Welcome to the Master of Science program in Counseling Psychology at C.S.U.B.!


We offer a challenging program that includes two quarters of experience in the state-of-the-art CSUB University Counselor Training Clinic and field traineeships, all of which provide counseling services to the Bakersfield community.

Student Listening

The Program provides for:

  • A foundation in the theory of research and relationship-building expertise that contribute to strong therapeutic alliances with clients
  • Experiential learning, through which students learn and practice relevant skills and come to trust their own internal experiencing in work with clients.
  • An understanding and a sensitivity to the effects of diverse individual, familial, and cultural factors
  • The acquisition of proficiencies needed for life-long learning and continued professional development
The program offers a balance between:
  • Theory and practice
  • Science and art
  • Personal and professional development

Additional Features of the program:

  • Meets the board of behavioral sciences academic requirements for California licensure in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT)
  • Includes coursework in individual, family, group, and child/adolescent counseling, each of which has accompanying intervention or techniques classes
  • Involves 90 quarter units of coursework
  • Class times have been tailored for working professionals since they mainly meet between 4:00 and 10:00 pm on weekday evenings during the academic year
  • Full-time students can complete the program in two years
  • Three and four-year coursework sequences are available for part-time students
  • Fieldwork experience (Traineeship) can be obtained during the summer months.
Graduation