MA in Clinical Psychology (Evening Format) FAQs

The first step in the process, and the best way to get all of your questions answered, is to attend an information meeting. For a schedule of upcoming meetings and to RSVP to the meeting of your choice, visit here. If you're unable to attend, contact us at 310.258.2850 to set up an appointment.

We operate on a "rolling admissions" basis. This means we review and accept applicants as the complete application file is received. Therefore, applicants are encouraged to submit their applications well in advance of the deadline. You will receive a decision via email within three to four weeks after the submission of your completed application.

No. You can send in different pieces of your application as they are completed. We will hold any materials that arrive under your name, but will only begin tracking you and corresponding with you as an applicant when we receive your completed application.

At GSEP, we utilize a holistic approach in our thorough review of each and every application. This means that we do not disqualify any applicant based on any one part of their application. However, our priority is always to accept applicants of quality.

Please refer to our Admission Requirements webpage.

Foundation courses are waived for applicants who have completed an undergraduate degree in psychology or a closely-related field. Applicants who have taken undergraduate or graduate-level courses judged to be equivalent in content to foundation level courses may petition to waive such courses.

Previously taken courses will qualify for waiver consideration if they were taken no earlier than seven years prior to admission and a grade of "B" or better was earned. Applicants without recent course work (within the last seven years) in psychology, however, will be required to complete foundational courses in preparation for the core curriculum. Foundational courses are offered as part of the master's program.

Please refer to our Admission Requirements webpage.

The MA in Psychology program provides students with a theoretical and practical understanding of the principles of psychology within the framework of a strong clinical emphasis. This program prepares individuals for doctoral study in psychology or positions in human services, vocational counseling or marketing.

The MA in Clinical Psychology with an Emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy provides the knowledge and experience needed to work as a clinician, in private practice or with an agency, by preparing students for licenses as a Marriage & Family Therapist (MFT) and Professional Clinical Counselor (PCC) in the state of California. As part of the curriculum, students are required to gain supervised counseling experience in approved clinical settings. This program is designed for students who wish to gain knowledge and develop skills necessary for providing high quality psychotherapeutic services in a variety of settings.

As a full-time student taking 6 units each semester, one can complete the MA in Psychology in as few as 1.5-2 years, or the MA in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy in as few as 2.5-3 years.

Both programs offer great flexibility. Each student can progress at his or her own pace, taking fewer or more courses each term, depending on each individual's preference. Part-time students may take as few as 3 units per term and full-time students may take 12 or more units per term.

Classes in the evening format program are offered in the late afternoon and evening. Each class meets once per week from 4:15-7 PM, or from 7:15 -10 PM. Classes are offered Monday-Thursday. During the summer term, classes meet twice per week.

While the courses are offered in the evening, near the end of the program, students begin clinical training. Many of our clinical practicum sites only offer supervision and clinical counseling hours during weekdays. Students will need to adjust their daytime schedules to meet the practicum site schedule requirements.

At Pepperdine, we offer evening format psychology courses at our Irvine, Calabasas, and West Los Angeles Graduate Campuses. Once enrolled, students can take courses at any and all of our three campuses.

Yes. With approval from the MA in Clinical Psychology program director, it is possible to change between the evening format MA in Psychology and MA in Clinical Psychology programs once enrolled in the program. Nine courses are common to both programs and eligible credit can be transferred.

Yes. The best way to learn about opportunities for grants, loans, scholarships, and assistantship positions is to attend one of our information meetings, as most meetings include a financial aid presentation. Call 310.568.2317 to confirm.

Evening program MACLP students have access to helpful interactive clinical training modules beginning their first term in the program. Students are required to engage in the interactive clinical training modules during pre-practicum and practicum classes for course credit. The clinical training modules orient students on how to secure a traineeship at a practicum setting, how to meet University requirements for graduation, complete California MFT and PCC licensure eligibility requirements, and more.

