MA in Clinical Psychology

Advocate for and implement change by helping others.

Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Clinical Counselors are engaged people, involved in real relationships that require commitment and genuine emotions in the midst of professional work. Our clinical psychology degree program emphasizes authentic relationships. At Antioch University, you’ll join a community of students and faculty who are active, engaged, and socially conscious. You’ll be part of a small cohort of classmates in an environment that fosters collaboration. Offered in two locations – on campus and in Downtown Los Angeles.

This degree is offered by AU Los Angeles.

Program Overview

The Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology program prepares you to work in today’s society by introducing you to a wide range of theories and techniques. You are challenged to look inward and arrive at new psychological insights that will help you develop greater depth as a psychotherapist and socially-engaged citizen of the world.

The 90-unit program meets the educational requirements for licensure as a California Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) and by including the PCC specialization as part of your degree program as a Professional Clinical Counselor (PCC). Our Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology program is known for the successful preparation of compassionate, highly trained, multiculturally competent therapists.

Students in the Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology program choose from one of our unique and richly stimulating specializations in Addiction and Recovery, Applied Community Psychology, Child Studies, General Practice Specialization, LGBT-Affirmative Psychology, Professional Clinical Counselor, Psychological Trauma Studies, and Spiritual and Depth Psychology. Each specialization has a highly-regarded curriculum that is embedded in the program. The specializations were developed to meet the growing demand for clinicians with expertise in focused areas of practice, enrich your experience, increase appreciation for cultural diversity, and help develop a successful career path in a chosen area of interest.

Inside the classroom, you are encouraged to explore multiple perspectives and approaches and to engage instructors and peers in mutually-beneficial learning experiences. Beyond the classroom walls, you have the opportunity to implement your learning by practicing therapy under professional supervision at one of over 100 affiliated mental health services agencies.

Degree Requirements

The Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology degree is a 90-unit program, taken over 8 full-time quarters or 16 part-time quarters.

Take a look at the catalog for a full list of requirements and courses.

Prerequisite

PSY-5100: Introduction to Psychotherapy Theory and Practice (0 units)
New students may also be required to complete PSY-5100: Introduction to Psychotherapy Theory and Practice during or (at the student’s option) prior to the first quarter of study. If so, the course must be successfully completed in order to advance in the program.
The following pertains to a student who earns a No Credit evaluation in this course:

• If a student fails the final paper for PSY-5100: Introduction to Psychotherapy Theory and Practice, the student has one opportunity to redo it within the same quarter.

If the student does not pass the course the second time, the following consequence will occur:

• The student will be withdrawn from the MAP Program. The student’s registration may be voided if necessary. The student, following procedures specified elsewhere in this catalog, may appeal the No Credit decision and its consequences.

If a student receives a No Credit for some reason other than failure to successfully complete the final exam/final paper, the student may appeal to the Psychology Department Chair to request remediation that does not result in withdrawal from the program.

Waiver of the PSY 5100 Requirement

Normally, an incoming student would not be required to take this course if the student has, within the last five years, completed a psychology degree or taken and achieved a B or better on the following coursework at a regionally accredited college or university:

• Personality Theory
• Abnormal Psychology
• Developmental Psychology

If, however, in the opinion of the admissions interviewer, an incoming student needs the coursework to prepare them for our program, the student may be required to take the course regardless of prior study in psychology.

Course Schedule Options

Full-Time and Part-Time Course Loads

There are two options for MACP students to choose from, full-time and part-time. A full-time course load is a minimum of 8 units, and a half-time course load is 4-7 units.

Students who want to complete the program in two years will need to be full-time and take 8-12 units per quarter. The minimum length of the program is two years, and students cannot complete the program in less than two years by taking more than 12 units in a quarter.

Cohort Schedules

The cohort schedule is great for full-time students who have limited availability because they will take over half of their courses on one day of the week. Cohort students take between nine and twelve units each quarter and must remain full-time to stay in the cohort. Students who join a cohort are guaranteed a seat in their cohort’s classes.

Flexible Schedule

The flexible schedule is similar to a traditional college schedule. Students may be full-time or part-time. Each quarter, flex schedule students can choose both which courses and how many units they will take.

Electives

In addition to the required core classes, students will take 17 units of elective coursework. These electives will be a mix of weekly classes and all-day workshops.

Learning Outcomes

The Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology is designed to meet the following objectives:

• Prepare students for MFT or LPCC licensure in California and for doctoral study in psychology
• Develop eclectically trained practitioners who are sensitive to issues of diversity, including gender, class, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, and disability
• Promote student personal growth and development
• Provide practical clinical experience in highly varied, community-based mental health settings
• Train mental health professionals to successfully meet the needs of Southern California’s diverse communities

Additional Info

New Student Orientation

New students are required to attend registration/orientation and a campus resource day.

MA in Clinical Psychology – New Student Orientation Dates

Events are located at the AULA Campus: 400 Corporate Pointe, Culver City, CA 90230

Please note:
Saturday cohorts begin every term, and the weekday cohort is only offered during Winter Term.