Counseling Master's Program
Overview of the Program
The Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology program at Cal Poly Humboldt prepares individuals for the independent professional practice of psychological counseling, which includes providing therapeutic services to individuals and groups experiencing psychological distress. Our program is accredited by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences and provides the educational requirements for the Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) license in the state of California. Successful completion will allow the candidate to apply for Associate (AMFT) status with the Board to accrue the post-degree hours of supervised practice necessary for state licensure.
Core Values and Objectives
In accordance with our core values, the objectives of our program are to assist students in reaching the following:
1. Gaining a knowledge-base and counseling skills for working with a diverse array of clients and from a wide
variety of theoretical orientations
2. Achieving competence in applying evidence-based tools and techniques
3. Forging a professional role and identity as a counselor that is grounded intra- and interpersonal awareness
4. Developing a commitment to social justice and multicultural counseling principles
5. Attaining a strong ethical stance and applying effective ethical decision-making
You can view the Program Handbook for more detailed information.
Please note: We are an in-person program.
Admission Requirements
Students are accepted into the program based on academic record, human services experience, demonstrated excellence in oral and written communication, and the potential for becoming effective and ethical psychotherapists.
Applicants are screened first on the basis of their application materials and then a personal interview. Students are admitted during the fall semester only.
A bachelor’s degree with substantial preparation in psychology is required. A minimum overall GPA of 3.0, some experience in human services and /or research, and goals that match the program’s objectives are expected. Two letters of reference and answers to several biographical questions must be submitted through CalState Apply by the application deadline.
The following course prerequisites are required to be completed before the start of the program:
- Intro Research Design
- Intro Statistics
- Intro to Psychology
AND at least two of the following:
- Abnormal Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Personality Theory
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Psychology
- Interviewing and Counseling
Required Courses
PSYC 518 - Advanced Developmental Psychopathology Units: 3
Advanced coverage of psychological problems in children and adolescents with particular focus on evidence-based practices. Contemporary research on assessment, treatment, prevention, and intervention are key areas of exploration.
PSYC 636 - Sexuality Counseling Units: 1
Psychological, physical, social, and clinical aspects of human sexuality designed to meet California state requirements for licensure as an MFT.
PSYC 638 - Diagnosis of Mental Disorders Units: 3
Major diagnoses of psychological disorders, strengths and weaknesses of diagnostic systems, research on origin and course of pathological outcomes, and strategies for identifying, diagnosing, and formulating treatment of psychological disorders.
PSYC 640 - Aging and Long-Term Care Units: 1
Biological, social, cognitive, and psychological aspects of aging including long-term care, end of life, and grief.
PSYC 641 - Research Methods: Philosophy and Design Units: 3
Epistemological foundations of research methods applicable to experimental, clinical/ counseling, and applied psychology. Practical research problems: design, sampling, and control.
PSYC 644 - Suicide Risk Assessment and Intervention Units: 0.5
Assessment and documentation of suicide risk and interventions for working with clients with suicide ideation. Factors that contribute to suicide risk.
PSYC 650 - Assessment and Treatment of Child Abuse Units: 0.5
Assessment and reporting of child abuse. Interventions for intervening in cases of abuse and working with individuals with previous abuse.
PSYC 653 - Advanced Psychotherapy with Children and Families Units: 3
Psychotherapy models and interventions for working with children and families, presented using developmental and ecosystemic frameworks. Topics include family, play, psychodynamic and cognitive-behavioral therapies.
PSYC 654 - Interviewing and Counseling Techniques Units: 3
Exposure to theory-based counseling techniques. Supervised practice, including video or audio taping, feedback sessions. Research findings about effectiveness.
PSYC 656 - Couples Therapy Units: 3
Introduction to marital/couple therapy: major theories of relationship counseling and therapy, assessment techniques, domestic violence, ethics. Emphasis on experiential learning and demonstration of marital/couple counseling.
PSYC 657 - Group Counseling and Group Psychotherapy Units: 3
Theories and principles in group counseling. Develop group therapy leadership skills.
PSYC 658 - Theories of Individual Counseling and Psychotherapy Units: 3
Introduction to major theories in counseling. Focus on theory, application of techniques to clinical practice, and empirical validation.
PSYC 660 - Law and Ethics in Psychology Units: 3
Ethics and California law applicable to the counseling profession.
PSYC 662 - Practicum Preparation Units: 1
Seminar approach to various clinical issues regarding practicum placement. May include case study, skill enhancement exercises.
PSYC 664 - Assessment and Testing for Psychotherapists Units: 3
Overview of formal psychological testing and assessment, administering tests within the boundaries of competence, and writing psychological assessment reports.
PSYC 672 - Psychopharmacology Units: 3
This course will focus on the clinical application of psychotropic medications in the treatment of psychiatric disorders. Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of all major classes of medications will be covered.
PSYC 673 - Mental Health Addiction and Recovery Units: 1
Overview of drug abuse and co-occurring disorders including assessment, prevention, treatment, recovery, and social- cultural dimensions.
PSYC 676 - Multicultural Counseling Units: 3
Training in theories, research and counseling strategies in multicultural psychology. Development of multicultural counseling skills, including self-awareness and the impact of bias, oppression and privilege on mental health and counseling.
PSYC 682 - Fieldwork Units: 1-6 (Required: 16 units total)
Supervised practicum experience in specific settings to meet BBS requirements. Field placements are consonant with student and community needs. These placements are arranged with the student, their faculty supervisor, the Program Coordinator, and selected agencies with approved licensed supervisors at the end of the first year or during the second year of the program.
In addition, students will be required to complete a culminating experience. For more information refer to the Culminating Experience section of this document. The following courses are required for each option:
Culminating Experience Option 1: Comprehensive Exam
PSYC 678 - Comprehensive Exam Preparation Units: 3
Prepare for and review material for the comprehensive exam, including integrating knowledge across major content areas of the discipline and applying knowledge to clinical cases.
PSYC 691 - Comprehensive Exam for Counselors Units: 0
The exam will consist of multiple choice and essay questions that cover the major domains of the program.
Culminating Experience Option 2: Thesis
PSYC 690 - Thesis Units: 1-6 (minimum of 3 units)
Guided investigation of research problem culminates in formal report in compliance with Cal Poly Humboldt standards.
How to Apply
All applicants apply to the university through CalState Apply. Applications for the following year open October 1st. The deadline to apply and provide all supplemental materials is February 1st. All applications received by this date will receive full consideration, and initial admission decisions are made by April 1st. Two letters of reference and a response to autobiographical questions must be submitted through CalState Apply by the application deadline.
Contact Us
Administrative Analyst, Psychology
Faculty Coordinator
