Earning your Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling opens a wide range of career possibilities for a rewarding career. Our Master's degree offers integrated training and nuanced skills, with a focus on cultural consciousness, personal reflection, and service to a vibrant, diverse client population.
Palo Alto University is one of just eight California higher education institutions with a Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Program (CACREP) accredited Master of Arts in Counseling program.
Counseling careers are in high demand – the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects mental health counseling job growth to expand by 25% over the next decade. And our graduates are incredibly successful, with licensure exam passage rights much higher than the California state average.
PAU offers high-quality training that is flexible and more personalized than the other master's level degrees. Counseling is not a skill set you can learn by reading a book. You won't sit through one-dimensional lectures and "engage" through lengthy essays at PAU. Our courses go beyond theory, teaching real clinical interpersonal skills.
Whether pnline or hybrid options, students engage in our "flipped classroom" approach to instruction. Learners watch videos, read lessons, and write papers prior to class. During class time, you'll participate in interactive, small-group learning experiences through breakout sessions or Zoom Rooms.
Together with your peers and the support of your instructor and teaching assistant, you'll engage in discussions and clinical role-plays, challenging each other, and exploring ways to expand your skills.
Our curriculum meets very high CACREP standards. We provide students with the highest level of educational experiences, as well as tools to excel on certification and licensure exams. For example, PAU graduates' pass rate for the California Board of Behavioral Sciences LMFT licensure exam is 20% higher than the state's average, and our PCC rates are 9% higher.
The MA in Clinical Mental Health Counciling curriculum includes:
Upon graduation, you will be prepared to take the Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) and/or Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) examinations for licensure and certification in California or another state if you meet its educational qualifications. If you need more hours or coursework, we will help you achieve your goals. Learn more.
Visit our MA in Counseling Admissions Page to Learn More.
When I signed up at Palo Alto University, I never imagined I could end up working in the Silicon Valley tech world. Learn More about Milagros.
Most students choose to enter the workforce straightaway after obtaining their MA in Counseling – the majority of counseling-related positions do not require a doctorate. With your MA, you'll find a number of fulfilling careers, depending on your chosen track.