Santa Clara University

Aren’t all the theoretical orientations confusing?

We mix breadth with depth of training. Professional education with CPSY includes in-depth training in Correctional, Health or Latino studies. Additionally, the expanse of our elective and advanced theory and technique courses supplement foundational training.

“I want to pursue training as a mental health professional but I don’t know which license to train for.”

We offer four Tracks to our students: Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT), Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), Combined MFT/LPPC, or Self-Designed Track.

At SCU you don’t have to declare your track until you have gained some experience, and with the help of your advisor decide how to plan your curriculum.

Distance learning? Interesting. Are you going to be a distance therapist?

We train our students in state of the art classrooms, labs and clinical sites using competency based skills training, lecture, role playing, real playing, observation, clinical vignettes, immediate feedback, videotaping, audiotaping, and more!

Face to face. Experiential. Personal. CPSY!

Every training facility boasts of its faculty. Look closely. What is the level of commitment, education and clinical expertise of the resident faculty?

We have one of the largest Doctoral level resident faculty of scientist/practitioners of any training facility in California.

Our faculty are theoretically and clinically diverse, creative and excellent teachers, talented and productive researchers, nationally and internationally recognized experts, authors, and speakers.

We bring real world – real clinical – experience and examples to bear on the training of our students.

To quote a student, “If you want to study and train in a place where you are part of the background or just a number or a name on a roster – don’t come to CPSY.”

Our faculty want to teach, train, mentor and advise you. In other words, and consistent with the Jesuit philosophy of our University, we seek to train the “whole person.” We are accessible to all of our students not only before and after classes, but during appointment and walk – in hours.

What is your optimal learning environment?

Our class size averages 18 students. Sometimes a bit larger – sometimes a bit smaller. Always with faculty attention to the individual!

Many graduate programs offer little to no scholarships for students of merit and need.

We award annual scholarships based on merit and need. The awards range from $1500 - $12,800 per year. The due date for application is June 1 of each year.

If you want a Master’s degree that will allow you to sit for MFT or LPCC license exam, you will most likely succeed…

Consider this. Santa Clara alumni consistently have one of the highest pass rates in the State on the California License Exam. Our range is from 90% - 97% (from 2002 – 2011) pass rate per year compared to the State Average of 61% - 63%! (This data is based on institutions that have 12 or more alumni taking the exam as published by the California State Board of Behavioral Sciences, www.bbs.ca.org.)

Many professional schools are just that: Professional. They provide a product: Training. Do you want something more from your graduate school experience?

We are a university based community of clinicians, therapists, students, and scientists. Our community is committed to training as well as building respectful, professional, and mutually supportive relationships.

You are a member not only of our department and School, but of the oldest university in the State of California, situated in beautiful Silicon Valley between mountains and under the arbor of palm trees, an hour from the beach or two hours from the snow!

Our Graduate Student Association is the backbone of our community; hosting a number of academic, training, career, and social events.

Our alumni, over 3500+ in the Bay area alone, provide an incredible community and network for our students.