Offered at: San Luis Obispo Campus
https://psycd.calpoly.edu/graduate
The Master of Science in Psychology is a professional degree program designed to train highly competent master-level clinicians who are academically prepared to obtain the marriage and family therapy (MFT) license in the State of California. The program places a heavy emphasis on clinical skill training and applied experience that begins early in the program and culminates with an intensive supervised traineeship in a community mental health setting. Successful completion of the program satisfies the educational and training requirements for post-graduate Associate MFT eligibility and eventual BBS MFT licensure once all subsequent training and experience standards are met.
Requirements for Admission
Students apply via Cal State Apply and must submit a transcript, personal statement addressing motivation for pursuing a Psychology Master’s at Cal Poly, and three letters of recommendation. Personal statement instructions and other application requirements can be found on the Psychology Graduate Programs website.
International Students must meet all the standard eligibility criteria and demonstrate proficiency in English (English Proficiency Exam Requirements)
Prerequisites:The MS in Psychology accepts applicants from all disciplines (e.g. English, Biology, Philosophy). Accepted applicants must have five (5) program prerequisites (3 semester/4 quarter units each) prior to entering the program:
- Research Methods of Psychology (or related field)
- Introductory Statistics
- Personality Theory/Psychology
- Abnormal Psychology
- Developmental Psychology/Lifespan Development
Minimum GPA: The M.S. Psychology Program accepts applicants with a wide variety of undergraduate degrees. All applicants must have a baccalaureate degree from an institution accredited by a regional association and a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the last 60 semester (90 quarter) units attempted (we will review applications with a 2.5 GPA and higher).
Application due date: Students begin in Fall semester. Please see Graduate Student Dates and Deadlines for application deadlines.
Advancement to Candidacy
The Working Formal Study Plan (WFSP) and Advancement to Candidacy must be completed with your faculty advisor in the first quarter you are enrolled. It demonstrates your plan for completing core course requirements and electives. Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 in all coursework completed in the program
Culminating Experience
Students can choose one of two options:
- Comprehensive Exam: This is a cumulative learning and assessment experience covering the entire M.S. curriculum. The exam consists of 100 multiple choice questions covering core curriculum domains and five essays on the following subjects: assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning and intervention, legal and ethical issues, and cultural considerations. It is a rigorous test of the student's breadth and depth of clinical knowledge. It also mirrors the state’s licensure exam.
- Thesis: A student aiming to write a thesis will begin by establishing a thesis committee to be comprised of a chairperson and two readers. The student will write a thesis proposal consisting of: Introduction (Definition of Terms; Brief review of the Literature; Statement of the Problem; Hypothesis); Method (Subjects; Instruments; Procedure; Analysis); and References. The student will present the proposal to the thesis committee to achieve approval for the project. The thesis process culminates with the thesis defense, wherein the student meets with the thesis committee to present results, integrate suggestions, and obtain approval of the completed work. Students should assume a thesis project and process will take at least one year to complete.
Program Learning Objectives
- Develop the intrapersonal and interpersonal knowledge and skills required for ethical, efficacious, and culturally responsive clinical practice.
- Demonstrate written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills conducive to empathic, respectful, and collaborative working relationships with diverse individuals, children, couples, families, and professionals.
- Demonstrate legal, ethical, and documentation knowledge of marriage and family therapy practice and how to apply these standards to diverse populations and contexts, such as public agencies, schools, and private practice.
- Conduct evidence-based, culturally responsive core and advanced counseling and psychotherapy skills with diverse individuals, children, couples, and families.
- Conduct evidence-based, culturally responsive assessment and diagnostic procedures with diverse individuals, children, couples, and families.
- Conduct evidenced-based, culturally responsive treatment planning, progress notation, and discharge planning with diverse individuals, children, couples, and families.
- Demonstrate ability to access and utilize research as critical consumers to implement best practices strategies with diverse clients and issues.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| REQUIRED COURSES | ||
| PSY 5510 | Marriage & Family Therapy: Theory and Practice | 3 |
| PSY 5512 | Theories of Psychotherapy in Context | 3 |
| PSY 5515 | Counseling & Communication | 4 |
| PSY 5516 | Multicultural and Social Justice Counseling | 3 |
| PSY 5520 | Adult Diagnosis and Treatment Planning | 3 |
| PSY 5522 | Psychological Assessment | 4 |
| PSY 5526 | Group Therapy | 3 |
| PSY 5528 | Gender and Human Sexuality | 2 |
| PSY 5530 | Legal and Ethical Issues in Marriage and Family Therapy | 3 |
| PSY 5540 | Couples and Relational Therapy | 2 |
| PSY 5542 | Child and Adolescent Diagnosis and Treatment Planning | 3 |
| PSY 5545 | Advanced Family Therapy: Attachment, Trauma, and Parenting | 3 |
| PSY 5550 | Research Methods in Counseling | 3 |
| PSY 5552 | Child and Adolescent Therapy | 3 |
| PSY 5555 | Contemporary Approaches in Marriage and Family Therapy | 2 |
| PSY 5558 | Assessment and Treatment of Substance Use Disorders | 3 |
| PSY 5560 | Community Mental Health: Issues and Practices | 2 |
| PSY 5565 | Psychopharmacology for Therapists | 2 |
| PSY 5585 | Counseling Clinic Practicum-Group Seminar | 4 |
| PSY 5586 | Counseling Clinic Practicum-Supervision | 5 |
| PSY 5595 | Traineeship: Marriage and Family Therapy | 9 |
| PSY 5597 | Comprehensive Examination 1 | 0 |
| Total Units | 69 | |