Degree Requirements

To receive a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy the student must complete:

  • University requirements for a master's degree.
  • Prerequisite courses or their approved equivalents, if not previously completed (0-13 units).
  • 79 graduate units as outlined below, of which no more than 12 graduate units may be accepted in transfer.
  • A comprehensive master's examination.
  • An approved master's project is optional.
  • A minimum of 50 hours of individual psychotherapy while in the program.

All courses are 3 units unless noted otherwise.

GRADUATE PROGRAM (79 units)
The graduate program consists of three phases; Phase I (coursework), Phase II (field placement I and written exam) and Phase III (field placement II and oral exam). Successful completion of each phase is required in order to advance to the next phase. Phases II and III consist primarily of field placement with individual and group supervision but also include some advanced coursework.

    Phase I (35 units)
    Theories of Therapeutic Process
    Systemic Theory and Family Therapy A
    Systemic Theory and Family Therapy B
    Basic Addiction Studies
    Clinical Skills Training A: Self and Group
    Clinical Skills Training B: Therapeutic Techniques
    Clinical Skills Training C: Issues in Treatment
    Child and Adolescent Treatment A
    Child and Adolescent Treatment B (2)
    Diagnosis and Assessment of Psychopathology A
    Diagnosis and Assessment of Psychopathology B
    Ethics and the Law
    Child Abuse Assessment, Reporting and Treatment (0)
    Professional Development Workshop 1: Diversity Awareness (0)
    Successful completion of Phase I required to advance to first field placement.
    Note: Courses listed in Phases II and III may be taken earlier in the program if their prerequisites have been met.

    Phase II (23 units)
    Specific Theories of Change (2)
    Theory and Practice Integration (1,1,1)
    Brief Therapy
    Supervised Field Experience A,B,C (4,4,4)
    Cross-Cultural Awareness
    Professional Development Workshop II: General Career Issues and Strategies (0)

    Phase III (21 units)
    Couple Therapy (3)
    Supervised Field Experience D,E,F (3,3,3)
    Seminar in Child, Adolescent and Family Counseling (topics vary; 3 units required) (1-3)
    Professional Development Workshop III: MFT Career Issues and Strategies (0)
    Human Sexuality (may be taken in any phase) (0)
    Psychological Testing
    Psychopharmacology

    * Students completing Supervised Internal Field Placement are required to take 4, 4, 4 units.

    MA Comprehensive Examinations

    • Written Exam
      Successful completion of Phase I required to take this exam, which tests the students' knowledge of Phase I coursework. Generally taken while student is in Phase II. It must be passed in order to advance to Phase III.
    • Oral Exam
      Students take a two-part oral examination similar in format to that of the California MFT Examination during the last quarter of supervised field experience.

    Master's Project (9)
    Students may choose to complete a master's project, which provides them with the opportunity to pursue in-depth a research subject of their choice. If this option is chosen, and the Master's Project successfully completed, three of the nine units may fulfill three units of the Supervised Field Experience. The remaining six units are units beyond the 79-unit requirement for the master's degree.