Santa Clara University

Education and Counseling Psychology

The minimum number of graduate units of credit required for the Master’s degree
is 45 for education and 51 for counseling psychology. Specific program course and
graduation requirements are described in the individual Department sections of this
Bulletin. For the Master’s degree and the teaching and services credential programs,
the candidate must maintain at least a 3.0 grade point average.

Credential Requirements

To be eligible for recommendation to the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing
for a teaching or service credential, candidates must have the following on
file in the Graduate Services Office:
1. Transcript reflecting the successful completion of all required coursework;
2. All CTC authorization requirements specific to credential being sought;
3. Completed Petition for Credential Recommendation. Information on Credential
requirements is available from the Graduate Services Office

Graduate Program in Pastoral Ministries General Requirements

A graduate degree in Catechetics, Pastoral Liturgy, or Spirituality requires 60 units
of coursework or 56 units of coursework and a four-unit thesis in the field of specialization.
For the Master’s of Arts degree in Liturgical Music, each student completes 60
units of coursework including a 2-unit recital.

All degree candidates must take a course from each of the six core areas: Foundational
Theology, Christology, Ecclesiology, Ethics, Hebrew Bible, and New Testament.
Students are encouraged to take these core courses early in their program since the
principles and methods taught in these courses are presumed in the foundational and
elective courses in each field of specialization.

In addition to the six core courses, all degree candidates are required to take four
foundational courses in their major area and five advanced electives (or four advanced
electives and a thesis).

A total of 9 quarter units (6 semester units) may, with the proper documentation
approval, be transferred from another graduate institution.

General Information

All requirements for any degree or credential in the School of Education, Counseling
Psychology, and Pastoral Ministries must be completed within five years. Requests
for an extension beyond this period must be submitted in writing to the
student’s department and the Graduate Services Office for approval.

Candidates for a master’s degree must submit their petition to graduate paperwork
with the Graduate Services Office, 243 Bannan Hall, by the following dates:

• December Graduation (completion of course work during fall term): Form due
October 8
• March Graduation (completion of course work during winter term): Form due
January 1
• June Graduation (completion of course work during spring term): Form due
March 1
• September Graduation (completion of course work during summer term): Form
due June 24

The following documents must be submitted:

• Petition to Graduate Form (available online or from Graduate Services)
• Completed Program Review including signature of academic advisor (available
online or from Graduate Services)

Candidates who fail to meet all requirements for graduation in the term specified
must file a new Petition to Graduate form and Program Review form.
Questions regarding Commencement exercises should be referred to the Office of
Student Life at 408-554-4583