Master of Arts

MA in Clinical Psychology (Low Res)

 

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 needs in the community of which we are a part.

This degree is offered by AU Los Angeles.

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 unit 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.

Degree Requirements

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

Coursework

  • Field Study: Psychology and Society
  • Personality Theory I: Psychodynamic Theories
  • Personality Theory II: Comparative Contemporary Theories
  • Psychopathology
  • Assessment of Psychopathology and Treatment Planning
  • Process of Interpersonal Psychotherapy I
  • Perspectives: Trauma/Its Effects/Awareness/Recovery (3 quarter units)
  • Systems Theory and the Family I
  • Systems Theory and the Family II
  • Research For Mental Health Professionals
  • Psychopharmacology
  • Psychological Testing
  • Child and Adolescent Development
  • Contemporary Issues of Aging
  • Society and the Individual
  • Community Psychology: Theory and Methods
  • Human Sexuality
  • Professional Ethics and the Law
  • Dependency and Addiction
  • Group Treatment Methods
  • Couples Counseling
  • Treatment of Children and Adolescents
  • Domestic Violence: Spousal, Elder and Child Abuse
  • Choose one of the following:
    • Brief Therapy
    • Cognitive Behavioral Theory and Therapy
    • Treatment of Families
    • Advanced Family Systems
    • Process of Interpersonal Psychotherapy II
    • Mental Health Paradigm in Action: 21st Century Recovery Model
    • Queer Counseling and Narrative Practice
  • Clinical Readiness Activities
  • Applied Psychotherapeutic Techniques of MFT and LPCC (minimum 9 units)
  • Clinical Practicum
  • Personal Psychotherapy (Two Quarters)
  • Elective courses (17 units)

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.

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.

Flexible Schedule

With flexible schedules, students have many options for taking their core classes.

Flexible Core Courses

The majority of core classes are offered  Tuesday and Wednesday, with start times of 10:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 5:30 PM, and 7:30 PM. Multiple sections of each core class will be offered each quarter, but the exact schedule for these weekday courses will vary. Weekly core courses meet once a week for  1.5 hours.

Two core courses are all-day workshops, which may be held on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The program also offers asynchronous courses each quarter. In asynchronous courses, students work independently and do not attend class meetings.

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.

Elective Options

Electives are not held on Saturdays. Most weekly electives are offered on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday at 10:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 5:30 PM, or 7:30 PM. Most weekly electives meet once a week for 1.5  hours, though some weekly electives may meet for 2 or 2.5 hours.

A variety of elective workshops are also offered each quarter. Elective workshops meet on Friday or Sunday, typically from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Addiction and Recovery specialization electives are offered on a fixed schedule of Thursday at 5:30pm

PSY-5000W Graduate Writing Seminar and PSY-5100 Intro to Psych

Students may be required to take PSY-5000W and/or PSY-5100 in their first quarter. These classes are zero units and PSY-5000W meets Monday evenings while PSY-5100 meets asynchronously.

PSY-5100 is required of students who do not have an undergraduate degree in Psychology. Prospective students can also take this course before starting the program.

All students will take a writing assessment after New Student Orientation. This assessment will be evaluated by the second week of the quarter, and students will learn if PSY-5000W is strongly recommended or required for them.

Many students choose to take PSY-5000W even if it is not required.

 

 

Learning Outcomes

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

Licensure Information

Licensure in California

In order to practice as a marriage and family therapist or clinical counselor in the state of California, individuals must have a Masters’ 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 in States Outside of California

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. For more information, please visit Antioch’s Professional Licensure Disclosure webpage.

Additional Info

New Student Orientation

New students are required to attend an online registration/orientation event.

MA in Clinical Psychology Low Residency – New Student Orientation Dates
TermEvent Date/TimeLocation
Summer June 10th, 930am-12pm PSTZoom
FallSeptember 9, 930am-12pm PSTZoom
Orientation is mandatory for first-quarter students.

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