爆料社区

Develop Advanced Clinical Counseling Expertise 

Are you passionate about making a meaningful difference through mental health counseling? 爆料社区's Master of Science in Clinical Counseling Psychology is designed for students like you who want to become licensed professional clinical counselors (LPCCs). With California facing a critical shortage of qualified mental health professionals*, your future career as an LPCC will have immediate impact, helping individuals, families and communities access essential therapeutic services.

 

Our two-year, face-to-face program combines rigorous academic preparation with hands-on clinical training. You'll learn from faculty who are active clinicians and researchers and gain real-world experience through two semesters of supervised practica in community mental health settings. By graduation, you'll be fully prepared to pursue licensure and step confidently into professional counseling practice. 

 

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Attend an Information Session

Join an Online Information Session

Learn more about the Master of Science in Clinical Counseling Psychology program through a brief, informal webinar and Q&A session:

 

• Please check back for upcoming information session dates

Admission and Costs

Admission

Admission to the clinical counseling master鈥檚 degree program requires applicants to have earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in a behavioral-science-related field with a minimum GPA of 3.0, complete a personal statement and submit letters of recommendation. View all admission requirements.

 

Costs and Financial Aid

• $634 per unit
• Eligible for financial aid

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Comparing Mental Health Licensure Paths

 

Learning Outcomes

• Employ clinical intake, assessment, and diagnosis tools and techniques to evaluate atypical development and behaviors
• Recognize one鈥檚 own cultural influences, perceptions, and biases and utilize a culturally sensitive approach to mental health treatment, with attention to the diverse cultural and sociopolitical contexts of individual clients, families, and communities
• Critically analyze scientific literature and relevant empirical findings on the topic of clinical/counseling psychology
• Apply diagnostic information, theories of counseling, case conceptualization, and evidence-based decision making to inform and construct relevant treatment plans
• Use effective counseling skills and implement empirically supported psychotherapeutic approaches to address developmental, behavioral, and mental health needs
• Utilize professional verbal and writing skills to communicate effectively with clients, professionals, and the general public
• Implement the ethical, legal, and professional standards consistent with the fields of clinical/counseling psychology and the profession as a licensed professional clinical counselor

Faculty Expertise

Your journey to becoming an LPCC starts with comprehensive training in the skills that matter most. 爆料社区's MS in Clinical Counseling Psychology combines evidence-based therapeutic techniques with practical clinical experience to prepare you for immediate impact in diverse mental health settings. Our psychology department faculty bring extensive expertise across key areas essential for clinical counseling mastery: 

• Clinical Practice and Assessment
  • Neuropsychological and diagnostic assessment
  • Clinical health psychology and psychotherapy
  • Trauma-informed care and crisis intervention
  • Evidence-based therapeutic interventions
  • Mindfulness and self-compassion approaches 
• Developmental and Lifespan Psychology
  • Child, adolescent and adult development
  • Family systems and relationship dynamics
  • Cognitive development and learning processes 
• Health Psychology and Substance Use
  • Substance use assessment and intervention
  • Health behavior modification
  • Chronic illness and pain management
  • Tobacco cessation and prevention 
• Cultural and Social Psychology
  • Multicultural counseling approaches
  • Cross-cultural adaptation and social support
  • Social justice and advocacy
  • Community engagement and partnership 
• Specialized Populations
  • Autism spectrum disorders and neurodevelopmental disabilities
  • At-risk youth and underserved populations
  • Military veterans and trauma survivors
  • Aging populations and dementia care

 

Careers and Job Outlooks

 

FAQ

• What is a cohort?

  Students in the clinical counseling psychology master鈥檚 program progress through the curriculum as a unified group, fostering collaboration and professional networking opportunities. This cohort model ensures consistent peer support throughout the 60-unit program.

• Are there online or evening options for this program?

  No. This program is designed to be face-to-face, and you should be prepared to take all classes on campus during the day. In-person collaboration with your instructors and peers enhances the clinical counseling learning experience and prepares you for work as a clinician. Currently, no courses in this program are offered online or in the evenings. 

