MA in Counseling Psychology

Reimagining Professional Practice

Degree Description

The Master’s in Counseling Psychology curriculum emphasizes clinical courses as well as core courses that support the student’s evolving relationship to professional practice. The Master’s in Counseling Psychology meets the educational requirements of the California Board of Behavioral Sciences, Senate Bill 33, Section 4980.36 of the Business and Professions Code (MFT). This degree also meets the educational requirements of the California Board of Behavioral Sciences, Senate Bill 788, Section 4999.33 of the Business and Professions Code for the Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC).

"We don’t receive wisdom; we must discover it for ourselves after a journey that no one can take for us or spare us."

MARCEL PROUST

Educational Objectives

To develop leadership capacities which further professional engagement with the profession of psychology.
To develop creative inquiry practices and skills.
To identify one’s own culturally constituted, perceptual lenses.
To acquire the knowledge base of Imaginal Psychology and to differentiate it from the major orientations to Psychology.
To develop competencies for bringing principles and practices of transformative learning into cultural contexts.

At A Glance

Applications Accepted:

Quarterly

Highest Degree Required:

Bachelors

Learning Formats:

Hybrid & Online

Program Length:

24-36 Months

Total Credits Required:

92 Credits

Cost Per Credit:

$676

Accreditation:

WASC

Licensure Eligibility

California (CA) Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT)

California (CA) Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC)

Alaska (AK) Marital and Family Therapist (MFT)

Graduation Requirements

Students are required to complete 103 credits (920 hours) of which 11 credits are from fieldwork (340 hours).
Students have a maximum of six (6) years from their initial date of enrollment to complete their Master’s in Counseling Psychology degree.

Admission Requirements

A Bachelor's degree is required for admission to Meridian's graduate degree programs.
Students submit an online application form along with documents such as official transcripts, a personal statement, and letters of recommendation. The Admissions Committee reviews all applications and invites select applicants to proceed to an interview. More information is available on the Application Process page.
All students are expected to be proficient in the English language as all instruction at Meridian is offered in English.

Woman looks over her shoulder in the library while sitting at desk with laptop.

Academic Structure

Meridian’s academic structure gives students the flexibility to navigate the University’s curricular architecture in ways that match their passions, professional goals, and other life commitments.

The structure is designed to serve a diverse student body, who live around the globe, have varied cultural and clinical visions for their careers, and are at different stages in their professional journey.

Students enroll in a degree program, can elect a concentration, and register for one or multiple courses each quarter. In addition to core courses for the specific degree program and anchor courses that represent the Transformative Learning intent of Meridian’s curriculum, students select elective courses that align with their Meridian concentration, background, and career path.

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Learning Formats

Meridian's graduate degree programs are offered in two formats, Hybrid and Online. Each quarter, students take one or multiple seven-week online courses. This schedule provides students with time between quarters to rest, engage, and prepare.

The University's multiple format options are designed to enable students to pursue their graduate education at a flexible pace, combining asynchronous coursework via the University's custom social learning platform, live course video calls with faculty, synchronous student community engagement, and optional onsite or online Transformative Learning Labs in-person.

Students can optionally select Transformative Learning Lab dates, locations, and formats based on their learning style, personal interests, and professional aspirations, if they choose to, based on availability of offerings.

Online Format

In Meridian's online learning format, students can complete 100% of their coursework degree requirements online, via Meridian’s unique online learning platform and faculty-led learning model. Meridian’s online format is designed to be highly engaging and deeply human. Students build connections with faculty and fellow graduate students while taking advantage of the flexibility built-in to the University’s online courses model.

Online Transformative Learning Labs are also optionally available (often multiple times a year), sometimes as a 3+ hour live class, and sometimes over multiple days.

Hybrid Format

Meridian’s hybrid learning format combines online courses with optional onsite Transformative Learning Labs which are one-week or less. By combining Meridian’s innovative online education methodologies with rich video calls and deep onsite connections, the hybrid format enables students to contribute locally and perceive globally.

When offered, Onsite Labs take place at Meridian’s San Francisco Bay Area Center and other University Centers, based on student interest and availability.

Accreditation and Financial Aid

Meridian University is a degree-granting higher education institution accredited by the Senior Commission of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). As an accreditor, WASC is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. WASC is also an accreditor of the University of California, Berkeley, UCLA, and Stanford University.

Meridian is approved by the U.S. Department of Education for participation in the Federal Student Aid programs as well as by the U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs for the training of veterans and other eligible persons.

The University is approved by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to provide form I-20 to eligible international students, enabling travel to and stay in the United States.

Meridian offers institutional financial aid to qualified international students.