The Masters of Science degree in clinical/counseling psychology is a 78-82 quarter-unit program designed to develop practical skills in counseling, through supervised training and experience, and knowledge and understanding of relevant subject matter and research methodology. The program culminates with a thesis or comprehensive examination and an internship experience. Students receive close individual mentoring as only 10 to 15 students are admitted each year. The M.S. program operates an on-campus psychology clinic for clinical training purposes. The program is designed to meet the basic requirements of California Assembly Bill No. 3657 (Section 4980.37) which specifies the educational qualifications for licensure as marriage and family therapist (MFT). Additionally, the program has a track record of preparing students who later enter doctoral programs in clinical or counseling psychology.

Clinical/Counseling Faculty

Application and Admission

Program Course Requirements

Clinical/Counseling Psychology Faculty

Dr. David Chavez
Dr. Faith McClure
Dr. Edward Teyber

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Applying for admission is a two step process:

Step One: University Application

Step Two: Psychology Department Application

All information and forms must be received by Admissions and the Psychology Department by the appropriate deadlines to be guaranteed consideration for current academic year admission. It is your responsibility to be sure all information is received. All applicants whose files are complete by the appropriate dates will be reviewed and considered for admission to classified status. Late applicants may be considered if there are openings and will be notified by letter as to their acceptance or non-acceptance into their respective programs.

STEP ONE: University Application:

Send the following materials to:

1.) The completed University Application for Graduate Admission with your check attached.
You may apply online (Click here to apply) or request an application by calling 909-537-5188

2.) One official copy of transcripts from each college and university you have attended, regardless of whether you received a degree.

Please note that you do not have to request CSUSB transcripts if you are a current student or graduate of CSUSB.

Please allow enough time (at least one month) for your college transcripts to be sent to the University. The University admissions office must evaluate transcripts of all colleges attended before they can send a Graduate Credit Summary to the Psychology Department. The Psychology Department cannot review your file without this summary.

If you are an unclassified graduate student currently enrolled at CSUSB, you must file a change of major form (at least one month prior to our deadline) at the admissions and records office so that an updated credit summary will be forwarded to the Psychology Department.

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STEP TWO: Psychology Department Application:

Send the following Materials to:

1.) A copy of transcripts from each college and university you have attended, regardless of whether you received a degree.

2.) A copy of your university application for graduate admission.

3.) Statement of Purpose

1-2 page typewritten description of your preparation for graduate study, goals for the graduate training program, and professional aspirations following receipt of the Master's Degree.

4.) Psychology Department Information Form (enclosed in application packet).

5.) Three (3) letters of recommendation (enclosed in application packet).

Two should come from instructors who know the quality of your academic work. These letters should be from people who can make relevant comments on your likely success in a graduate Psychology program.

Letters of recommendation should be sent directly from the writer (or placement file) to the Psychology Department; or included with the application in a sealed envelop that has the recommender's signature over the seal.

Financial Assistance

Some financial aid resources are available to our graduate students. Each year a few Teaching Assistants are available in the second year of training, and a few faculty have research grants to hire research assistants. Some second-year internships offer a stipend. Student loans, available through the Guaranteed Student Loan (GSL) program, may be available if you are accepted into the program. Interested applicants are encouraged to contact the campus Financial Aid Office at (909) 537-7800 early (i.e. before March) for information about these loans and about available fellowship programs.

Licensing and Credentials

Licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) in California enables individuals to work in clinical and community mental health settings, engage in private practice with third-party reimbursement, and, after two year of licensure, supervise MFT trainees and interns. Additionally, the high standards maintained for the California license means that other states with master's-level counseling licenses may recognize the MFT for reciprocity purposes.