• Can I start the program in the spring semester?
  No; cohorts for the MS in Clinical Counseling Psychology start in the fall only.
• How long does it take to complete your program?
  The program is designed to be completed in five semesters (including the summer term in between the first and second years). In unique circumstances, additional semesters may be granted to complete practica and master鈥檚 project components.
• I want to be a mental health clinician; is this the right program for me?

  Yes! There are several avenues to pursue licensure as a mental health clinician and this program offers one route. Specifically, the MS in Clinical Counseling Psychology program involves advanced, in-depth study and applied training in clinical and counseling psychology, and is designed to prepare students for eligibility toward licensure as a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC). As described by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences, the LPCC is a master鈥檚 level license for the mental health professional who applies 鈥渃ounseling interventions and psychotherapeutic techniques to identify and remediate cognitive, mental and emotional issues, including personal growth, adjustment to disability, crisis intervention, and psychosocial and environmental problems鈥� ().

   

  Students in this program are trained to deliver evidence-based psychotherapeutic interventions and treatments with diverse populations including adults (individuals and couples), children/youth and families. They are immersed in culturally-responsive, evidence-based best practices in mental health counseling through didactic and practical coursework, including field-based practica.

• I want to be a psychologist (clinical, research or academic); is this the right program for me?

  Becoming a psychologist requires completing a doctoral degree. If you want to earn a master鈥檚 degree as a stepping stone to a doctoral program, the MA program in Psychological Science is a better fit for you. Doctoral (especially PhD) programs that prepare students to become psychologists are looking for students who have done research in psychology. This is true for clinical psychology programs (clinical psychologists are trained to do clinical work, research, and/or teaching) and experimental psychology programs (which train students to conduct research and/or teach, but not provide clinical services to patients). The MS in Clinical Counseling Psychology program emphasizes the application of research-based clinical approaches, but does not involve a great deal of mentored research in psychology.

   

  On the other hand, if you are looking for a program that trains you in counseling skills so that you can work as a therapist once you have earned your master鈥檚 degree, this program is the right program for you! The MS program will prepare students to pursue licensure as a licensed professional clinical counselor (LPCC).

• I want to be a school psychologist; is this the right program for me?

  No, this program won't prepare you to become a school psychologist. School psychology requires specialized training that's different from clinical counseling psychology. We encourage you to look for dedicated school psychology programs at other institutions, as 爆料社区 doesn't currently offer school psychology training or the Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) credential required to work in K-12 schools in California. 

• Is this program a good fit if I am interested in applied behavior analysis (ABA) or becoming a board-certified behavior analyst (BCBA)?

  No, this program is not a good fit if you are interested in becoming a board-certified behavior analysis (BCBA), though some of the evidence-based approaches that are covered within the program will be behaviorally-based. ABA-based interventions may be delivered by board certified behavior analysts (BCBAs), educators, clinical psychologists or other qualified professionals with relevant clinical training. A common path for those interested in delivering ABA-based interventions is to pursue the courses and training required to become a BCBA. You can find more information about this certification and the requirements at  . 

• What are the similarities and differences between the LPCC and the MFT or MSW?

  LPCCs, MFTs and MSWs all share a commitment to supporting mental health and well-being. Each requires a master鈥檚 degree and state-specific licensure, which includes supervised clinical experience and passing relevant exams. Professionals in these roles are trained in varying degrees to assess, diagnose and treat mental health disorders, often using evidence-based methods. They can work in similar settings and may collaborate across disciplines to provide comprehensive support to individuals and families. However, there are some important distinctions. 

   

  For the LPCC, the primary focus is mental health counseling, diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders, and typical clients are individuals. 

   

  For the MFT, the primary focus is therapy centered on relationships, family systems and interpersonal dynamics. Typical clients include couples and families.

   

  For the MSW, the primary focus is holistic support through social systems, advocacy and resource access. Clients typically include individuals, families and/or communities.

• Do I automatically receive a license once I complete the program?

  No, you won't automatically receive your license upon graduation, but our program is designed to prepare you for the next steps toward licensure! The MS in Clinical Counseling Psychology makes you eligible to pursue LPCC licensure according to California Board of Behavioral Sciences requirements. 

   

  After you graduate, you'll need to complete additional post-degree requirements for full licensure, including supervised clinical hours and passing the national and state licensing exams.  We're committed to supporting you throughout this journey and will provide guidance on the licensure process as you approach graduation. 

