COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology: Evening Format is a cohort-based graduate program designed to prepare students for licensure as Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT) or Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors (LPCC) in California. The program is structured to support both working professionals and full-time students by offering a flexible yet rigorous clinical training pathway grounded in evidence-based and practice-oriented learning. Students are prepared to work with individuals, couples, families, and groups across a wide range of mental health needs, including relational, developmental, and community-based concerns. A central feature of the program is its emphasis on understanding the social and psychological impact of socioeconomic conditions, including poverty, inequality, and chronic social stress, and how these factors influence mental health and family functioning. The core curriculum provides comprehensive training in diagnosis and treatment of mental health disorders, psychological assessment of individuals and family systems, counseling theories, and advanced therapeutic techniques. Students also develop competencies in multicultural counseling, ethics and legal standards in clinical practice, psychopharmacology, substance abuse treatment, trauma-informed care, and human sexuality. Additional coursework focuses on couple and family therapy across multiple stages, lifespan development, career development theory, and mental health systems, advocacy, and service delivery. Research and evaluation methods are included to strengthen students’ ability to engage in evidence-based practice. Preparation for clinical practicum is integrated throughout the program, with supervised fieldwork experiences allowing students to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world settings. The cohort-based structure promotes collaborative learning, professional identity development, and peer support. Overall, the program equips graduates with the clinical skills, cultural competence, and ethical grounding required to provide effective mental health services and meet LMFT or LPCC licensure requirements in California.