The Master of Arts in Clinical Counseling (MACC) program can be completed in two years of continuous enrollment. Classes are designed as collaborative learning experiences where students and instructors are engaged in experiential classroom learning. Students learn in community as they participate in a cohort experience that not only provides for a great learning environment, but also develops a network of colleagues who share common goals.

Students in the MACC program will learn about the distinct professional identities of a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) or a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). During the second year of the program, students enroll in supervised practicum as clinical counseling trainees. Our practicum students are required to serve the community of San Diego by providing no/low-cost counseling at our on-site training clinic in Mission Valley before being placed in off-site practicum locations.

Upon graduation the student applies to the Board of Behavioral Sciences to become a registered associate and then continues to accrue the necessary hours of clinical experience in order to sit for the state licensing examination to become either an LPCC or an LMFT.

Program Learning Outcomes

The core curriculum of the Master of Arts in Clinical Counseling program is to develop students with these key outcomes:

1. Demonstrate competent application of theoretical models and research-based clinical interventions to therapeutic work with individuals, couples, groups, and/or families.
2. Develop and apply self-awareness and professional ethics to the practice of psychotherapy.
3. Demonstrate competence in working with clients from diverse backgrounds, particularly in settings where sociocultural factors influence treatment and access to care is limited.

Clinical Training

The MACC program includes the application of theory in direct clinical experience. While enrolled in supervised practicum courses, students have the opportunity to provide direct clinical service to clients in community agencies approved by the school. Before placement at an external agency, students will provide psychotherapy to one or more clients at the on-site training clinic, the Center for Enriching Relationships. Upon successful completion of this initial experience and approval by the training staff, students will secure a practicum site in the community and complete a 10-12 month traineeship. Although particular site requirements vary, all students will complete 700 total hours of supervised training (300 of which is face-to-face, direct service). Student suitability to provide mental health services will be evaluated by the training staff in an on-going manner, and any evidence of concerns (i.e. ethical violations, patterns of personal characteristics and/or behavior that poses risk to the welfare of the client) may lead to remediation or potential dismissal from the program.

Personal Therapy Requirement

Over the course of the program, MACC students are required to receive 20 hours of personal psychotherapy from a licensed clinician. Students may complete this requirement in an individual or group setting. Two hours of group therapy or one hour of individual therapy counts as one hour of credit toward the requirement. At least ten of the twenty hours must be individual or group therapy and up to ten hours can be marital or family therapy. This requirement must be completed prior to graduation.

Comprehensive Examination

As a final assessment of competency, each student must pass the Comprehensive Examination, a computerized mock license exam that reflects program coursework and obtained clinical knowledge. This examination is administered during PSY 6097. Passing the Comprehensive Examination is required for graduation.

Program Prerequisites

Prior to beginning this program, the following course requirements must be completed:

•    General Psychology
•    Abnormal Psychology
•    Human Development

An official transcript from a regionally accredited institution is the required documentation.

Transfer Options

Transfer credit is defined as graduate credit earned at another accredited institution. Students may request transfer courses to be considered for application to a degree program. Any transfer courses to be considered for application to a degree program must be recommended by the school dean/department chair with final approval residing with the Registrar. No more than one sixth of the program units may be transferred to the degree, and all coursework must have been completed within the last seven years at an accredited institution and may not have been previously used for completion of a graduate degree program.

Admission Requirements

Point Loma Nazarene University assesses the Master of Arts in Clinical Counseling applicants on the basis of evidence submitted via application documentation. Applications will be processed upon receipt of all required materials. To be admitted into the Clinical Counseling program, an applicant must meet these requirements:

1. Submit a completed Point Loma Nazarene University online application form.
2. Have earned a bachelor’s degree or graduate degree from an accredited institution, with a cumulative undergraduate or graduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.000 or higher on a 4.000 scale¹. All hours at the degree level from accredited institutions will be considered in calculating the cumulative GPA. Applicants must submit one official transcript from all colleges and universities attended for undergraduate and graduate work.