Please feel free to write or call any of the Clinical/Counseling faculty listed for more information about specific areas of interest to you. For more information direct inquiries to psycapps@csusb.edu

Program Course Requirements

For students seeking admission in the Counseling Option, the following also are required for classified status:

1. Completion of the following prerequisite courses or their equivalent:

a. PSYC 100. Introduction to Psychology

b. PSYC 210. Psychological Statistics

c. PSYC 311. Introduction to Experimental Psychology

d. PSYC 385. Personality or PSYC 386. Introduction to Psychotherapy

e. PSYC 390. Abnormal Psychology

Program of Study for the Clinical/Counseling M.S. Degree

Thesis Option (82 units)

1. PSYC 611. Advanced Independent Study (2-5) for a total of (5)

2. PSYC 633. Professional Ethics and Law (4)

3. PSYC 636. Cross-Cultural Counseling (4)

4. PSYC 638. Substance Abuse: Detection, Assessment and Treatment (4)

5. PSYC 640. Advanced Methods in Psychological Research (4)

6. PSYC 641. Advanced Psychological Statistics (5)

7. PSYC 654. Advanced Life-Span Developmental Psychology (4)

8. PSYC 665. Psychopathology (4)

9. PSYC 667. Family Processes (4)

10. PSYC 671. Marriage and Family Therapy Skills I (5)

11. PSYC 672. Marriage and Family Therapy Skills II (5)

12. PSYC 673. Marriage and Family Therapy Skills III (5)

13. PSYC 682. Clinical Assessment (4)

14. PSYC 687A. Marriage and Family Therapy Practicum (2)

15. PSYC 687B. Marriage and Family Therapy Practicum (2)

16. PSYC 687C. Marriage and Family Therapy Practicum (2)

17. PSYC 697A. Advanced Practicum in Counseling Psychology (4)

18. PSYC 697B. Advanced Practicum in Counseling Psychology (4)

19. PSYC 697C. Advanced Practicum in Counseling Psychology (4)

20. PSYC 699. Thesis (5)

21. Two units of electives to be chosen from 500- or 600-level courses, excluding PSYC 575, 595, 611 and 612.

Notes:**Up to eight units of PSYC 697A, 697B and 697C may be waived for appropriate work experience.**PSYC 679 is required for those students interested in licensure as a marriage and family therapist.**PSYC 616 and 691 or comparable workshops are required for those students interested in licensure as a marriage and family therapist.

Comprehensive Examination Option (78 units)

1. PSYC 612. Directed Readings (2-5) for a total of (5)

2. PSYC 633. Professional Ethics and Law (4)

3. PSYC 636. Cross-Cultural Counseling (4)

4. PSYC 638. Substance Abuse: Detection, Assessment and Treatment (4)

5. PSYC 640. Advanced Methods in Psychological Research (4)

6. PSYC 654. Advanced Life-Span Developmental Psychology (4)

7. PSYC 665. Psychopathology (4)

8. PSYC 667. Family Processes (4)

9. PSYC 671. Marriage and Family Therapy Skills I (5)

10. PSYC 672. Marriage and Family Therapy Skills II (5)

11. PSYC 673. Marriage and Family Therapy Skills III (5)

12. PSYC 682. Clinical Assessment (4)

13. PSYC 687A. Marriage and Family Therapy Practicum I (2)

14. PSYC 687B. Marriage and Family Therapy Practicum II (2)

15. PSYC 687C. Marriage and Family Therapy Practicum III (2)

16. PSYC 697A. Advanced Practicum in Counseling Psychology (4)

17. PSYC 697B. Advanced Practicum in Counseling Psychology (4)

18. PSYC 697C. Advanced Practicum in Counseling Psychology (4)

19. Eight units of electives to be chosen from 500- or 600 level courses, excluding PSYC 575, 611 and 612.

20. PSYC 999A. Comprehensive Examination: Clinical Counseling (0)

Notes: *Up to eight units of PSYC 697A, 697B and 697C may be waived for appropriate work experience.
*PSYC 679 is required for those students interested in licensure as a marriage and family therapist.
*PSYC 616 and 691 or comparable workshops are required for those students interested in licensure
as a marriage and family therapist.