• How many applicants do you accept?

  For the initial Fall 2026 cohort, we plan to admit 25 students. We anticipate that subsequent cohorts will include up to 35 students. 

• Can I still be accepted into your program if I do not have a BA in Psychology?

  Absolutely! While psychology majors often have the strongest preparation, we welcome excellent students from related fields like sociology, social science, human development or child development. The key is making sure you've completed our prerequisite courses as detailed in the admission requirements. If you've taken these courses and have a strong overall application, we encourage you to apply. 

   

  We recommend reviewing our full admission requirements to confirm you meet all the criteria. If you have questions about whether your specific coursework qualifies, don't hesitate to reach out to us directly. 

• What are you looking for in applicants?

  We look for evidence that an applicant has the motivation, skills, talent and professionalism to become a clinical counselor. Very good grades and strong letters of recommendation are particularly important. Some experience with human or social service is preferred. We seek students who present themselves well 鈥� demonstrating professionalism not only in their application materials, such as articulate personal statements that clearly identify their interests in clinical and counseling psychology, but also in how they are likely to conduct themselves throughout the program and in their future careers. We value applicants who convey a serious commitment to graduate study and who show readiness to engage responsibly, ethically and respectfully in both academic and clinical settings.

• My grades are not very strong. Should I still apply?

  We look for students who have primarily earned As and Bs in college. GPAs lower than about 3.0 give us concern. However, occasionally an applicant has a good explanation for a low GPA. If you do decide to apply but have a low GPA, you should definitely address it in your personal statement. 

   

  If you  decide to apply with a lower GPA, please use your personal statement to help us understand your circumstances and demonstrate why you're ready for the rigors of graduate school now. 

• Are GRE scores required for admission?

  No, GRE scores are completely optional for our program. You're welcome to include your scores in your online application if you've taken the test and feel they showcase your abilities, but there's absolutely no penalty if you choose not to take the GRE or submit scores. We believe there are many ways to demonstrate your readiness for graduate study, and standardized test scores are just one piece of the puzzle. 

• What should the personal statement include?

  A good personal statement is essential to a competitive application, and a poor personal statement can undermine the success of your application. The personal statement should focus on the ways in which you are prepared to handle our clinically-oriented graduate curriculum. You should identify your academic and personal strengths, pointing whenever possible to quantitative or otherwise objective information (e.g., GPA, GRE scores, awards won, etc.).

   

  Your statement should be well written and should give us reason to believe that you have the maturity, skills and motivation to succeed at 爆料社区. It should be clear from the statement that you have carefully read the online materials about our program such that you can speak directly to the ways that the program fits your interests and goals and vice versa.

   

  Remember, this is your opportunity to make a compelling case for why you belong in our program and how you'll succeed as a future licensed professional clinical counselor. 

• What are you looking for in terms of work or volunteer experience?

  Each applicant鈥檚 experiences and strengths will vary. While there is no one right profile of an applicant, it is important that applicants have a clear interest and fit with the field of clinical/counseling psychology. Prior experience can help with that. There are many different volunteer opportunities that provide great experience related to counseling.

• I can attend full time, but I plan to work 20+ hours a week to support myself. Will that be a problem?

  We understand that many students need to work to support themselves, and we want to be honest about the program's demands so you can make the best decision for your situation. The MS in Clinical Counseling Psychology program is quite intensive and requires significant time commitment both in and out of class, including comprehensive coursework and practicum placements in real-word clinical and counseling settings. 

   

  Working 20+ hours per week while maintaining the academic rigor and clinical training requirements can be extremely challenging and may impact your ability to succeed in the program. We've found that students who try to balance demanding work schedules often struggle to keep up with the coursework and clinical responsibilities. 

• I am an international student. What steps should I take if I want to apply to your program?

  Start by familiarizing yourself with 爆料社区鈥檚 Office of Global Programs and Services. The staff there can assist you! Please do not begin your application to our program until you have discussed your interests with someone in that office. 

• What services do you offer to active-duty military, veterans and dependents?

  Please visit our military and veteran services page to learn about the support and resources available to active-duty military, veterans and their dependents.