Basic Skills Requirement for School Counseling and School Psychology

Applicants who are admitted to the School Counseling and School Psychology programs must demonstrate that they have met the Basic Skills Requirement (BSR) and have several ways to do so, as noted below. Admitted students will be required to submit official documentation as a condition of their admission, and cannot matriculate into the program if they have not met the BSR at the time of admission.

Applicants to the School Counseling and School Psychology programs will self-attest to meeting each of the three required sections of the Basic Skills Requirement when submitting program application materials on MyCED.

We have provided the Basic Skills Requirement Worksheet below to help guide you, or you may use the CTC's BSR Self-Assessment tool. 

 

Any combination of courses and scores is acceptable

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)
      • Coursework should be from the English or Math departments. Exceptions may be allowed with a letter from the department or registrar. Admitted students will be contacted to provide this documentation.

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: