COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master of Science in Clinical/Counseling Psychology requires completion of 60 to 68 units of coursework, combining foundational, applied, and advanced topics in psychology to prepare students for professional practice and licensure as Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs) in California. The program includes courses in community and public mental health, disaster and trauma resilience, professional ethics and law, multicultural counseling, substance abuse, advanced research methods, life-span developmental psychology, psychopathology, family processes, and counseling theories. Specialized therapy skills are covered through Marriage and Family Therapy Skills I and II, Child Therapy, and clinical assessment courses. Students also gain hands-on experience through practicum courses, including the MFT Practicum I and II, and Advanced Practicum in Counseling Psychology I and II, totaling several units of supervised clinical practice.The program culminates in either a comprehensive examination or a thesis project. The comprehensive examination option consists of three units, including directed readings and the examination itself, assessing students’ competence across the areas tested for the California MFT license. The thesis option, totaling 11 units, requires the successful completion and defense of an original research project, which includes literature review, methodology, data analysis, and critical evaluation. Students may choose either Analysis of Variance or Regression and Nonparametric Statistics as part of their thesis preparation, along with advanced independent study and the thesis itself.Overall, the program integrates rigorous coursework, applied training, and research experience to equip graduates with the skills, knowledge, and professional credentials required for clinical practice, advanced counseling roles, and potential doctoral-level study. The program is designed to develop both practical competencies and critical thinking, ensuring students are prepared to meet licensure requirements and to contribute effectively to mental health services in diverse settings.