Master of Arts in 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. The program is guided by the standards of the California Board of Behavioral Sciences for academic training relevant to licensing as a Marriage and Family Therapist in the State of California, and by contemporary scientific, professional, and public practice. At the completion of the program students will achieve the following outcomes required for successful practice of Marriage and Family Therapy:
Program Learning Outcomes
- Establish professional relationships with diverse clients that provide the necessary conditions for therapeutic change.
- Diagnose and assess categories of mental distress, psychopathology, and problems in living in diverse individuals, couples, families, and systems according to the current diagnostic systems.
- Develop strategies and detailed plans for successful and ethical psychotherapeutic interventions with diverse client groups in various clinical contexts, including crisis intervention and case management assessment.
- Critically evaluate and assess various models of psychotherapy and execute psychotherapeutic interventions within diverse relationships.
- Apply clinical theory, research, and related literature within the field of Marriage and Family Therapy.
- Apply professional ethics, values, and relevant laws and legal codes to the professional roles and systems related to the practice of Marriage and Family Therapy.
- Integrate professional and personal development through selfreflection and introspective awareness.
Requirements
(18 courses; 81 quarter units) To receive the Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology, students must complete at least 81 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, and 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 Requirement (1 course; 4.5 quarter units) Candidates who have not previously completed this course or its equivalent are required to do so before they begin the program. PSY 429 can be taken either online or in a classroom.
Core Requirements (18 courses; 81 quarter units)
Specialization