Students also need to register and become familiar with the online platform, Tevera, where they complete all required practicum assignments and licensure documentation. Additionally, Clinical Training Coordinators are available at each campus to provide guidance and support while you actively research, apply to, interview with, and secure a clinical traineeship position at a Pepperdine-approved practicum site. Students can consult with and seek guidance from their Clinical Training Coordinator throughout their practicum experience in the program.

There is a separate application process for admission into the doctoral program. Applicants to the doctoral program must have a completed master's degree, or will have completed a master's degree prior to starting the program. Acceptance to one of the master's in psychology programs does not guarantee admission to our doctoral program.

The Pepperdine MFT program is designed to ensure that our graduates will have met all academic requirements to sit for the MFT or LPCC licensure exams in the state of California.

All students who graduate from the program are eligible to pursue the MFT license in California. However, California PCC licensure eligibility will greatly depend on whether a student can secure the number of required direct clinical hours (280 hours working directly with clients) at their practicum setting. Students who want to pursue the PPC license are encouraged to connect with their campus Clinical Training Coordinator early on in the program so they can help them identify practicum settings that historically meet the California PCC hours requirements.

Overall, our graduates have been quite successful in pursuing licensure in other states; however, because licensing requirements vary across states, we strongly recommend that you contact the licensing board in the state in which you are interested in working prior to starting the Pepperdine MA in Clinical Psychology program.

The evening format MACLP program and GSEP psychology division stand in solidarity against racial inequities and injustice and other forms of discrimination and oppression. We are committed to fostering an inclusive learning environment that is enriched and strengthened by diversity including but not limited to race, ethnicity and national origin, gender and gender identity, sexuality, class, age, ability status, and religion. GSEP also encourages all community members to engage in critical learning and reflection to strengthen our capacity for being effective, active, and outspoken against all forms of racism and intersectional oppression.

Most practicum sites require students to commit approximately 15-20 hours per week (with contract lengths ranging from 9-18 months). Weekly time commitments will vary from site to site and are dependent upon the agency setting. Some sites only have availability during specific days/times (business hours, school hours, certain days of the week, etc.). There are a limited number of sites that offer weekend and/or evening hours. Pepperdine recommends students with full-time jobs plan for their practicum experience with their employer in advance in order to successfully navigate the practicum portion of the MACLP evening program.

Communication and consultation is key to successfully navigating the program and the practicum experience. There is a wide support network available to students. If you need support, or to consult on an issue, students can reach out to their professors, clinical supervisors, fellow trainees/associates, campus clinical training coordinator, program director, and academic advisor/program administrator. 

It is important to know that once students move into the role of an MFT Trainee in practicum they are bound to the legal and ethical codes of the profession. In practicum, students are working as mental health professionals in the field and have a great responsibility to care for the clients they serve. As such, students must maintain professionalism and follow ethical guidelines of the profession at practicum settings. 

Students also have a great responsibility to care for themselves as they engage in this work. The practicum experience can be challenging, as the initial work as an MFT Trainee is often within the most under-served, under-resourced and high-need areas. It is important to remember that practicum is the first experience of many you will have as a mental health professional. Here are some important tips to remember while engaged in Practicum in the MACLP program:

• Take care of yourself.
• Ask your clinical supervisor, practicum instructor, fellow trainees/associates, professors, clinical training coordinator, program director, and program admin for help when you need it. 
• Actively participate in and attend clinical supervision weekly.
• Uphold legal and ethical obligations of an MFT Trainee (i.e. mandated reporting, responding to crises) and remember to seek supervision on these issues.
• Go to therapy - one of the best ways to learn is by engaging in your own work.
• Be open to learning and growing - remain humble in your ongoing quest for knowledge. 
• Show up for your clients fully (i.e. be present physically and mentally). 
• Create a safe space for your client and remain engaged and empathetic.
• Maintain documentation (progress notes, treatment plans) and submit them in a timely manner.
• Be a team player – Collaborate! 
• Consult! Consult! Consult!
• Be kind to yourself as you learn to navigate this new position. Continue to lean on your support system.