May 17, 2025  
2015-2016 Argosy University Academic Catalog—Graduate Programs | Volume 6, Issue 1 
    
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2015-2016 Argosy University Academic Catalog—Graduate Programs | Volume 6, Issue 1 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology Degree Program—Argosy University, Inland Empire; Argosy University, Los Angeles; Argosy University, Orange County; and Argosy University, San Diego

Program Overview

The Master of Arts (MA) in Counseling Psychology degree program offered by Argosy University, Inland Empire; Argosy University Los Angeles; Argosy University, Orange County; and Argosy University, San Diego is designed to prepare students for licensure in Marriage and Family Therapy (LMFT) and Professional Clinical Counseling (LPCC). The program embraces a range of relevant theory and techniques. Curriculum and practicum field experiences emphasize basic counseling skills that integrate with individual and systems/group theoretical foundations in the field of counseling psychology.

Eligibility for Licensure

Graduates of the MA in Counseling Psychology degree program are eligible to pursue licensures in California as Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs) and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors (LPCC). The degree program is designed to meet the requirement of Business and Professions Code Section 4980.37 and 4980.40. Upon completion of educational requirements, two years of post-master’s supervised practice is required for licensure as an LMFT and LPCC. For more information and application materials related to LMFT and LPCC licensure, please contact: The Board of Behavioral Sciences, 400 R Street, Suite 3150, Sacramento, CA 95814-6240, www.bbs.ca.gov.

Masters-level certification or licensure varies from state to state. It is the student’s responsibility to determine the requirements for professional licensure in the state they wish to practice. Students interested in pursuing licensure in states other than California should contact that state’s department of professional regulation for information.

Graduation Requirements

Students enrolled in the MA in Counseling Psychology degree program are eligible for graduation when the following requirements are met:

  • Successful completion of 60 credit hours that includes:
    • 54 credit hours of core course requirements
    • 6 credit hours of practicum requirements (600 hours)
  • A minimum grade point average of at least 3.0 (on a scale of 4.0) and a grade of “B-” or better in all courses
  • Successful completion of the Counseling Psychology Competency Examination (CPCE)
  • Successful completion of the Clinical Competency Report (CCR)
  • Completion of all program requirements within five years of matriculation into the program
  • Completed Petition to Graduate form submitted to Campus Administration

Program Requirements

Students enrolled in the MA in Counseling Psychology degree program are required to successfully complete 60 credit hours distributed as follows: core course requirements, 54 credit hours; practicum requirements, 6 credit hours.  In addition to the course requirements listed above, students are required to successfully complete the Counseling Psychology Competency Examination (CPCE) and the Clinical Competency Report (CCR).

Core Course Requirements

Students enrolled in the MA in Counseling Psychology/Marriage & Family Therapy degree program are complete eighteen core courses (54 credit hours).

Core Course Requirements—Students Are Required to Take the Following

 

Core Course Requirements—54 Credit Hours

 

Practicum Requirements—Students Are Required to Take the Following

 

Practicum Requirements—6 Credit Hours

 

Practicum and Practicum Seminar Requirements

Practicum

The practicum is the first opportunity provided to students for field training in counseling psychology. The practicum provides students with the opportunity for working under supervision with a clinical population in a mental health delivery system. The practicum is an essential part of training in counseling, and all students are required to participate in the practicum experience. Liability insurance is included in the cost of the practicum.

Please see the MA in Counseling Psychology Degree Program Training Manual for procedures related to practicum and the practicum application process.

Practicum Seminar

All students enrolled in a practicum must also concurrently enroll in a practicum seminar. The seminar allows students to reflect on various practicum experiences and to acquire additional skills and attitudes useful in field training. The specific content and emphasis of the seminar varies according to the practicum setting, the focus of the enrolled students and the professional expertise of the faculty member.

Counseling Psychology Competency Examination Requirements

All students in the program are required to successfully complete the Counseling Psychology Competency  Examination (examination) during the Practica series. The examination provides an opportunity for students to demonstrate competence in the end-of-program outcomes in advanced professional practice (including assessment, theory application, skills application), social and cultural issues, multicultural competence, research, ethics, and personal and professional development (including self-reflection/awareness, written communication). 

Students should refer to the Counseling Psychology Competency Examination (CPCE) Candidate Handbook for details.

Clinical Competency Report Requirements

The Clinical Competency Report (CCR) requires students to present a taped session, a transcript, a clinical case report, and a self-evaluation related to a client that they have been working with during the Practicum. In the CCR students have the opportunity to demonstrate conceptual and theoretical abilities and their counseling skills in real world counseling situations. Students who have learned theoretical and applied concepts in classroom courses should make use of out-of-class clinical contacts (i.e., practicum, practicum seminar groups,) to refine and extend the skills that will be evaluated by the CCR.

Recommended Course Sequence for the Master of Arts (MA) in Counseling Psychology Degree Program at Argosy University, Inland Empire; Argosy University, Los Angeles; Argosy University, Orange County; and Argosy University, San Diego

Student progress through the program is intended to be sequential. Certain courses are offered to first-year students that are designed to provide a theoretical and practical foundation for courses that will follow in subsequent years. Students must satisfy all stated prerequisites for a course before registration for that course can be considered official. The MA in Counseling Psychology degree program recommended course sequence for Argosy University, Inland Empire; Argosy University, Los Angeles; Argosy University, Orange County; and Argosy University, San Diego can be obtained from the department chair.