The mission of the program is to prepare exemplary counselors who are committed to ethical practice in diverse global contexts. The Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is a non-thesis program that prepares individuals to provide a variety of professional counseling services to diverse client populations in a wide range of work settings. The program has a strong focus on leadership and advocacy in relation to human development issues and the provision of quality services and programs for all people.
Students can complete their courses through either residential hybrid or distance learning formats. Through distance learning, students anywhere can complete all coursework while doing practicum/internship placements in their local community. Students in the distance learning program are required to attend two residential training experiences on-campus.
Degree Requirements
In order to graduate, students must successfully complete at least 94.5 quarter units of study as well as meeting the professional and dispositional requirements of a counseling professional.
Students in all counseling program areas complete courses designed to meet program requirements specified by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) and the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS).
Clinical Contact Hours (Practicum and Internship)
In addition to the 94.5 quarter credits required for degree completion, students must complete at least a 100-hour practicum and 600-hours of internship over at least three quarters of fieldwork. Please note that some states require additional hours of clinical training for licensure. In those states where additional practicum/internship hours or coursework is required, PAU will work with students to obtain the additional hours and coursework.
MFCC Emphasis or Advanced Elective
Students must choose either to take the electives or choose the MFCC emphasis. Students who opt to take the electives must take 2 elective courses and those who opt to declare the MFCC emphasis must take two approved family and couples courses
Marriage, Family, Child Counseling (MFCC) Emphasis
The Marriage, Family, Child Counseling (MFCC) emphasis fulfills State of California requirements for Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) or dual MFT/LPCC licensure. Dual license is often an ideal option for students who are planning to practice as an MFT in the State of California but want the LPCC in case they move out of the state at some time.
Upon graduation, students are eligible to register as an Associate Marital and Family Therapist (AMFT) and/or an Associate Professional Clinical Counselors (APCC) or as defined by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS). In California, Associate Marital and Family Therapists (AMFT) are required to complete a total of 3000 supervised clinical hours (including those earned during the masters) and pass the California law and ethics exam and the licensing exam to become Licensed Marriage and Famiy Therapist (LMFT). Associate Professional Clinical Counselors are required to complete 3000 post-graduate supervised clinical hours, pass the California law and ethic exam, and pass the licensing exam to become Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors (LPCC).
The MFCC emphasis may fulfill the educational requirements for students seeking licensure in many other states and territories. Students who plan to seek marital and family therapy licensure in another state or territory besides California should research their region's specific laws and regulations before enrolling. Information on state counseling boards can be found on the web site of the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards at https://amftrb.org/.
Click the link below to view and download the course sequence for the online program. Students receive their official degree plan for their cohort prior to beginning the program.
Fall Start, Hybrid Residential 9 Quarters, MFCC Emphasis
Fall Start, Online 9 Quarters, MFCC Emphasis
Spring Start, Online 9 Quarter, MFCC Emphasis