The Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology with Latinas/os program will prepare students
to serve Latina/o individuals, couples, families, and communities as a licensed marriage
and family therapist (LMFT) or a licensed professional clinical counselor (LPCC) in
California.
This cohort-based program is administered through Aliento, the Center for Latina/o Communities. Through a clinical and practice-based course of study that includes Latina/o-specific
content and experiential Spanish-language development courses, students will learn
the academic and applied foundations of marriage and family therapy, and community,
liberation, and counseling psychologies within a Latina/o mental health context. Employing
the practitioner-scholar model of professional training, rigorous coursework is paired
with in-depth clinical training, where students observe professional counselors, develop
key clinical skills, and gain experience working directly with clients in the underserved
Latina/o community. Upon graduation, students will have met all educational requirements
to sit for the LMFT or LPCC licensure exams in the state of California.
Quick Facts
- $6,500Scholarships Available
- 130+Clinical Practicum Sites
- 30Latino/a-specific Credits
- GRENot Required
Program Benefits
- Access to major-university resources at the #46-ranked university in the US*
- Outstanding faculty with a wide variety of firsthand experience with Latina/o communities
- Up to 30 Latina/o-specific LMFT credits
- Spanish-language development courses for students with elementary-to-advanced proficiency
- Opportunity for participation in a Spanish Immersion Program to gain experience in
a Latin-American country
- Community service projects directly assisting local communities
- Supervised clinical experience working directly with local Latina/o communities
- Opportunity for bilingual supervision for students providing services in Spanish during
their clinical practicum experience (note: dependent on individual site)
- Dedicated placement team to help find and secure practicum and internship placements
- Semi-cohort based, providing a sense of community among peers
- Extensive networking opportunities through our alumni network with more than 20,000
professionals
* U.S. News & Report, Best Colleges Rankings, National Universities
Career Outcomes
Therapists and counselors are needed in many clinical and professional settings, including
community counseling and advocacy centers, schools, government agencies, and private
practice. After earning your degree, you may pursue professional licensure and employment
in a variety of roles, including:
- Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
- Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor
- Multicultural Therapist
- Community Therapist
- Clinical Director
- Clinical Supervisor
Employment Potential
- The number of jobs in Individual and Family Services is expected to grow 23%*
- California has the nation's highest employment demand for graduates of Clinical Psychology
master's programs**
*U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2017
**2017-2018 Burning Glass Report on Employment Potential for Selected Programs
Testimonials
I had an interview with the Director of the program, Dr. Gallardo, and just hearing
what he had to say, the goals of the program, and the importance that they have in
helping the community really drew me in to being part of it.
Estefania Luviano
Class of 2019
FAQs
I am interested in this program. Where should I begin?
The first step in the process, and the best way to get all of your questions answered,
is to attend an information session. For a schedule of upcoming sessions and to RSVP
to the session of your choice, see our Information Meetings page. If you're unable to attend, please contact us at 310.258.2850 to set up a one-on-one
appointment with an Enrollment Officer.
What is the admission period for this program? When will I know if I am accepted?
We operate on a rolling admissions basis. This means we review and accept applications
once the complete application is received. Applicants are therefore encouraged to
submit their applications in advance of the deadline.
Do I have to send in all application materials at once?
No. You can send in different components of your application as they are completed.
We will hold any materials that arrive under your name, but will only begin tracking
your application and corresponding with you once we receive your full and complete
application.
What are my chances of being accepted into the program?
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.
What are the minimum admission requirements?
Will professional references be accepted?
References should come from individuals who are familiar with your professional and
academic abilities. Recent college graduates should have at least one academic recommendation,
while applicants who have been out of college more than three years may use either
academic or professional recommendations. Letters can be sent in lieu of the forms
provided in the application booklet.
Can foundation classes be waived?
Students 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 masters program.
I am an International Applicant. What additional admission requirements do I need
to submit?
Applicants who attended schools outside the United States are required to submit certified
transcripts in English. Submitted transcripts must include a cumulative grade point
average (GPA on a 4.0 scale, A = 4.0) that has been evaluated by a NACES member credential service (www.naces.org) such as the World Education Services, Inc. (www.wes.org) or the International Education Research Foundation (www.ierf.org)
If you have not completed your bachelor's degree at the time of application, submit
a current transcript. Upon degree completion, you are required to provide official
transcripts in a sealed envelope prior to enrollment.
Mailing Address:
Pepperdine Graduate School of Education and Psychology Admissions
6100 Center Drive 5th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90045, USA
International applicants whose native language is not English are required to submit
a minimum passing score of 550 on the Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL). The computer-based TOEFL test requires a minimum passing score of 80. Information concerning the availability of this test in foreign countries can be
obtained by contacting TOEFL, Educational Testing Services, Princeton, NJ 08540, USA
or online at www.toefl.org. As an alternative to the TOEFL, you may submit a score of at least 6.5 on the IELTS exam. You can find out more at www.ielts.org
How long does this program take to complete?
This program offers great flexibility. Each student can progress at his or her own
pace, taking more or fewer courses each term, depending on preference. Part-time students
may take as few as 3 units per term and full-time students may take as many as 12
or more units per term. The average length of time to complete the program is 2-3
years.
When are classes offered?
Classes are offered in the late afternoon and evening. Each class meets once per week
from 4:15pm-7:00pm, or 7:15pm-10:00 pm. Classes are offered Monday-Thursday. Summer
term classes meet twice per week.
Where is the program offered? Do I have to take all of my classes at the same campus?
We offer courses at our Irvine, Encino, and West Los Angeles Graduate Campuses. Once
enrolled, students can take courses at any and all of our three campuses. However,
all Latina/o-specific courses are available only at our Irvine Graduate Campus.
Does Pepperdine assist with clinical practicum experience?
Yes. MFT Clinical Training and Professional Development staff assist students in locating
Pepperdine-approved clinical practicum sites. The clinical training staff visit and
evaluate established and potential sites, while maintaining the Field Placement Directory,
which lists sites approved by Pepperdine.
Can I go straight on to the doctoral program from the masters program?
There is a separate application process for admission into the doctoral program. Applicants
to the doctoral program 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 the doctoral program.
