PAU offers three master's degrees and three doctoral degrees. Across all of our graduate programs, award-winning faculty engage students through small class sizes, hands-on research, and real-world global experiences and knowledge. Because of the variety of programs offered, there are many different deadlines associated with our degree programs. Please consult with the program website, admissions information page, or the graduate catalog for the deadlines associated with your program.
Master’s Degree Programs
Master of Arts Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
The Master of Art (MA) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program prepares students to serve their communities as licensed mental health professionals. This Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree can expand career options or retool a career in a profession that makes a difference to the community. The Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is CACREP accredited.
California graduates of this program can pursue both the Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) licenses. Graduates living in other states can pursue similar licenses (see your state's licensure board regulations for qualifying degree requirements).
With residential hybrid (on-campus) and distance learning (online) options with on-ground residencies and evening class scheduling, the program offers flexibility to students who want to pursue graduate studies without needing to relocate if they are located in states where PAU is authorized to offer online educational programs.
Master of Science Degree in Psychology
The Master of Science (MS) in Psychology is an online program that serves two purposes: 1) as a PhD prep program designed to prepare students for PhD studies in clinical psychology at PAU or another institution, or 2) as a terminal degree designed for those interested in research, education, forensics, technology, or government. An MS degree in Psychology supports career advancement in fields that require social science research capability and an understanding of human behavior. The four program concentrations are:
- PhD Prep Concentration (47 units)
- Generalist Concentration (37.5 units)
- Forensic Psychology Concentration (37.5 units)
- Technology and Mental Health Concentration (39.5 units)
All coursework is delivered online and can be completed evenings and weekends, giving students the opportunity to work while enrolled.
Most of the coursework is didactic in nature and does not include an applied clinical component. Thus, the specific degree associated with the program is an MS in Psychology, not clinical psychology, even though some of the curriculum is relevant to clinical psychology.
Students in the PhD preparatory concentration will also take a clinical interviewing course in Palo Alto campus in person during one intensive week in the spring quarter of the second year.
Master of Social Work
Doctoral Degree Programs
Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology Program (PhD)
The PhD Clinical Psychology program is accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA). The PhD Clinical Psychology Program is deeply committed to educating well-rounded clinical psychologists who are capable and competent as both researchers and clinicians. Students are taught to be science minded while appreciating the larger role of psychology in alleviating suffering in the world. This balance includes learning to value evidence-based clinical models while maintaining the responsibilities psychologists have to their community, society, and profession. An outstanding faculty of clinicians and researchers provide rigorous classroom instruction, clinical supervision, and research mentoring to help students find the right balance for them. Working within a training model best described as practitioner-scientist, students systematically move through five years of coursework and practica to acquire PhD-level competence and capability in psychological theory, research, and practice.
Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education and Supervision Program (PhD)
The PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision program prepares the next generation of leaders moving the counseling profession forward by training new counselors and supervisors, researching effective clinical interventions, and providing influential leadership in organizations. The program aims to prepare doctoral students to become culturally-affirming counselor educators and supervisors.The PhD Counselor Education and Supervision program strives to advance the counseling profession into the future by training leaders who promote anti-oppressive pedagogy, scholarship, supervision, advocacy, and practice. The curriculum and educational experiences, such as our innovative multiple article dissertation and internship program, are designed to prepare students for the real, day-to-day work of counselor educators.
Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology Program (PsyD)
The PAU-Stanford PsyD Consortium training program is a full-time, five-year training program: three years of academic coursework, one year for the clinical dissertation project, and one year for a full-time doctoral internship. The nine-month academic year runs on a quarter system. Prior to their external fifth-year internship, students gain clinical experience through a three-year practicum program coordinated by the Consortium. Upon completion of all Consortium program requirements, students will be awarded their degree through Palo Alto University, and the degree will indicate that the student has completed all requirements of the PAU-Stanford PsyD Consortium.
The PAU-Stanford PsyD Consortium program requires a minimum of four full years in residence plus a program-approved external, doctoral internship in clinical psychology. The program integrates academic coursework, supervised clinical training, and research experience at every stage of the student’s progress toward the ultimate goal of a doctorate degree. All students develop a thorough understanding of the broad body of knowledge that comprises scientific psychology. They also acquire and must demonstrate skills that can be applied to a variety of clinical problems through a graded curriculum, clinical practica and other clinical, research and professional experiences in each year of study. Students must complete 2,000 hours of doctoral clinical training and a dissertation project prior to graduating.
Each cohort of Consortium students enroll together in the same prescribed program of didactic coursework over most of the first three years of the program. In the third and fourth year, a limited number of elective seminar options are available. The fourth year consists of clinical practicum training, the internship application process, and the undertaking and completion of a PsyD dissertation project. Upon advancement to candidacy, students are required to enroll in a total of thirty units of dissertation credit in the fourth year, and continue to register for three units of dissertation credit hours every quarter until the dissertation is completed. (Additional tuition & fees required, reference the dissertation handbook.) During the fifth year of the Consortium program students participate in an external, program-approved doctoral clinical internship.