Clinical Counseling: Master of Arts (MA-CC), Fresno, San Francisco

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The goals of the Master of Arts in Clinical Counseling Program are to prepare highly competent professional counselors to work in multicultural communities, with individuals, groups, and social systems, to (1) promote mental health and well-being, (2) conduct appropriate and accurate assessments, and (3) apply critical thinking, reflective self-evaluation, and commitment to life-long learning in order to make decisions in service provision consistent with the Social Justice Advocacy Competencies.

Program Outcomes

The following learning outcomes integrate the eleven core competencies of the Master’s in Counseling Accreditation Council (MCAC), the eight common core areas of the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Programs (CACREP) 2009 Standards and the Professional Practice Competencies of A(lliant)-IMPACT.

Professional Identity, Values and Attitudes. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the counseling profession, the role and function of counselors in multiple settings and professional organizations. Students will demonstrate behavior and deportment that reflect the values and attitudes of counseling.
Social and Cultural Diversity. Students will demonstrate the following: an understanding of and sensitivity to issues of diversities in multiple settings including gender, race, ethnicity, mental and physical ability, socioeconomic status, religion, sexual orientation and international contexts; ability to articulate processes of intentional and unintentional oppression and domination; an understanding of counselors’ roles in eliminating bias and discrimination.
Ethical/Legal Standards and Policy. Students will demonstrate knowledge of ethical, legal and professional standards and guidelines, and have an awareness of and ability to apply ethical decision making and conduct regarding professional activities with individuals, groups, and organizations.
Reflective Practice/Self-Assessment/Self-Care. Students will demonstrate practice conducted with personal and professional self-awareness and reflection; with awareness of competencies; with appropriate self-care.
Relationships. Students will demonstrate skills in relating effectively and meaningfully with individuals, groups, and/or communities.
Scientific Knowledge and Methods. Students will demonstrate an understanding of and respect for research, research methodology, techniques of data collection and analysis, biological bases of behavior, cognitive-affective bases of behavior, being an effective consumer of research, and having skills to understand and contribute to program evaluation.
Evidence-Based Practice (EBP). Students will demonstrate integration of research and clinical expertise in the context of client factors.
Human Growth and Development. Students will demonstrate the ability to utilize theories of human growth and development in multiple settings to address the needs of clients in appropriate and relevant contexts across the lifespan.
Career Development. Students will demonstrate an understanding of and the ability to address lifespan multicultural career issues including career choice and decision making and related life factors in multiple settings.
Intervention in Helping Relationships. Students will demonstrate: an understanding of different aspects of the theory and practice of counseling and consultation; a strengths-based orientation to wellness, prevention, and resilience; an understanding of the principles of the diagnostic process. Students will use interventions designed to alleviate suffering and to promote health and well-being of individuals, groups, and/or organizations (e.g., career, group, family, and/or systems-level interventions).
Group Work. Students will demonstrate an understanding of theory and practice of group counseling and the ability to conduct group work in a multicultural society across multiple settings.
Assessment. Students will demonstrate an understanding of assessment, including standardized and nonstandardized assessment, in a multicultural society across multiple settings.
Interprofessionalism and Interdisciplinary Systems. Students will demonstrate knowledge of key issues and concepts in related disciplines. Students will identify, interact and collaborate with professionals in multiple disciplines.
Advocacy. Students will demonstrate actions targeting the impact of social, political, economic or cultural factors to promote change at the individual (client), institutional, and/or systems level.

Training Model

Clinical Counseling is a master’s level mental health profession that applies counseling and psychotherapeutic techniques to identify and remediate cognitive, mental, and emotional issues, including personal growth, adjustment to disability, psychosocial and environmental problems, and crisis intervention. The MA Clinical Counseling Program integrates the principles of mental health recovery-oriented practice. The program incorporates the educational requirements set out by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences, the Masters in Counseling Accreditation Council (MCAC) and the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Programs (CACREP) 2009 Standards. Graduates are positioned to pursue the Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) license, recently adopted by the State of California.

Students develop practitioner skills in diagnosis, treatment planning, and psychological interventions with individuals and groups. The program uses academic, experiential, research-based clinical practice approaches and direct community service learning in coursework and field placements. Integrating a strengths-based and resilience perspective, the program fosters critical consciousness and reflective thinking as students learn counseling and consultation skills found to be effective with a variety of mental health issues. Students gain multicultural competence and a strong foundation in social justice advocacy to empower the clients and communities they will serve.

