Master of Arts Degree in Counseling
Palo Alto University
Key Information
Campus location
Palo Alto, USA
Languages
English
Study format
Distance learning
Duration
Request Info
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
USD 53,940 / per course
Application deadline
Request Info
Earliest start date
Request Info
Scholarships
Explore scholarship opportunities to help fund your studies
Introduction
Put Your Passion for Helping Others to Work
Rigorous standards. Diverse community. Flexible learning. Unique opportunities.
If you are ready to prepare for your helping career, expand your employment options or retool your career path, the Master of Arts in Counseling program at Palo Alto University is the place to start.
You can earn your degree from a fully accredited, world-renowned university in just two years – on campus or in a hybrid format.
Accept Only the Highest Standards in Counseling
PAU is a diverse and dynamic community dedicated to developing highly effective licensed mental health counselors, future leaders, and innovators in the counseling profession. We strive to reduce human suffering by promoting mental health, wellness, social justice, education, and vocational well-being.
Our program's mission is to prepare you for licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist, Professional Clinical Counselor, or both, depending on your area of emphasis and your home state.
We are committed to five core values:
- Creating and nurturing a diverse and inclusive learning community for all students, faculty, and staff.
- Providing excellent education and clinical supervision for students.
- Promoting healing and empowerment by addressing social privilege and oppression.
- Generating knowledge through research and scholarship of the highest level.
- Providing services to the local, national, and international community informed by science and scholarship.
Training in the MA in Counseling program at PAU focuses on ten key outcomes, including: professional identity and ethical practice, social justice and cultural diversity, human growth and development, counseling and systemic practice, career development, leadership, and more.
What is CACREP?
In the field of mental health counseling programs, the accreditation most often associated is CACREP: Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Program. In order for any organization to get CACREP accreditation, they must adhere to the standards set forth by the council.
What are the benefits of being CACREP accredited?
- Universities that are accredited reflect meeting or exceeding the standards of quality within their program as set forth by the council
- Accreditation also reflects the institution's commitment to providing the highest level of care for its student
- CACREP provides guidance to institutions in determining acceptability of transfer credits into a CACREP program
- Graduates from a CACREP program have the tools to perform better on their licensure exam and certification
- CACREP programs are easily portable across other states to meet the education requirements for licensure
- Various government agencies, such as the Veterans Health Administration, primarily hire CACREP graduates
Gallery
Admissions
Curriculum
The MA in Counseling program consists of 93 quarter-units, as well as mandatory fieldwork, workshops, and intensives. The curriculum is academically rigorous and progressive, preparing you for fieldwork and culminating in a capstone project.
Depending on start term, students may complete the program in 9 or 11 quarters.
In addition to the 93 quarter credits required for degree completion, students must complete at least a 100-hour practicum and two 300-hour internships during the program.
PAU CACREP Accredited Counseling Program Details
- Palo Alto University was accredited in January 2017 and received the maximum of eight (8) years CACREP accreditation
- Palo Alto has two areas of emphasis accredited in its MA in Counseling program
- Clinical Mental Health
- Marriage, Family and Child
- Palo Alto University has faculty that is CACREP trained which supports the organization's commitment to high quality education
- The MA in Counseling program is offered both online and on-campus
- The MA in Counseling program is designed to provide the tools for individuals to become qualified and trained clinicians