Master of Arts Counseling Psychology

Lead Faculty: Dr. Valerie L. Alexander

The Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology degree emphasizes marriage and family therapy and is designed for students who are committed to the practice of individual, couples, family, adolescent, and child psychotherapy. This degree meets the academic requirements necessary to sit for the Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) License mandated by the Board of Behavioral Science in the state of California. The degree may not meet requirements in other states. Students should consult the licensing boards of the appropriate states for information about the MFT outside of California. It also prepares students for the pursuit of doctoral studies in practitioner-oriented programs such as counseling or clinical psychology.

Application Requirements
Students interested in enrolling in this program should contact the appropriate campus for further information regarding the application process.

To be considered for admission, applicants must meet the University graduate admission requirements listed in the general information as well as the MAC program criteria. All applicants are evaluated for the psychotherapy profession, regardless of career goals. Students must submit an application packet, pass a personal interview, and attend the program orientation before they may begin classes.

Students should consult the regional faculty to determine at what point in the sequence they may enter the program. Entrance points may differ in each region.

Program Learning Outcomes

The primary program outcomes and competencies are:

• Entry level expertise in the diagnosis of mental disorders.
• Entry level expertise in development of a treatment plan.
• Entry level expertise in the implementation of treatment plans.
• Professional integrity and legal and ethical standards with clients and staff.
• Entry level competence in case presentations, oral reports, and written reports.
• Theoretical and clinical knowledge.
• Graduate level competency in theoretical research and written reports.
• Competency in psychopharmacology.
• Competency in multi-cultural awareness and diversity as it pertains to clinical situations of assessment and treatment.
• Competency in knowledge of human development (child, adolescent, and adult).
• Entry level competency in a broad range of clinical orientations and therapies.

Requirements

(18 courses; 81 quarter units):

To receive the Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology, students must complete at least 78 quarter units of graduate work. A total of 13.5 quarter units of graduate credit may be granted for equivalent graduate work completed at another institution, as it applies to this degree and if the units were not used in earning another advanced degree. Students should refer to the section on graduate admission requirements for specific information regarding application and evaluation. In addition:

• Students must complete all coursework with a grade of "B" or better. Students who receive a grade of "C+" or lower in two (2) or more courses must repeat all such courses before being allowed to continue in the program.
• Students must complete a minimum of 10 hours of individual, marital, family, or group psychotherapy before taking PSY 631A and another 15 hours before graduation for a total of 25 hours.
• Students must obtain a total of 200 hours of counseling experience at a designated practicum site with an approved practicum site supervisor during PSY 631B. One-hundred-fifty of the 200 hours must involve face-to-face psychotherapy with clients.
• Independent studies are not allowed in this program.
• Students may not take more than one course per month.
• Students seeking licensure must register with the Board of Behavioral Science Examiners (BBS) after graduation and fulfill all BBS licensing requirements.

Students are also urged to join the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapy and the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists. Students must obtain malpractice insurance through C.A.M.F.T. or another professional organization.

Students must complete all coursework within seven years. Any courses taken more than seven years ago must be repeated.

Prerequisite Recommended (1 course; 4.5 quarter units):
PSY 429 - Introduction to Personality Theory
Candidates who have not previously completed this course or its equivalent are strongly urged to do so. PSY 429 can be taken either online or in a classroom.

Program Core Requirements (18 courses; 81 quarter units):
These courses are scheduled on a limited basis. Students are encouraged to consult the regional faculty for the course sequence requirement, which may differ in each region. Enrollment in these courses is limited to MA Counseling Psychology students unless the course is specifically listed in another degree.

PSY 635 - Development Contexts in Psychotherapy: Childhood and Adolescence
PSY 629A - Development Contexts in Psychotherapy: Adulthood and Aging
PSY 653 - Research: Paradigms and Critiques
PSY 623A - Perspectives on Psychopathology Individual Psychotherapy and Clinical Assessment I
PSY 623B - Principles of Psychotherapy I: Assessment and Interventions Individual Psychotherapy and Clinical Assessment II
PSY 636 - Principles of Psychotherapy II: Child and Adolescent
PSY 632A - Couples/Family Therapy A
PSY 632B - Couples/Family Therapy B (Prerequisite: PSY 632A)
PSY 628 - Principles of Psychotherapy III: Group Approaches
PSY 627 - Legal and Ethical Issues in Marriage and Family Therapy
PSY 631A - Practicum I: Marital and Family Therapy
  (Prerequisite: Department approval)
PSY 631B - Practicum II: Marital and Family Therapy*
  (Prerequisites: PSY 631A and Department approval)
PSY 637 - Principles of Psychotherapy V: Cultural Competencies
PSY 624 - Assessment Techniques for Marriage and Family Therapists
PSY 642 - Relational Violence
CHD 640 - Addictions: Contexts and Treatments
PSY 626 - Human Sexuality in Psychotherapy
PSY 655 - Psychopharmacology

*This seminar meets once a week for two hours during six consecutive months in addition to the onsite practicum requirements. This seminar may meet in the late afternoon.

Program Information

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Program Locations

• Bakersfield Campus
• Carlsbad Campus
• Costa Mesa Campus
• Fresno Campus
• Los Angeles Campus
• Redding Campus
• Sacramento Campus
• San Bernardino Campus
• Sherman Oaks Campus
• Stockton Campus
• Technology and Health Sciences Center

Related Downloads

• Contract for Pre-practicum Trainee
• Trainee Letter of Agreement
• Check List of Practicum Forms
• 3 Month Evaluations
• Max/Min BBS Requirement
• 6 Month Evaluation
• Field Placement Evaluation
• Costa Mesa Approved Practicum Sites
• Los Angeles/Sherman Oaks Approved Practicum Sites
• Redding Approved Practicum Sites
• Sacramento Approved Practicum Sites
• Careers in Counseling Psychology
• San Diego Approved Practicum Sites
• Bakersfield Approved Practicum Sites
• Psychotherapy Experience
• Psychotherapy Inception form
• Psychotherapy 10 hour form
• Psychotherapy 25 hour form
• Stockton Approved Practicum Sites

Useful Links

• Experience Verification Form
• Supervisor Responsibility Statement
• Change of Address
• Weekly Summary of Hours of Experience