MA in Clinical Psychology (Low Residency)
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. At Antioch University, you’ll join a community of students and faculty who are active, compassionate, and socially conscious. Offered as a low-residency program with conveniently scheduled courses, we plan to increase access to training, so graduates are prepared to meet the needs in the community in which we are a part.
This degree is offered by Antioch University's Los Angeles Campus.
Program Overview
The Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology program prepares you to work in contemporary psychotherapy 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 conscious citizen of the world.
The 90-quarter credits program meets the education requirements in the state of California for licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT). Students can also choose to complete additional courses to qualify for licensure as a Professional Clinical Counselor (PCC). Our Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology program is known for the successful preparation of highly trained, multiculturally competent therapists. This program will help you develop expertise in emerging areas of practice, enrich your professional experience, increase appreciation for cultural diversity, and develop a successful career path. Additional specializations are available in our on-campus program.
You are encouraged to explore multiple perspectives and approaches and to engage instructors and peers in collaborative learning experiences. Beyond the courses, you have the opportunity to apply your knowledge and skills by practicing therapy under professional supervision at one of over 100 affiliated mental health services agencies. Students seeking licensure outside of California must have clinical training sites approved by the Clinical Training director.
Students in the Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology program choose from one of our unique and richly stimulating specializations in:
- Addiction and Recovery,
- Child Studies,
- Spiritual and Depth Psychology
- or General Practice Specialization,
Each track has a highly-regarded curriculum that is embedded in the program. The tracks 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.
The Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology degree is a 90-quarter credits program, taken over eight full-time quarters or 16 part-time quarters.
President's Merit Scholarship
The President’s Merit Scholarships are awarded to new students seeking a master’s degree. Awards are determined by prior academic performance (minimum 3.40 GPA) and work/life experience. Awards of $6000 are distributed equally over the first two academic years of a student’s program. You must remain enrolled full-time, and your academic progress will be reviewed each term. You must complete each course in which you are registered in order to continue receiving the scholarship. To learn about this scholarship and more, visit our Scholarships and Grants page.
Additional Information
MAP Low Residency students will take courses in three different modalities: Synchronous, Asynchronous, and Workshop formats.
Synchronous weekly core courses on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 12:00 PM, 5:30 PM, and 7:30 PM for 90 minutes. Elective courses are offered on Thursdays at various times and lengths.
Asynchronous courses are offered every quarter for specific topics. These courses are self-paced and require the student to log in and respond to discussion posts and assignments weekly.
A variety of courses are offered as workshops each quarter. Workshops meet on Saturday or Sunday, typically from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
In addition to the required core classes, students will take 17 credits of elective coursework. These electives will be a mix of weekly classes and all-day workshops.
Most weekly electives fall under a specialization and are offered on a fixed schedule of Thursdays throughout the day.
A variety of elective workshops are also offered each quarter. Elective workshops meet on Saturday or Sunday, typically from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
The Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology is designed to meet the following objectives:
- Prepare students for MFT and/or LPCC licensure in California and for doctoral study in psychology
- Develop reflective psychotherapists 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 meet the needs of California’s diverse communities
New students are required to attend an online registration/orientation event.
MA in Clinical Psychology Low Residency - New Student Orientation Dates
| Term | Event Date/Time |
|---|---|
| Summer | June 13 |
| Fall | September 12 |
| Winter | March 13 |
| Spring | June 12 |
| Orientation is mandatory for first-quarter students. | |
Licensure
This program is designed to lead to state licensure.
In order to practice as a marriage and family therapist or clinical counselor in the state of California, individuals must have a Master’ level education and register through the California Board of Behavioral Sciences.
To become a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in California, practitioners must:
- Obtain a qualifying Master’s degree
- Register as an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT)
- Pass the California Law and Ethics Exam
- Accrue supervised experience - 3,000 total supervised hours, over 104 weeks (minimum). Hours include those accrued during school.
- Pass the California Marriage and Family Therapy Exam
To become a licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) in California, practitioners must:
- Obtain a qualifying Master’s degree
- Register as an Associate Professional Clinical Counselor (APCC)
- Pass the California Law and Ethics Exam
- Accrue supervised experience - 3,000 postgraduate total supervised hours, over 104 weeks (minimum).
- Pass the California Clinical Mental Health Counseling Exam
Licensure requirements of state boards and licensing agencies vary from state to state in the United States, as well as internationally. Additionally, licensure requirements may change over time. Consequently, successful completion of Antioch degree requirements does not guarantee that a state or overseas board or licensing agency will accept a graduate’s application for licensure. States and countries may require additional coursework and clinical placement hours not included in the Antioch curriculum. Students are responsible for researching the educational requirements for the intended licensure or certification in the state(s), or countries, where they will seek licensure or certification.
Faculty Spotlights
Lauren E. Brdecka
Adjunct Faculty
Dr. Vallerie E. Coleman, Ph.D
Adjunct Faculty
Kaela Farrise, LMFT
Adjunct Faculty
Kristen Muché
Clinical Supervisor, Adjunct Lecturer
Admissions
How to Apply
- Start your online application.
- Submit an official transcript showing your bachelor’s degree conferral from a regionally accredited college or university. If you attended an undergraduate program outside of the United States, please see the international transcript evaluation instructions on our website for further information.
- Electronic transcripts: Have your institution send them to [email protected]. Many institutions offer electronic delivery through Parchment and National Student Clearinghouse.
- Mailed transcripts: Send to our central campus location:
Antioch University
Attn: Admissions
900 Dayton Street
Yellow Springs, Ohio 45387
- Complete and submit the admissions essay. See essay prompt for details and instructions.
- Optional: Submit one professional letter of recommendation from a current or former instructor, employer, or mental health professional who can speak to your potential for success in graduate study in psychology. Letters from peer coworkers, friends, relatives, or personal therapists will not be reviewed.
- Submit the $50 application fee.
Note: The application fee is waived for anyone attending an information session. Interested in attending? Sign up now!
After we receive your application, the admissions team will contact you about a virtual group interview.
Application Deadline
| Quarter | Priority Deadline* | Application Deadline*** |
|---|---|---|
| Summer | February 1 | March 15 |
| Fall | March 15 | August 1 |
| Winter | August 1 | November 1 |
| *International application deadline is priority deadline | ||
| Please review the Academic Calendar for additional details. | ||
Cost
Clinical Psychology (MA) & Psychological Studies (MA)
| Cost per credit | $ 956 |
|---|---|
| View the Cost of Attendance Components | |
Financial Aid
A majority of AULA students finance their education through some form of financial aid. You may not be sure which federal, state, public and private aid packages – such as loans, scholarships, and grants—are right for you. Our staff is here to help you, so you can focus on what’s most important: beginning your academic program at AULA.
Start your Antioch Journey
Take your next step - talk to our admissions team to find the right program for you.