School Counselor Residency Program

Join a collaborative community of aspiring educators in this affordable and supportive pathway to a California Pupil Personnel Services Credential in School Counseling!

Program Details

The Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE) School Counselor Residency Program, in partnership with University of Massachusetts (UMass) Global, is a comprehensive 18-month program designed to transform school counseling preparation. This program combines exceptional academic training with hands-on clinical practice, personalized mentorship, and credential coursework to prepare the next generation of highly skilled and dedicated school counselors. Residents will earn a Master of Arts in Counseling, a Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) Credential in School Counseling, and a Child Welfare and Attendance (CWA) authorization.

Focused on meeting the unique needs of students in the local community, the program emphasizes academic success, mental health, and social-emotional well-being. Through mentorship and practical experience, we aim to empower aspiring counselors to enhance student outcomes while fostering their professional growth and well-being. By investing in these future leaders, we are shaping school counselors who will drive meaningful change in schools, provide lasting support, and create a positive impact on the communities they serve.

Financial Assistance

School Counselor Residents receive a $25,000 stipend, which is distributed in installments throughout the duration of the program. In return, residents agree to secure counseling employment at a public school in Santa Clara County and serve for a minimum of four years after earning their PPS Credential.

UMass Global is offering a 25% discount on tuition for students enrolled in the SCCOE School Counselor Residency program, helping to further reduce program costs.

Who are the Best Candidates for this Program?

This program is designed for individuals who are passionate about becoming school counselors and hold a Bachelor's degree. Strong candidates may include—but are not limited to—those currently working in roles such as:

Behavioral Support Specialists
School Attendance Officers
After-School Program Coordinators
College and Career Advisors
Mental Health Technicians
Youth Tutors or Mentors
Academic Interventionists
Community Outreach Workers

Program Benefits

Practical Experience: Residents will work alongside a Mentor Counselor on campuses for an entire academic year. As the program progresses, residents will take on increasing responsibilities, ensuring they are well-prepared to enter the profession upon completion.
Credential Classes:Residents take online coursework through UMass Global.
Cohort Model: Residents learn and grow together through a supportive cohort structure focused on collaboration, reflection, and skill-building.
High-Quality Mentorship: Residents receive continuous guidance and support from dedicated Mentor Counselors, carefully chosen for their expertise and passion for the profession. Each resident is paired with an experienced School Counselor who offers hands-on coaching, models best practices, and upholds the highest professional standards, fostering both personal and professional growth.
Job Application Coaching: As part of the Residency Program’s Service Commitment, residents are provided with extensive job application support, including resume review and mock interview preparation sessions.

Coursework

The Master's Degree in Counseling consists of 48 graduate units. In addition to hands-on clinical practice and mentorship with a Mentor Counselor, residents are required to complete credential coursework online through UMass Global, our partner Institute of Higher Education (IHE) for the School Counselor Residency Program.

Residency Placements

Placements are guided by residents' preferences; however, they are contingent upon the availability of trained Mentor School Counselors at school sites. Our commitment is to ensure that every resident receives a supportive, enriching experience that equips them for a successful career in School Counseling.

Currently, we have partnerships with the following districts for placements during the residency program:

Berryessa Union School District
Cambrian School District
Cupertino Union School District
Fremont Union High School District
Gilroy Unified School District
Morgan Hill Unified School District
Mount Pleasant School District
Mountain View Whisman School District
Oak Grove School District
Palo Alto Unified School District
Santa Clara Unified School District

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Do I need to have counseling experience to apply for the School Counselor Residency Program??
TSchool counselor residency programs are designed for individuals who are new to counseling but passionate about entering the profession. Some candidates have worked in school settings with students previously but this is not required.
Why do I need to submit two applications?
The School Counselor Residency Program is a collaboration between UMass Global (an Institute of Higher Education) and SCCOE (a Local Education Agency). Each organization has its own specific admissions requirements because they play different roles in the residency program. Additionally, submitting two separate applications helps protect your personal data and privacy, as we don’t share information between the organizations without your consent.
Do I get to choose who my mentor counselor will be in the program?
No. SCCOE works with partner districts to match residents and mentors based on a variety of factors, including mentor availability, city of residence, and employment status. Residents are not encouraged to seek out their own mentors. If you are currently a staff member at one of our partnering school districts, SCCOE will try to work with your district to match you with a mentor who meets CTC Mentor Requirements.
What is a resident's obligation to the state of California?
Counselor candidates who complete the residency program are required to provide counseling services in a Santa Clara County public school district for a minimum of four (4) full years within eight (8) years of obtaining their PPS credential. If a resident is unable to secure employment in Santa Clara County, they must fulfill this service commitment in another public school district within California.

Applying to the School Counselor Residency Program

Application Process Overview

The Santa Clara County Office of Education’s School Counselor Residency Program, in partnership with UMass Global has a two-part application process.

To be admitted into the program, applicants must be accepted by both SCCOE and UMass Global. For those interested in the program, please carefully review all admission requirements, for both SCCOE and UMass Global.

It is recommended that you apply to UMass Global only after receiving contingent admittance to the SCCOE School Counselor Residency Program.

Eligibility Requirements

Bachelor's Degree from an accredited institution or foreign equivalent
Enrollment in UMass Global’s School Counseling Program is not required to apply but must be completed before the program begins.
Openness to feedback and continuous improvement
Willingness to actively participate in a school community

1. Apply for the SCCOE's School Counselor Residency Program

Documents needed for SCCOE’s School Counselor Residency Program application:

Resume
2 Letters of Reference
Unofficial Transcripts showing BA/BS conferral

Apply Now

2. Learn More About the School Counselor Residency Program at UMass Global

Start your journey by reviewing the application requirements and cost of attendance for the School Counselor Residency Program at UMass Global. If you have any questions or need personalized guidance, UMass Global specialists are here to help:

Anjelica Frausto
anjelica.frausto@umassglobal.edu
Erika Saito
lorine.saito@umassglobal.edu

Please note that their application requirements and deadlines likely differ from those of SCCOE.

SCCOE Home

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School Counselor Residency Program

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Progr​am Details​

​​​​​​​Financial Assistance​​

​Who are the Best Ca​nd​idates for this Program?

Program Benefits​​

​Cou​rsework

​Residency Placements​

Frequently Asked Quest​ions (FAQs)