Credential in Pupil Personnel Services, School Counseling

Become an Advocate and Guide for Your Students.

Program Offered In:
  • Online Programs

counselor

PPS Credential Overview

As a school counselor, the difference you make in a child’s life as a school counselor can last a lifetime. The PPS credential in school counseling certification program is designed for students with a master’s degree in the psychology, counseling, or education fields who want to pursue a career as a credentialed California school counselor in K–12 schools. The Pupil Personnel Service program will guide you on how to get the PPS credential for a rewarding career in school counseling and prepare you with the counseling skills you need to help students succeed in school and life.

CTC-Approved Curriculum

Our school counseling program is approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC).

Bridging Theory and Practice

Gain real-world experience with our internship credential opportunity. This qualifies you to work in California’s K-12 schools as a school counselor or a school social worker while completing your course requirements, ensuring you’re not just ready but also experienced.

Tailoring Your Path to Success

We understand that our students come from diverse educational and professional backgrounds. We put emphasis on an individualized education plan for you to be a successful pupil personnel worker. Whether you’re a current student, a recent graduate, or a professional with a related degree, we have a flexible option tailored for you.

Preparing You for Real-World Challenges

Our program is designed not just to educate but also to empower. You will display leadership in:

  • Data-Based Decision-Making and Accountability
  • Consultation and Collaboration
  • Effective Instruction and Development of Cognitive/Academic Skills
  • Socialization and Development of Life Skills
  • Student Diversity in Development and Learning
  • School and Systems Organization, Policy Development, and Climate
  • Prevention, Crisis Intervention, and Mental Health
  • Home/School/Community Collaboration
  • School Counseling Practice and Development
  • Information Technology

Learn from the Best

Our pupil personnel services department is composed of active professionals in pupil services as well as psychological services. They bring real-world insights into the classroom to fill your learning experience with practical knowledge and current trends in school counseling and student services.

Throughout the PPS credential program you’ll be taught by professors who are working professionals, eager to share their real-world experiences, challenges, and successes in the educational psychology field and professional clinical counseling practice. All educational counseling school personnel are committed to social justice and diversity, which is evident in their activities within the community.

When outside the classroom, you’ll often find your professors working with community organizations and underserved populations, engaging in school social work practice, providing support and services, and putting their efforts towards making positive change. When an expert is needed for commentary on television or radio on the subject of school counseling and social development, you’ll often find one of your professors on the air.  

Pupil Personnel Services Credential Information

Online Programs

Alliant has been an early leader in online education, and our teacher credentialing programs are designed with both full-time students and busy, working individuals in mind.

Practical Application

Our practicum, which includes a practicum course completed online and practicum hours completed at a school site, is integral to the school counseling program and provides you with 100 hours of Practicum and 800 hours of Internship.

Hands-on Faculty

Faculty are working professionals in educational counseling and mental health with lived experience, and small class sizes ensure you get focused and individualized attention.

Admissions

Learn About Admissions Requirements

Faculty

Get to Know Our Diverse Faculty

Pupil Personnel Services Credential Information

PPS Online Program Learning Outcomes/Goals

The Pupil Personnel Services certificate is a specialized credential that qualifies professionals to work as counselors within the school district. This credential equips individuals with the necessary skills and knowledge to support the students in their  academic, career, and personal development.

  1. Use educational systems, theories, and standards to drive their counseling program as a school psychologist, focusing on campus safety as well the students’ personal, academic, career, and social development.
  2. Provide direct and indirect services, incorporating counseling theories and career knowledge to support child welfare and ensure a comprehensive counseling program available to all in the school district.
  3. Demonstrate leadership qualities by advocating, collaborating, and implementing a comprehensive counseling program through self-evaluation, advisory councils, data collection, action planning, and program management.
  4. Understand the importance of data-driven counseling programs as an education specialist, employing sampling, methodology, and analysis to report on school profiles and student outcomes, aligning with the ASCA National Model’s emphasis on achieving measurable results.  

Links and Downloads

School Performance Fact Sheet

woman with special education teaching credential standing in front of students

In my experience with Alliant, it was very clear from the start that there was a commitment to education being the great equalizer. I feel like I got tools through my learning at Alliant that are allowing me to become a better teacher and reach out to everyone in my classrooms.”

Evelyn Serrano | CSOE Alumna