California Baptist University


M.S. in Counseling Psychology

Campus-Based Options

On-Campus Location:

California Baptist University
8432 Magnolia Avenue
Riverside, CA 92504

M.S. in Counseling Psychology Program Page

 

Program details below are quoted from program websites, supplied here for informational purposes only, and subject to change at any time. Refer to the program website for current information, deadlines, complete admission requirements, etc. It is the responsibility of the prospective student to verify with program administrators program details and that the program still meets BBS requirements for licensure in the state of California.

Program Snapshot

Accreditation

WSCUC

Concentrations/Specializations Offered

Forensic Counseling or Professional Clinical Counselor concentrations

LMFT Track or Dual LMFT/LPCC Track

LMFT (unless you opt for the PCC concentration, then dual track)

Length of Program

2 years, 60 units

Schedule/Format

Format varies based on class load. Some of the classes are in person weekly, or hybrid, or in a seminar format. Most classes are in the evenings.

Program Start

Fall, Spring, Summer

Estimated Total Program Tuition

$46,920

Religious Orientation

Christian

Entering Class Size and Classroom Sizes

Dependent on the number of applicants and those accepted. In general, classes include about 20-30 students. Some are much smaller.

Fieldwork Hours Accrued During Program

400. We provide a list of providers who accept students and there is an application process to those sites, as well as internally within CBU’s program.

Personal Psychotherapy Requirement During Program

24 hours

Comprehensive Exam/Culminating Project/Thesis/Etc:

Comprehensive exam

Application Process

Application Deadline

Fall

  • Priority: May 15

  • Standard: August 1

Spring

  • Priority: November 1

  • Standard: December 1

Summer

  • Priority: March 1

  • Standard: April 1

Undergraduate GPA Required

A minimum 3.0 GPA for unconditional admission. Applicants with a 2.75 or lower GPA may be considered for conditional acceptance upon consideration of entire admissions application.

GRE Requirement

None

Prerequisite Courses

Prospective students who completed a non-psychology bachelor’s degree are required to complete undergraduate prerequisite requirements (3-12 semester units), as determined by the program director. Outstanding prerequisite coursework must be completed within the first two semesters of graduate enrollment.

Application Highlights

  • Two electronic recommendations from sources who can address your potential for success. It is preferred that one recommendation be from an instructor or professor. Recommendations from friends and family are not acceptable.

  • Comprehensive essay of at least 500 words that includes the following:

    • Purpose for entering the program

    • Experiences that have directed your interest toward becoming a therapist

    • Religious background and the relationship between your faith and professional goals

    • Influences that have shaped your present values and approach to life

    • Reasons for choosing to study at CBU

Interview Requirement

Yes, with graduate program director

Program Summary

Apply knowledge in practice
Through our practicum settings, candidates are provided with the opportunity to put theory in to practice in real-world settings. We have over 100 well established organizational relationships that provide our students with experience in a diverse range of clinical settings, including community mental health, school-based, church-based, and additional contexts. Each placement is pre-approved by the department to meet BBS and CBU standards. Experienced licensed supervisors provide our students with the necessary guidance to not only gain the appropriate and required experience, but to prepare them to pass state licensure. Additionally, in the PCC course sequence, students have the opportunity to take part in interdisciplinary mental health simulations with students from a variety of health care disciplines.

Discover how faith affects therapy
All of our courses integrate theory and faith. Faculty teach from a biblically rooted perspective enabling students to become strong and compassionate, ethical counselors dedicated to raising the client’s quality of life. Faculty encourage students to incorporate individual beliefs and values as well as explore the intersection between their personal and professional lives. This inward examination, together with rigorous clinical training and a required personal psychotherapy, develops counseling professionals to uphold the highest standards of ethical professionalism.