MA in Clinical Psychology with an Emphasis in Marriage & Family Therapy with Latinas/os 

Addressing the Mental Health Needs of Latina/o Communities

The Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology with an Emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy with Latinas/os program prepares students to serve Latina/o communities. Students are admitted every fall, participating as a cohort for the 26 units of Latina/o-specific content and experiential Spanish-language development courses within the standard MFT course requirements. Latina/o-specific courses take place only at the Irvine Graduate Campus; all other courses are available at the West Los Angeles and Encino Graduate Campuses as well. This program is administered through Aliento, the Center for Latina/o Communities. 

Program Overview

The program is designed to prepare students to work in community counseling, governmental entities, or educational settings, or to launch their own private practices, all with the aim of working with the underserved Latina/o community. The clinical training and academic preparation also equip students for doctoral programs in clinical psychology, counseling psychology, or family therapy. Additionally, this program offers course work that prepares students for licensure in both Licensed Marriage and Family Therapy (LMFT) and Licensed Professional Clinical Counseling (LPCC). As part of the program, students gain supervised counseling experience in clinical settings.

Benefits

• Experiential Spanish-language development courses for beginning, as well as advanced, students
• Language immersion experience in a Spanish-speaking country
• Twenty-six units of Latina/o-specific LMFT courses
• Fulfills the academic eligibility requirements for LMFT or LPCC licensure
• Small class sizes provide an environment for faculty mentorship, close peer interaction, and lifelong professional relationships
• Award-winning faculty members who provide mentorship, as well as real-world experiences that link classroom learning to field of practice
• Extensive networking opportunities, courtesy of our alumni community network, made up of more than 20,000 professionals

Career Outcomes

Therapists and counselors are needed in many clinical and professional settings, including hospitals, 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
• Mental Health Counselor
• Case Manager
• Clinical Director

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics

• Jobs in Individual and Family Services will grow 23% between 2016 and 2026, adding 53,000 jobs
• The average annual wage for Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychologists in Individual and Family Services was $81,160 in 2017
• California had the highest employment level of Marriage and Family Therapists nationwide in 2017