Meridian University
M.A. in Counseling Psychology
Hybrid and Online Options
San Francisco Bay Area Center
47 6th St.
Petaluma, CA 94952
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
WASC
Concentrations/Specializations Offered
LMFT Track or Dual LMFT/LPCC Track
LMFT/LPCC dual track
Length of Program
92 credits, 24-36 months
Schedule/Format
Hybrid Format
Meridian’s hybrid learning format combines online courses with weeklong onsite labs. The hybrid learning format is designed to enable students to pursue their graduate education at a flexible pace, combining asynchronous coursework via the University’s custom social learning platform, Pivot, live course video calls with faculty, synchronous student community engagement, and one-week onsite labs. By combining innovative online education methodologies with rich video calls and deep onsite connections, the hybrid format enables students to contribute locally and perceive globally.
Each quarter, students take one or multiple seven-week online courses. This schedule provides students with time between quarters to rest, engage, and prepare. Additionally, students attend at least two weeklong onsite labs per academic year. Labs run Monday through Friday throughout the year, with onsite labs taking place at Meridian’s Bay Area Center and other globally distributed locations.
Online Format
In Meridian's online learning format, students can complete 100% of their coursework degree requirements online. Online labs are also available for students who choose not to travel to onsite labs. Students can select lab dates, locations, and formats based on their personal circumstances and professional aspirations
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.
Program Start
Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer
Estimated Total Program Tuition
$62,192
Religious Orientation
Guided by an Integral Vision, Meridian University seeks to educate leaders with the capacities, skills, and knowledge essential for transforming the professions of Psychology, Business, and Education. The leadership capacities of courage, compassion, clarity, conscience, and embodied self-awareness, together constitute the wisdom and integrity required for transforming the professions and the wider culture. Transformative learning at Meridian catalyzes the emergence of these capacities which, along with developing creative inquiry skills and acquiring professional knowledge, actualizes Meridian’s commitment to sustaining an education that transforms.
Entering Class Size and Classroom Sizes
Meridian's Admissions Committee does not publish acceptance rates. Since we have applicants four times a year, class size is different each quarter.
Fieldwork Hours Accrued During Program
340 hours. We offer a course that addresses fieldwork requirements in detail, a detailed Fieldwork Handbook that walks the student step-by-step through the process, and staff support for responding to student questions as they arise. Students conduct their fieldwork requirement in their local region and set up their own fieldwork, with support from Meridian.
Personal Psychotherapy Requirement During Program
Forty hours of personal therapy in an individual, couple, family, and/or group setting are required. In some cases, this experience may be obtained prior to enrollment in Meridian’s graduate program.
Comprehensive Exam/Culminating Project/Thesis/Etc:
None
Application Process
Application Deadline
Rolling admissions
Undergraduate GPA Required
GPA requirement for admittance: Minimum GPA for admission to all degree programs at Meridian is a 3.0.
GRE Requirement
None
Prerequisite Courses
None
Application Highlights
Three Admissions Recommendations
Three Admission Recommendation forms and accompanying letters of recommendation are required. Recommendations should be sought from individuals who can respond to your readiness to successfully complete Meridian's degree program. If possible, you should include recommendations from persons familiar with your academic and, if applicable, professional background.
Admissions Recommendation Form: Must be submitted for each letter.
Personal Statement (5-7 pages)
Your personal statement should highlight the formative and significant experiences in your life, and how those experiences have influenced you in choosing to pursue your vocation or profession.
Things to Consider when writing the Personal Statement:
Consider how periods of life and career transition have contributed to your awareness.
Consider what it is about you that will enable you to benefit from the degree program to which you are applying.
As well, from your understanding of the University’s learning methodology involving transformative learning, consider how you might benefit from this kind of active, experiential learning model.
What to Include in Your Personal Statement:
Five to Seven double-spaced pages in length.
Be sure to share formative and significant experiences of your life and how these have influenced you in choosing your program as a vocation and profession.
Consider in your statement that periods of life and career transition contribute significantly to self awareness.
What is it about you as a learner that will enable you to benefit from Meridian’s degree program
Work experiences you may have had which relate to your program of interest and the vision you have of your future as a professional.
If you feel that the personal statement does not sufficiently demonstrate your writing skills, you may wish to enclose an additional writing sample of not more than seven pages.
Online Information Session Attendance
In addition to submitting application materials, it is necessary that applicants attend an information session prior to moving forward in the application process.
Optional Materials
Writing Sample(maximum of seven pages)
Resume or CV
Interview Requirement
Once all of the required materials have been received, the Admissions Committee will review your application.
The admissions interview is conducted via Zoom.
Program Summary
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).
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.
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.