The Master of Arts (MA) in Psychology, with an Emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy degree is a program designed for those interested in pursuing a career as a marriage and family therapist (MFT) and/or as a licensed professional clinical counselor (LPCC). If you are drawn to helping people with emotional, behavioral, mental health, or relationship concerns, this degree may be right for you.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Foundational Knowledge in Psychology
Articulate a broad knowledge of systems concepts, theories, and techniques that are foundational to the practice of counseling.
- Scientific Literacy & Research
Utilize appropriate strategies to evaluate and apply psychological research in counseling and therapy practice.
- Ethics & Professional Standards
Apply ethical behavior, standards and decision-making in accordance with the ethical and legal standards of the profession.
- Cultural Diversity, Awareness & Humility
Apply cultural humility and understanding to counseling practice with diverse individuals and groups.
- Psychological & Professional Literacy
Applies psychological research and theory to effectively manage therapeutic practice to achieve treatment goals for individuals and/or groups.
- Communication & Interpersonal Skills
Communicate competently in multiple formats (written, oral, and interpersonal) appropriate to various audiences, cultures, and contexts to foster counseling efficacy.
- Professional Values & Development
Apply knowledge, skills, feedback, and experience toward professional development to enhance potential for success in chosen profession.
- Assessment
Utilize assessment measures appropriately in clinical settings.
- Intervention
Apply evidence-based clinical intervention and/or prevention strategies designed to promote the mental health and well-being of individuals, families, children, and group clients.
- Supervision
Incorporate supervision feedback to guide professional development and clinical competence.
- Consultation & Interprofessional /Interdisciplinary Skills
Collaborate effectively to engage with individuals and their families, other health care professionals, interprofessional groups, or systems related to health and behavior.
Licensure and Certification
CalSouthern’s MA degree program is designed to meet both the educational requirements for licensed marriage and family therapist (MFT) and/or licensed professional clinical counselor (LPCC) in the State of California. This degree may also meet the educational requirements for licensure in other states or jurisdictions. Licensing requirements vary by jurisdiction, by license type, and are subject to change. Therefore, learners are encouraged to contact their respective licensing board or jurisdictional authority for approval prior to enrollment. This program also provides learners with the foundational knowledge and skills necessary to prepare for doctoral-level study at this university.
Although considered an out-of-state institution by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS), the CalSouthern MA degree program includes coursework that meets the educational requirements for California license eligibility in the following areas:
- Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and registration as an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT) per California Business and Professions Code (BPC) Sections 4980.74, 4980.78, and 4980.81;
- Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) and registration as an Associate Professional Clinical Counselor (APCC) per BPC Sections 4999.61 and 4999.62.
Following completion of the MA degree program, additional training and exams may be required for full MFT and/or LPCC license eligibility. For additional information regarding educational and other requirements for licensure, see the California BBS website at http://www.bbs.ca.gov/.
Refer to the Licensure Disclosure section below for state board contact information.
Marriage and Family Therapist
United States: CalSouthern has made a determination that this curriculum meets the state educational requirements for licensure or certification as a marriage and family therapist in the following states: AL, AK, AR, AZ, CA, CO, DE, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KY, LA, MD, MI, MN, NC, NJ, NM, OH, OR, PA, SC, TN, TX, UT, WA. Some states may have additional requirements that are not part of the curriculum, but which can be satisfied at CalSouthern.
CalSouthern has made a determination that this curriculum does not meet the state educational requirements for licensure or certification as a marriage and family therapist in the following states: CT, DC, FL, KS, MA, ME, MO, MS, MT, ND, NE, NH, NV, NY, OK, RI, SD, VA, VT, WI, WV, WY. This program does not accept applications from prospective learners who reside in these states.
Other Jurisdictions: This program does not accept applications from prospective learners who reside outside of the jurisdictions listed above.
Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor
United States: CalSouthern has made a determination that this curriculum meets the state educational requirements for licensure or certification as a licensed professional clinical counselor in the following states: AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, LA, MD, MI, MN, NJ, NM, OR, PA, SC, TN, TX, UT, WA. Some states may have additional requirements that are not part of the curriculum, but which can be satisfied at CalSouthern.
CalSouthern has made a determination that this curriculum does not meet the state educational requirements for licensure or certification as a licensed professional clinical counselor in the following states: FL, KY, KS, MA, ME, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NV, NY, OH, OK, RI, SD, VT, VA, WV, WI, WY. This program does not accept applications from prospective learners who reside in these states.
Other Jurisdictions: This program does not accept applications from prospective learners who reside outside of the jurisdictions listed above.
Degree Requirements
| DEGREE REQUIREMENTS |
CREDITS |
| Required Courses |
60 |
| TOTAL CREDITS REQUIRED FOR COMPLETION |
60 |
All program requirements for the MA Psychology degree program must be completed through CalSouthern in no less than two (2) and no more than seven (7) years of initial course enrollment, regardless of continuous enrollment status. Courses taken over 7 years ago may be required to be repeated in order to maintain program currency. Please refer to the Reinstatement: Re-Entry Requirements section of this catalog for information about returning to the program after separation from the University.
The time limit is not automatically extended by a student taking a leave of absence or an Internal Pause. In the event of extenuating circumstances and a learner is unable to complete the degree by the time limit, the learner may petition the School of Behavioral Sciences for an extension to the time limit. All requests for extension, whether prompted by a leave or some other circumstance, must be filed by the learner before the conclusion of the program's time limit. The School of Behavioral Sciences is not obliged to grant an extension.
MA Practicum Preparedness Webinar
The MA Practicum Preparedness webinar covers the requirements needed to start practicum, how to find a site and the approval process. In addition, the required weekly documentation is also covered among other topics.
Personal Psychotherapy Requirement
The faculty mentors in the School of Behavioral Sciences believe that personal psychotherapy is an important component of clinical training, personal and professional growth, and development. Thus, learners are required to participate in individual psychotherapy to develop insight into personal factors that may affect their performance as clinicians. This pre-requisite for practicum is met by the completion of 16 hours of individual personal psychotherapy completed between the date of enrollment and prior to eligibility for practicum. Psychotherapy services must be provided by a licensed clinician who is fully licensed to independently practice in the same jurisdiction as the learner/client is physically located.
Required Courses
Required Courses (60 Credits Required)
Optional Course
Additional Courses
Other additional courses may be available upon request to meet individual jurisdictional requirements for licensure. If additional courses are needed, please bring this information to the attention of the School of Behavioral Sciences Programs Coordinator.
While California Southern University, as a member of the AIU System, is part of a Title IV eligible institution offering Title IV eligible programs, CalSouthern has elected and designated this program as not participating in Title IV federal financial aid programs. This means students enrolling in this program may not use Federal Student Aid to help pay for this program. Instead, it offers a variety of zero interest payment options for students.