Program Description
Counseling Psychology (formerly Marriage and Family Therapy)
The program consists of a minimum of 65 units. The program has three tracks: 2-year, 2.5-year, and 3-year track. Once admitted to the program, students are assigned a faculty advisor and determine the best track option for them. A program planner will be provided to each student upon admission. Most students enroll in 4-5 courses each Fall and Spring semester. Classes are held in the late afternoons (4:00pm) and evenings. There is limited availability of summer courses, so students must plan carefully with their faculty advisor.
The following are required for admission to the program:
- Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university.
- Starting Fall 2024, minimum 2.85 overall grade point average in last degree (not credential or certificate) earned from an accredited institution of higher education.
- International applicants have additional university application requirements including meeting the English language proficiency requirement. Please visit The Center for International Education (CIE) website for more information.
- The GRE is not required.
EDP 400 - Introduction to Educational Research (3 units) (or equivalent) must be completed during the first year in the program.
Prerequisite courses do not need to be completed prior to applying nor prior to being admitted. Prerequisite course completion does not impact an applicant’s eligibility for admission to the program. Prerequisite courses may be completed the summer session prior to admission or during the first year in the program at the discretion of the advisor.
Take all of the following (59 units) and choose option A or B below:
- COUN 508A - Family Systems Applied to Aging and Lifespan Development (3 units)
- COUN 508B - Family Systems Methods (3 units)
- COUN 510 - Law and Ethics for Counselors (3 units)
- COUN 511 - Counseling the Alcohol/Chemically Dependent Person (2 units)
- COUN 512 - Child and Spousal/Partner Abuse (1 unit)
- COUN 513 - Introduction to Clinical Interviewing (3 units)
- COUN 514 - Psychopharmacology for Counselors (3 units)
- COUN 515 - Counseling Theories (3 units)
- COUN 522 - Counseling Methods and Techniques (3 units)
- COUN 543 - Human Sexuality Counseling (3 units)
- COUN 555 - Cross-Cultural Counseling (3 units)
- COUN 556 - Counseling Children and Adolescents (3 units)
- COUN 557 - Counseling Couples (3 units)
- COUN 601 - Trauma and Grief Counseling (3 units)
- COUN 608 - Psychological Assessment and Testing (3 units)
- COUN 609 - Counseling Psychology Practicum (4 units)
- COUN 638 - Group Counseling (3 units)
- COUN 643D - Counseling Field Work (Counseling Psychology) (3 units)
- COUN 644D - Advanced Counseling Field Work (Counseling Psychology) (3 units)
- COUN 685 - Community Mental Health Counseling (1 unit)
Take one of the following:
- EDP 520 - Quantitative Research Methods in Education (3 units)
- EDP 595 - Qualitative Research Methods in Education (3 units)
Select an Option:
Option A - Thesis (total units: 65):
EDP 698 - Thesis (3 units) (must enroll in 6 units)
Option B - Comprehensive Exam (total units: 65):
Take an additional 6 units of approved electives from courses in the Counseling program.
Elective options include:
- COUN 507 - Career and Academic Counseling in K-12 Settings (3 units)
- COUN 559 - Play and Art Therapy for Children/Adolescents (3 units)
- COUN 680 - Family Trauma Treatment Seminar (3 units)
- COUN 682 - Gestalt Psychotherapy (2 units)
- COUN 683 - Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (2 units)
- COUN 684 - Emotionally Focused Therapy (3 units)
Please see the current Counseling Psychology program University Catalog for course descriptions.
Please note that the degree title changed to Counseling Psychology as of the 2020/2021 University Catalog.
Please note this is a typical course schedule for a student on a 2-year track. Once admitted to the program, students are assigned a faculty advisor and determine the best track option for them. A program planner will be provided to each student upon admission.
YEAR 1
| SUMMER | FALL | SPRING |
|---|---|---|
| EDP 400 (Prerequisite: Quantitative and Qualitative statistics, take if needed) |
COUN 508A COUN 510 |
COUN 508B COUN 511 |
YEAR 2
| SUMMER | FALL | SPRING |
|---|---|---|
|
COUN 608 Elective Course, if applicable |
COUN 514 COUN 601 COUN 609 EDP 698 (Thesis, if applicable) or Elective Courses |
COUN 543 EDP 698 (Thesis, if applicable) or Take Comprehensive Exam |
YEAR 3
| SUMMER | FALL | SPRNG |
|---|---|---|
|
COUN 644D Elective Course, if applicable |
Please note this is a typical course schedule for a student on a 2.5-year track. Once admitted to the program, students are assigned a faculty advisor and determine the best track option for them. A program planner will be provided to each student upon admission.
YEAR 1
| SUMMER | FALL | SPRING |
|---|---|---|
| EDP 400 (Prerequisite: Quantitative and Qualitative statistics, take if needed) |
COUN 510 |
COUN 511 |
YEAR 2
| SUMMER | FALL | SPRING |
|---|---|---|
|
Elective Course |
COUN 508A EDP 520 Elective Course |
COUN 508B COUN 685 EDP 698 (Thesis, if applicable) or Elective Course |
YEAR 3
| SUMMER | FALL | SPRNG |
|---|---|---|
|
COUN 643D Elective Course |
COUN 514 COUN 555 COUN 644D EDP 698 (Thesis, if applicable) or Elective Course and Take Comprehensive Exam |
Please note this is a typical course schedule for a student on a 3-year track. Once admitted to the program, students are assigned a faculty advisor and determine the best track option for them. A program planner will be provided to each student upon admission.
YEAR 1
| SUMMER | FALL | SPRING |
|---|---|---|
| EDP 400 (Prerequisite: Quantitative and Qualitative statistics, take if needed) |
COUN 510 |
COUN 511 |
YEAR 2
| SUMMER | FALL | SPRING |
|---|---|---|
|
Elective Course, if applicable |
COUN 508A |
COUN 508B |
YEAR 3
| SUMMER | FALL | SPRNG |
|---|---|---|
|
COUN 643D Elective Course, if applicable |
COUN 514 COUN 644D EDP 698 (Thesis, if applicable) or Elective Course and Take Comprehensive Exam |
COUN 543 COUN 555 EDP 698 (Thesis, if applicable) or Elective Course |
