedures in the Helping Process	3
EDCO 548	Career Development: Theory and Process	3
EDCO 560	Practicum in Counseling	3
EDCO 561	Field Work in Counseling	3
EDCO 593ab	Master’s Seminar, or
EDCO 594ab	Master’s Thesis	4
EDPT 550	Statistical Inference	3

All students are required to take courses appropriate to their specialty in addition to the core sequence in counseling. Two specializations are available for students in the Master of Science, Education (Counseling Psychology) program: college counseling and general specialization.

Application for the degree must be made during the semester preceding the one in which the student expects to receive the degree. The student must file diploma application cards with the Office of Student Services. The Degree Progress Department will prepare a Degree Requirement Summary reflecting any requirements remaining to be met.

The Community College Leadership Certificate program provides current and prospective community college instructors with course work on formal teaching methods, curriculum design, adult learning theory and other areas applicable to the instruction of adult students. Candidates for admission must hold a valid undergraduate degree from an accredited institution, a grade point average (undergraduate, or graduate if appropriate) of B (3.0) or better, and a favorable recommendation from the Division of Educational Administration and Policy. Special attention will be given to work experience in a community college or similar institution.

Certificate candidates must complete a minimum of 12 credits of graduate course work. Required courses include EDHP 503, EDHP 580, and EDPT 502. In addition, students choose three units from a select list of appropriate courses. Candidates must also complete a final review.

Certificate in the Management of College Student Services The Certificate in the Management of College Student Services provides professionals with a specialized competency in management and student development. Admission is open to professionals in higher education who wish to update their background and skills or to graduate students in the master’s or doctoral programs. Students must complete a graduate admission application and pay the application fee. Those wishing admission only to the certificate program do not need to take the Graduate Record Examinations. A letter of recommendation from the applicant’s current supervisor, as well as evidence of having completed a baccalaureate program at an accredited undergraduate institution are required.

The certificate consists of 15 units of graduate course work.

Students choose between these two options to fulfill the fifth course requirement:

The units earned in certification may later be applied to the degree program, but the candidate must apply for regular admission to the degree program (admission is not automatic) and submit scores for the GRE general test.