Pacifica Graduate Institute
M.A. in Counseling Psychology
Hybrid
Lambert (Carpinteria) Campus
249 Lambert Road,
Carpinteria, CA 93013
Ladera (Santa Barbara) Campus
801 Ladera Lane,
Santa Barbara, CA 93108
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
None
LMFT Track or Dual LMFT/LPCC Track
LMFT/LPCC dual track
Length of Program
2.5 years or 10 quarters, 93 units
Schedule/Format
The schedule consists of nine three-day sessions and a seven-day summer session each year, during the first two years and six three-day sessions in the final year. Classes meet from approximately 9:00am to 9:00pm during the first two days of each session and from 8:30am-4:30pm on day 3.
Program Start
Fall
Estimated Total Program Tuition
$62,500
Religious Orientation
None
Entering Class Size and Classroom Sizes
We enroll a maximum of 35 students per cohort.
Fieldwork Hours Accrued During Program
Students must complete a minimum of 300 hours, including at least 280 direct service hours, in a supervised practicum in their home community.
Personal Psychotherapy Requirement During Program
50 hours total minimum of 5 hours required each quarter of the program.
Comprehensive Exam/Culminating Project/Thesis/Etc:
Two comprehensive examinations and a master’s thesis are to be completed in partial fulfillment of degree requirements. Students work closely with the instructors of Clinical Practice and Directed Research courses during the second year of the program in preparation for the comprehensive examinations and master’s thesis processes.
Application Process
Application Deadline
July 30th, 2022
Undergraduate GPA Required
At least 2.9 or higher.
GRE Requirement
None
Prerequisite Courses
While we encourage students with a psychology background to apply, students with a variety of educational backgrounds may be considered for admission to the Masters in Counseling Psychology Program. Given our interdisciplinary approach, previous background or readings in the fields of depth psychology, mythology, literature, religion, and art are of significance in enhancing a student’s experience in the program.
Application Highlights
Letters of recommendation
Two signed Letters of Recommendation and the Admissions Recommendation forms for the MA programs and Three signed Letters of Recommendation and the Admissions Recommendation forms for the MA/PhD, PhD and PsyD programs; one academic, one professional, and one academic or professional. Please note that the recommender must sign both the letter of recommendation and the recommendation form. You are encouraged to consider signing the waiver statement that appears on each recommendation form as a means of providing confidentiality for your references. Click here to download the form.
Resume
List all previous and present work experience, including appropriate dates and job descriptions. Include lists of the following, if applicable: areas of research interest; professional and clinical licenses held; clinical settings in which you have worked, and in what capacity; any publications you have to your credit, where they appeared, and dates published.
Personal Statement
Please describe your professional and academic areas of interest related to depth psychology and your program of interest, and discuss how this degree would advance your professional and academic goals. Address your potential for success in the program, including anticipated strengths and challenges, and add any other information you feel is important for the Admissions Committee to consider.
Writing Sample
MA in Counseling Psychology: Please submit an academic writing sample, preferably pertaining to psychology, counseling, relationships or human experience. The piece may be a term paper you have written in the past, a publication, a work in progress, or a new piece of work. The writing sample should be 4-6 pages in length.
Interview Requirement
The interviews are the most important part during this process.
Program Summary
The Masters in Counseling Psychology Program with an Emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy, Professional Clinical Counseling, and Depth Psychology is dedicated to offering students unique and evidenced-based comprehensive training in the art of marriage, family, and individual psychotherapy and professional clinical counseling with an appreciation for the systemic and immeasurable dimensions of the psyche.
Depth psychology invites a curiosity about the psyche and respect for the diversity and resiliency of the human experience. Interdisciplinary courses in literature, mythology, religion, and culture deepen students’ ability to link collective systems and archetypal themes to sociopolitical issues in the lives of individuals, families, and communities.
As preparation for professional licensure in Marriage and Family Therapy (LMFT) and Professional Clinical Counseling (LPCC), a rigorous two-and-a-half year academic program emphasizes theoretical understanding and experiential training in clinical skills, inclusive of a supervised practicum traineeship experience. Research studies and thesis writing prepare students to explore and contribute to the tradition of scholarship within the depth psychological tradition to further Pacifica’s dedication to thoughtful and soulful practice.
At its core, the Masters in Counseling Psychology Program honors the distinctive call to the service of the individual and collective psyche. Founded on a deep relational ethic, a commitment to experiential academia, and a focus on the integration of the imaginal, the program prepares future depth psychotherapists for the rigors of professional licensure.
Throughout the program, students are engaged in experiential learning and collaborative processes during residential sessions, in online and hybrid courses, and at their second- and third-year practicum sites. Collaborative learning reflects Pacifica’s team approach to the assessment and treatment of individuals, couples, families, and groups.