Program Description

Counseling Psychology (formerly Marriage and Family Therapy)

The program consists of a minimum of 65 units. The program has two tracks: 2-year or 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. Students enroll in 4-5 courses each Fall and Spring semester. Most classes are held in the late afternoons (4:00pm) and evenings (7:00pm), Monday through Thursday. Some classes are required on Saturday through Sunday between 9:00am-5:00pm. This program consists of both in-person and online synchronous classes. There is not a fully online option. There is limited availability of summer courses, so students must plan carefully with their faculty advisor.

Please review the Eligibility Requirements website for GPA and application information.

NOTE: 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 - Foundations of Career Development in K-12 Schools (3 units)
  • COUN 559 - Play and Art Therapy for Children/Adolescents (3 units)
  • COUN 680 - Family Trauma Treatment Seminar (3 units)
  • COUN 682 - Gestalt Therapy (3 units)
  • COUN 683 - Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (3 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

SUMMERFALLSPRING
EDP 400 (Prerequisite: Quantitative and Qualitative statistics, take if needed)

COUN 508A

COUN 510
COUN 512
COUN 513
COUN 515
 

COUN 508B

COUN 511
COUN 522
COUN 556
COUN 557

YEAR 2

SUMMERFALLSPRING

COUN 608
EDP 520

Elective Course, if applicable

COUN 514

COUN 601

COUN 609
COUN 638

EDP 698 (Thesis, if applicable) or Elective Courses

COUN 543
COUN 555
COUN 643D
COUN 685

EDP 698 (Thesis, if applicable) or Take Comprehensive Exam

YEAR 3

SUMMERFALLSPRNG

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

SUMMERFALLSPRING
EDP 400 (Prerequisite: Quantitative and Qualitative statistics, take if needed)COUN 510
COUN 512
COUN 513
COUN 515
COUN 511
COUN 522
COUN 556
COUN 638

YEAR 2

SUMMERFALLSPRING
Elective Course

COUN 508A
COUN 601
COUN 608

EDP  520

Elective Course

COUN 508B
COUN 543
COUN 557
COUN 609

COUN 685

EDP 698 (Thesis, if applicable) or Elective Course

YEAR 3

SUMMERFALLSPRNG

COUN 643D

Elective Course

 COUN 514

COUN 555

COUN 644D

EDP 698 (Thesis, if applicable) or Elective Course and Take Comprehensive Exam