MA in Clinical Psychology, Healthy Aging

Lend strength to older adults and their families.

As our population ages, the need for professionals that have experience in working with elders will rise exponentially. By focusing on the psychological, physical, and social needs of adults over the age of 50, you will become highly skilled in helping patients overcome the life challenges that occur as individuals age. Be prepared to guide, assist, and support adults and their families through rigorous, yet rewarding coursework that places a special emphasis on strength-based, holistic counseling approach. Our MA in Clinical Psychology concentration in Healthy Aging earned AUSB the CAMFT Award for Outstanding School, recognizing the program’s innovative model of education for future professional providers of mental health services to our country’s fastest-growing and most underserved population – older adults and their families.

This degree is offered by AU Santa Barbara.

Program Overview

AUSB’s Healthy Aging concentration is unique in its focus on a strength-based, holistic counseling approach that supports resilience in older adults and their families. Students in the Healthy Aging concentration meet all course requirements towards MFT licensure while focusing on the psychological, physical, and social needs of the growing population of older adults and their families.

This concentration is a response to the critical need in the counseling field, for professionals to serve the expanding and growing needs of adults over 50 and their families. Students who complete this concentration will be well equipped to meet the growing demand, both nationally and globally, for trained professionals with an expertise in Healthy Aging.

The concentration includes:

• Assessment and counseling skills around the challenges and opportunities of healthy aging from a wellness perspective
• Support and prevention resources for families and caretakers of older individuals
• Emergency and crisis intervention training
• Clinical fieldwork and supervision
• All of the courses required for licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist in the 95-unit program

Degree Requirements

Requirements

• Total Units 96 for Healthy Aging MFT (or 105 units with optional 9th quarter MFT/LPCC).
• This concentration meets the educational requirements for California licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist with a concentration in counseling with older adults.

Course Sequence

Fall Quarter:

• Theories of Psychotherapy in Context
• Human Development and Diversity
• Multicultural Awareness: Self, Culture, and Context
• Crisis, Disaster and Emergency Response*

Winter Quarter:

• Research Methods*
• Clinical Skills I: The Psychotherapeutic Relationship
• Contemporary Theories of Psychotherapy
• Social, Cultural, and Systemic Aspects of Aging

Spring Quarter:

• Theories of Family Systems
• Psychological Assessment: Evaluating Individuals and Systems in Context*
• Clinical Skills II: The Psychotherapeutic Process
• Group Theories*
• Professional Ethics and the Law

Summer Quarter:

• Psychopathology *
• Clinical Skills with Families and Couples
• Practicum: Professional Orientation -w-
• Domestic Violence: Spousal, Elder and Child Abuse
• Healthy Development Throughout the Aging Process

Fall Quarter:

• Practicum I: Clinical Evaluation and Crisis Intervention with Older Adults
• The Process of Group Psychotherapy
• Psychopharmacology for Therapists*
• Clinical Skills with Older Adults

Winter Quarter:

• Practicum II: Treatment Planning and Clinical Interventions with Older Adults and their Families
• Intimate Relationships
• Substance-Related Disorders and Other Addictive Behaviors*
• Loss and Bereavement Through the Life Cycle -w-

Spring Quarter:

• Practicum III: Case Conceptualization with Older Adults and their Families
• Advanced Family Therapy: Special populations -w-
• Psychotherapy with Children and Adolescents
• Community Mental Health
• Substance-Related & Co-Occurring Disorders in the Older Adult*

Summer Quarter:

• Practicum IV: Integrating Clinical Skills with Older Adults and their Families
• Advanced Family Therapy: Evidence-Based Practice*
• Trauma Counseling
• Human Sexuality and Counseling*

Optional Fall Quarter to add LPCC coursework:

• Evaluation Outcome and Research*
• Social and Cultural Factors of Assessment and Evaluation*
• Career Theories and Practice in the System *
• Psychopharmacology for Therapists *

* = online/hybrid or weekend
w = weekend only

Admissions

Application Deadlines

AUSB practices rolling admission. Completed applications are reviewed on an on-going basis and admission decisions are provided promptly. The Priority Deadline guarantees priority consideration for specific financial aid programs and scholarships, as well as the earliest decision notification. International applicants are encouraged to apply by the Priority Deadline.

Application Requirements

How to Apply

For the concentration in Health Aging, please see admissions information for the MA in Clinical Psychology.

Caring Together Caregiver Symposium

The MA in Clinical Psychology program partnered with the Santa Barbara Family Service Agency and Alzheimer’s Association to present Caring Together Caregiver Symposium. Below are videos of the Keynote Presentation “Finding Gratitude and Positive Meaning in Family Caregiving” with Barry J. Jacobs, PsyD and Julia L. Mayer, PsyD and a panel discussion with professional representatives of organizations serving caregivers, as well as a Q & A session.

BA-to-Grad Pathway

Eligible undergraduate students can fast track their graduate degree, including our MFA, MA in Clinical Psychology, or PsyD in Clinical Psychology programs, by applying for admission through one of AUSB’s Pathway programs. Those accepted receive grants applied toward BA tuition. Learn more about our BA Pathway programs.