Basic Skills Requirement for School Counseling and School Psychology

Any combination of courses and scores is acceptable

Degree

• Earning a degree from a regionally accredited institution. 

Coursework

• Coursework in reading, writing, and mathematics as outlined below:
  • Reading: must be in the subject of critical thinking, literature, philosophy, reading, rhetoric, or textual analysis (typically found in CSU General Education category A3)
  • Writing: must be in the subject of composition, English, rhetoric, written communications, or writing (typically found in CSU General Education category A2)
  • Mathematics: must be in the subject of algebra, geometry, mathematics, quantitative reasoning, or statistics (typically found in CSU General Education category B4)
  • Acceptable Coursework must meet these criteria:
    • “B-“ or better (Pass/Credit also acceptable)
    • Completed at a Regionally Accredited college or university
    • 3 semester units (or 4 quarter units) of college credit
    • Degree applicable (not remedial)
    • A course that does not fall within the indicated areas may still qualify with an additional letter of explanation. The letter must be from the registrar or the department chair that oversees the Mathematics or English department, as applicable. The letter must state that a course passed by the applicant covered reading, writing, or mathematics. Such a letter could also attest that a single course sufficiently indicates proficiency in reading and writing combined. NOTE: This step would only be required for admitted students.

Test Scores

• Pass the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST) – total scaled score of 123 or above
• Pass the CSET: Multiple Subject Plus Writing Skills Examination – passing status
• Pass the CSU Early Assessment Program or the CSU Placement Examinations
  • See Appendix A, Table 1 of CL-667; Please note: as of 9/30/19, duplicate scores no longer available
• Achieve Qualifying Score on the SAT
  • Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: exam date 3/1/16-present, score of 560 or above, exam date prior to 2/28/16, score of 500 or above on Critical Reading (or Verbal)
  • Math: exam date 3/1/16-present, score of 570 or above, exam date prior to 2/28/16, score of 550 or above
• Achieve Qualifying Score on the ACT
  • Score of 22 or above on the ACT English exam
  • Score of 23 or above on the ACT Mathematics exam
• College Board Advanced Placement (AP) Examinations
  • Score of 3 or above on one of the following: English Language and Composition, or English Literature and Composition
  • Score of 3 or above on one of the following: Calculus AB, Calculus BC, or Statistics
     
• Pass a Basic Skills Examination from Another State – Out-of-State Basic Skills Exams Guide
• For detailed information of CTC approved options, please click on the following links:
  • CTC Basic Skills Requirement Leaflet CL-667
  • Focused information on using a combination of coursework and examinations