Field Training

Students conduct a minimum of 280 hours of direct supervised clinical experience counseling individuals, families or groups for a total of 700 direct and indirect hours. Clinical Counseling students will utilize resources of the CSPP Psychological Services Center (PSC) and other field practica in the surrounding communities in order to gain the supervised training necessary.

Recommended Optional Training

Clinical Counseling students are highly encouraged to participate in the five-week CSPP Spanish Language and Cultural Immersion Program at Alliant International University’s Mexico City campus during the summer between Year 1 and 2. Students can also opt to take courses towards the Certificate in Latin American Family Therapy. The certificate program focuses on assisting clinicians to develop general multicultural and international competencies, an increased understanding of the historical and cultural influences impacting Latin American clients, and the ability to identify best practice procedures for assessing and addressing issues in Latin American mental health. Courses in this program will count towards the required Clinical Counseling courses

Curriculum and Degree Requirements

The 60-unit curriculum incorporates the California State Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) educational requirements outlined in the Business and Professions Code (BPC) Section 4999.33 (as required by BPC Section 4999.40(a)) - http://www.bbs.ca.gov/pdf/publications/lawsregs.pdf.

Self-growth Experiences, Reflection and Self-disclosure

Faculty, staff and supervisors have professional, ethical obligations to evaluate and ensure the interpersonal competence of trainees. Students will at times be required to participate in learning activities that require different levels of self-disclosure. This can include, but is not limited to, exploration of one’s beliefs and values and the potential impact of one’s disposition toward the backgrounds and histories of a community, clients, peers, faculty, and supervisors.

Curriculum Plan

All courses are three units unless indicated otherwise.

PSY 6701 - Group Counseling Theories and Techniques
PSY 6702 - Research Methods in Clinical Counseling
PSY 6703 - Career Development Theories and Techniques
PSY 6704 - Theories and Techniques of Clinical Counseling Practice
PSY 6705 - Professional, Legal, & Ethical Issues in Clinical Counseling
PSY 6709 - Human Development
PSY 6711 - Couple Counseling
PSY 6714 - Assessment in Clinical Counseling
PSY 6716 - Community Mental Health for Clinical Counseling
PSY 6722 - Intercultural Awareness Development
PSY 6723 - Advanced Psychopathology for Clinical Counseling
PSY 6725 - Crisis and Trauma for Clinical Counselors
PSY 6728 - Observation and Interviewing in Counseling
PSY 6742 - Chemical Dependence for Clinical Counseling
PSY 6756 - Psychopharmacology
PSY 6761 - Practicum in Clinical Counseling (1 unit)
PSY 6707 - Sexuality and Sex Therapy for Clinical Counseling (2 units)
PSY 6762 - Clinical Counseling Internship (2 semesters)
Elective Coursework (three 2-unit or two 3-unit courses for 6 units)

Note:
Students may choose to take a 3 unit course in Family Therapy as one of the electives in order to meet BBS educational requirements for conducting clinical work with couples and families after achieving licensure. Graduates would also need to complete 500 hours of clinical work with couples, families, and children as part of their 3000 postgraduate internship under the guidance of a qualified supervisor trained in work with couples and families per BPC Section 4999.20(a)(3).

Concentration Curriculum Plan

In addition to the core curriculum, students have the opportunity to take elective coursework in a concentration area.

Licensure

Graduates of CSPP’s Master of Arts in Clinical Counseling program are eligible for licensure as Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors (LPCCs) in the state of California upon completion of post-degree intern hours and passing of the licensure exams. Candidates for licensure as an LPCC in California are required to complete a total of 3,000 hours of supervised professional experience after the completion of the master’s degree. Candidates must then pass written examinations for licensure. Continuing education is required to maintain the license. As each state has its own requirements for licensure as an LPCC, it is imperative that students planning to pursue licensure in a state other than California contact the licensing board in the applicable state for information on that state’s requirements. For further information on licensure in California or other states contact:

California Board of Behavioral Sciences
1625 North Market Blvd., Suite S-200
Sacramento, CA 95834
(916) 574-7830
www.bbs.ca.gov
BBSWebmaster@bbs.ca.gov

American Counseling Association
5999 Stevenson Ave.
Alexandria, VA 22304
(800) 347-6647
www.counseling.org

California Association for Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors
1240 India Street, Unit 1302
San Diego, CA 92101-8552
www.calpcc.org

Clinical Counseling Core Faculty

Anita Sankar, PhD, Associate Professor and Program Director

For a detailed description of program faculty background and research interests, please see the alphabetical listing of Faculty for the California School of Professional Psychology.