Note: Official Transcript: a transcript with a registrar’s seal from the institution granting credit sent directly to

Point Loma Nazarene University
3900 Lomaland Dr.
San Diego, CA 92106

If your University provides official electronic transcripts, please email to gradprocessing@pointloma.edu. 

1. Submit a professional resume.
2. Submit a 500-600 word² Statement of Purpose addressing the following topics:
   • What formative experiences have helped clarify your desire to go into clinical counseling?
   • What qualities and characteristics do you possess that would make you an effective counselor?
   • Why have you chosen to pursue a degree in clinical counseling at this time in your life?
   • Why are you interested in PLNU?
   • What are your career goals? 

¹

Contact a graduate enrollment counselor regarding the exceptions process if you don't meet the minimum GPA requirement.

²

The five-paragraph essay is to be formatted in APA style and should reflect your best writing. For help in writing the essay, see statementofpurpose.com. Your paper will be graded on a 5-point scale, and you must receive a minimum 3.5 to meet the benchmark.

Program Eligibility

Point Loma Nazarene University assesses the Master of Arts in Clinical Counseling applicants on the basis of evidence submitted via online application documentation. Applications will be processed upon receipt of all required materials. To be admitted into the Clinical Counseling program, an applicant must meet these requirements:

• Submit online application for admissions (includes $50 non-refundable application fee)
  • Fee waived if applicant is one of the following: PLNU alum, current or former military and their dependents, PLNU employee
• Submit official transcripts with proof of earned baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution.
  • Send official transcripts by mail to:
    Point Loma Nazarene University
    Office of Graduate Admissions
    3900 Lomaland Drive
    San Diego, CA 92106
  • Send official transcripts by email to: gradprocessing@pointloma.edu
• Submit a resume/vita
• Submit three professional references including name, title, phone, and email for each reference
• Background check through LiveScan
• Completion of the MMPI 2 or 3 personality assessment
• Interview with the Department of Graduate Psychology
• Ensure undergraduate course prerequisites are met

Exceptions Policy: If you have below a 3.000 GPA in your baccalaureate degree you will need to speak with your enrollment counselor for more information on the exceptions materials needed for your particular program.

Course List

Code	Title	Units
Required Courses
PSY 6001	Spiritual Integration in Clinical Practice	3
PSY 6008	Lifespan Development	3
PSY 6009	Multicultural Theories and Development	3
PSY 6011	Professional Ethics and Law	3
PSY 6021	Psychodiagnostics and Mental Disorder Treatment	3
PSY 6022	Clinical Skills	3
PSY 6025	Counseling Theories and Faith Integration I	3
PSY 6026	Counseling Theories and Faith Integration II	3
PSY 6027	Treatment of Children and Adolescents	3
PSY 6029	Systemic and Family Therapy	3
PSY 6031	Couples Therapy	3
PSY 6033	Career Development	3
PSY 6045	Group Counseling	3
PSY 6050	Psychological Testing and Assessment	3
PSY 6058	Crisis and Trauma Counseling	3
PSY 6060	Human Sexuality	3
PSY 6065	Psychopharmacology	3
PSY 6075	Treatment of Substance Use Disorders	3
PSY 6090	Research Methodology	3
PSY 6093	Personal Therapy Requirement	0
PSY 6099	Comprehensive Examination	0
Practicum Courses
PSY 6095	Supervised Practicum I	2
PSY 6096	Supervised Practicum II	2
PSY 6097	Supervised Practicum III	2
Extension Course (as needed):
PSY 6098 (A,B,C)	Practicum Extension	0-2
Total Units		63-65

Graduation Requirements

In order to earn and receive a Master of Arts in Clinical Counseling degree, a student must satisfy all of the following:

1. Successful completion of all core requirements, an area of concentration, and the project or thesis,
2. A completed Application for Program Completion conveyed to the Office of the Registrar,
3. Payment in full of all tuition, fees, and other financial obligations owed to the university, including a degree processing fee,
4. All requirements completed within eight years from the time of initial enrollment,
5. All courses must be completed with a grade of B- or better.  Grades of B- or lower may be repeated for grade improvement,
6. Completion of the Personal Therapy Requirement,
7. Pass the Comprehensive Examination, and
8. Completion of an Exit Survey.