Master of Science Psychology Marriage and Family Therapy Concentration: Counseling Track

Mission

The mission of our Master's Program in Psychology, Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) concentration, Counseling track is to provide students with a quality educational experience that prepares them to become licensed as a Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of California.

Unique features

• The curriculum meets the California Board of Behavioral Sciences Marriage Family Therapist graduate training program requirements leading to licensure as an MFT in the State of California

More Information

The primary purpose of the Master of Science program in Psychology is to develop mastery of a substantial body of knowledge and skills for students planning careers in counseling. The Counseling track emphasizes a variety of counseling theories and skills in training students for positions in counseling settings. Admission to the program is competitive.

Minimum Prerequisites for Admission

1. A Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and completion of the concentration prerequisites, with a grade of B or better or completion of a course in Introductory Psychology, completion of the concentration prerequisites with a minimum of 16 upper-division semester units in Psychology with a grade of B or better with course content acceptable to the Psychology Graduate Committee.

Counseling Track Prerequisites:

• One upper-division introductory course in Experimental Psychology (PSYC 3000 or equivalent)
• One upper-division introductory course in Abnormal Psychology (PSYC 3350 or equivalent)
• One upper-division introductory course in Counseling Theory (PSYC 3790 or equivalent)
• One upper-division introductory course in Counseling Techniques (PSYC 4770or equivalent)

1. A minimum 3.0 overall grade point average.

2. Submission of a personal statement addressing:

   Why you are interested in pursuing graduate training in this field?
   Your understanding of the professional role of someone who obtains this degree.
   Why you are applying to this specific program at Stan State.
   What training, experience, and skills you have obtained that make you an excellent candidate for this program?
   Note: The Graduate Record Examination is no longer required.

3. Completion of a set of examinations or other requirements by the Psychology Department to determine or rectify those areas in which further preparation is required.

4. Related work or volunteer experience is strongly recommended.

5. Three letters of recommendation.

6. Approval by the Psychology Department.

Program Requirements

(60 units minimum)

1. Complete the appropriate 60 or more units or their equivalent.
2. Complete the 36 core units listed in the Basic Requirements Section as well as the requirements listed for the concentration to which they have been admitted.

 Note:  Some modifications to the following stated requirements may be made to accommodate California educational requirements for the Marriage and Family Therapist License, the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, and other program changes.

Basic Requirements

(36 units)

• PSYC 5080 - Legal and Ethical Issues in Psychology and Counseling
• PSYC 5140 - Applied Psychopharmacology
• PSYC 5160 - Multicultural and Developmental Perspectives in Counseling
• PSYC 5360 - Seminar in Clinical Psychopathology
• PSYC 5650 - Child Clinical Interventions
• PSYC 5690 - Counseling Sexual Problems
• PSYC 5740 - Community Counseling Interventions
• PSYC 5770 - Substance Abuse and Chemical Dependency Counseling
• PSYC 5780 - Advanced Counseling
• PSYC 5860 - Trauma and Domestic Violence Interventions
• PSYC 5905 - Client Advocacy Practicum
• PSYC 5990 - Master's Thesis (a minimum of 3 units)
• Note:  Once students complete all other coursework, they must be continually enrolled in at least one thesis unit (either PSYC 5990 or PSYC 7005).

Counseling Track Courses

(24 units)

• PSYC 5005 - Introduction to Master's Thesis
• PSYC 5010 - Advanced Methods for Psychological Research
• PSYC 5020 - Advanced Statistical Analysis of Psychological Data
• PSYC 5030 - Clinical Assessment and Diagnostics
• PSYC 5755 - Couples Therapy
• PSYC 5790 - Family Counseling Theory and Practice
• PSYC 5810 - Seminar in Group Counseling and Psychotherapy
• PSYC 5910 - Practicum in Counseling and Diagnostics
• (must be repeated for a total of 6 units. Students may take PSYC 5930 in place of PSYC 5910 for one of the two required semesters.)