Big Changes to Graduate Psychology Programs in California

Over 30 years of involvement with one of Southern California’s largest masters in psychology programs has shown Dr. Joy Turek many changes. Upcoming state-mandated changes to all California Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) degree programs are the biggest yet.

Now Chair of Antioch University Los Angeles’ Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology Program, Dr. Turek notes that “these changes will broaden and deepen all California MFT degree programs. Of course, the trade off is that it will take students longer to complete California degrees.”

For California students entering MFT programs in the latter half of 2012, the state is requiring that their degree be 90 quarter units (or 60 semester units) in length. “This is a significant expansion from the current 72 quarter/48 semester unit requirement,” says Dr. Turek. Students who are enrolled prior to the effective date of the new requirements will not be impacted by these changes. For AULA, these changes affect students entering on or after July, 2012.

“While these new requirements will lengthen the amount of time it will take to finish the program, it will also be a much broader and deeper educational experience.” says Dr. Turek. Currently, the minimum completion time for AULA’s program is 6 full-time quarters which can be accomplished in as few as 18 months. After the change, the minimum completion time will be 8 full-time quarters which can be accomplished in as few as 24 months.

In addition to the increase in degree length for MFT-licensure degrees, a new profession, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), will be available in the state. “Not only will students have a deeper educational experience, they will have the choice of studying for an entirely new licensure,” says Dr. Turek.

Dr. Turek feels that AULA is particularly well-positioned to make this transition, noting that the program already includes many of the new requirements, particularly multi-cultural awareness and community oriented approaches. “Antioch has always been a forward thinking institution.”

“While other programs may feature similar coursework, our versions tend to have a uniquely Antiochian perspective,” she says. “For instance, we were one of the first schools in the nation to offer an LGBT-Affirmative specialization within a master’s level clinical psychology program. Our Community Psychology coursework already contains a great deal of the content specified by the new state requirements. Our Child Studies content features a focus on child advocacy, our Spiritual and Depth Psychology content seeks to explore the connection between Buddhist ideas of personality and Jungian principles, and our Trauma related coursework focuses both on those returning from conflict zones and those exposed to non-war related traumas.”

Once students of AULA’s MAP program leave, they carry on Antioch University’s mission regarding community outreach and social justice. Many alums go on to work with underserved communities.

“Our students become participants,” Dr. Turek continues, “for example; there is an organization in West Hollywood, Being Alive, which serves community members living with HIV and AIDS, offering acupuncture, yoga, peer support and other services. This summer, we launched a partnership with them called Antioch Alive that will allow them to offer mental health services.”

Why did the state change their requirements? “There was a consensus from the state that by requiring the extra units of study, the student would receive a deeper background in the various forms of therapy. Almost all states have a version of an LPCC. In fact, California is the last state to offer this license,” says Dr. Turek.

What about the advantages of the new requirements? “When students enter the AULA MAP program after the July 2012 transition, we will offer them the coursework for either license. A student can choose one or the other, or if they wish, can choose to obtain eligibility for both.”

Another great benefit? What are now optional specializations will be embedded in the 90 unit degree at no additional cost.

“One of the really outstanding elements of our degree is the ability to take optional coursework that prepares you to work with specific populations” said Dr. Turek. “Currently we have specializations in Child Studies, Applied Community Psychology, LGBT-Affirmative Psychology, Spiritual and Depth Psychology and Conflict and Non-Conflict Related Trauma, with more under development.”

Under the current system, a specialization requires a minimum of one additional full-time quarter of study.

After the transition, students will be able to acquire a specialization without additional expenditures of time and tuition beyond the 90 units.

What does that mean for those enrolled before the requirements become mandatory? Those who enter over the next three quarters, that is October 2011, January 2012 and April 2012, can complete the current academic requirements and have their MFT licensure-eligible degree within the 6 quarter/18 month timeframe. They need not complete the additional units the state mandates for students entering in subsequent terms.

As she reflects on her time at AULA and how the program has evolved and continues to evolve, Dr. Turek says that the greatest pleasure of her time here has been the people - students, faculty and staff -that she has come to know.

With the upcoming expansion in course content and licensure options, she looks forward to meeting many more wonderful people training for a career in psychotherapy.