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MA in Counseling Residencies

Residency Information

As part of the MA Counseling degree requirement, two in-person residencies are required for distance-learning (online) students. These residencies will require students to make their way to the Bay Area for a week of intensive experiential learning/training with peers and faculty on counseling and clinical skills development.

These residencies will help to enhance your clinical skills, will provide opportunities for meaningful interactions with faculty, staff, and students, and will be crucial benchmarks in your journey to becoming a professional counselor.

Residency Dates and Locations

Winter 2024

March 4-8, 2024

Deadline to Register is  February 18, 2024

For Cohort Groups DL 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D

  • RESD 600-Residency I (5 days) at Sonesta-San Jose - REGISTER BELOW

For Cohort Groups DL 18C, 18D

  • RESD 601-Residency II (5 days) at Sonesta-Silicon Valley - REGISTER BELOW


Summer 2024

August 5-9, 2024

More information is forthcoming - Check back later.
 

August 5-9, 2024 (DL 21A, 21B, 21C)

  • RESD 600 - Residency I (5 days)  LOCATION TBD

August 5-9, 2024 (DL 19A, 19B, 20A, 20B, 20D)

  • RESD 601 - Residency II (5 days) LOCATION TBD


Book Your Room (Conference rate)

Sonesta San Jose
777 Bellew Drive, Milpitas, CA 95035

Sonesta Silicon Valley
1820 Barber Lane, Milpitas, CA 95035

Sonesta San Jose (Residency I) Sonesta Silicon Valley (Residency II)

FAQs

What are the closest airports to the residency location?

The two closest airports to our residency location are​ San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC). There is free transportation via Lyft Business provided by the Sonesta from SJC.

 


What are my travel days?

Students participating in RESD600 and RESD601 in the Winter 2024 term will need to travel to the Residency on Sunday, March 3rd and plan to leave after 1:00 PM Pacific time on Friday, March 8th or anytime on Saturday, March 9th.

 


What costs will I need to cover?

Students will be required to cover their own travel costs, accommodations, food, and transportation (if applicable) to the residency. 


Can I book a room with my classmate(s)?

If you make plans to share a room with one of your cohort members, that is certainly fine! Just be sure to pick the double room option when you book your room at the Sonesta.

If you do not know another student attending the residency well, we do not recommend students sharing a room or suite.


What amenities are available for me?

Our venues for Residency I will be at the Sonesta San Jose and Residency II will be at the Sonesta Silicon Valley. The Sonesta provides free transportation via Lyft Business to and from the San Jose Airport, and can help arrange other forms of paid transportation to nearby restaurants and shopping malls.

Both hotels have a swimming pool, exercise facility, restaurant, and several indoor and outdoor meet-and-greet spaces.

Please check out the hotel website for information and amenities, but be sure to use the provided links to book your rooms so you are identified as being there for Residency and are getting the conference rate.


Besides booking a room for these residencies, do I also need to register on the portal?

Students will register for this course on the PAU Student Portal once registration is open. 


Will there be weekly Zoom classes along with these residencies?

WINTER 2024

RESD 600-Residency I: Students enrolled in RESD 600-Residency I will concurrently enroll in CLIN 615-Counseling Skills. This 3-credit class will meet regularly throughout the quarter to help prepare students for the Residency experience. The coursework in the RESD 600 Canvas class will be largely asynchronous prior to the residency week, but students are expected to attend and fully engage in synchronous classes and activities in CLIN 615.

RESD 601-Residency II: Students enrolled in RESD 601-Residency II will concurrently enroll in COUN 630-Crisis and Trauma and CLIN 605-Child and Adolescent Counseling. Students attending RESD 601-Residency II must have successfully completed CLIN 621-Group Counseling prior to attending their residency. The coursework in the RESD 601 Canvas class will be largely asynchronous prior to the residency week, but students are expected to attend and fully engage in other scheduled classes and activities.


Are hotel bookings required to participate in these residencies?

No, if students live locally and prefer to drive to the hotel, there is complimentary parking available. However, each day begins promptly at 9:00 AM (8:30 on the first day). You are also required to stay through to the end of each day, 4:30 or 5:00 depending on the day’s activities.

Even if you live locally, we recommend you book a room at the Sonesta so you don’t have to deal with traffic, pay for gas, and can be available for each days’ activities and have opportunities to participate in planned social gatherings and informal opportunities to connect with your fellow students.


What if I am concerned about travel costs, timing of residencies, or potential conflicts to attending?

Clinical residencies are an essential part of your training experience and are required before starting practicum. At the time of admission, you were informed of this part of your training and these are clearly indicated on your programs of study.

If you are aware of circumstances that will impede your ability to participate during the quarter identified on your program of study, please reach out to your faculty advisor as soon as possible.

The only options are to look at pushing your residency attendance back a bit in your POS, but keep in mind doing this may also delay your program completion.