Clinical Psychology M.S.
This is an archived copy of the 2020/21 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit https://catalog.vanguard.edu.
Graduation Requirements
Students pursuing the Master of Science degree in Clinical Psychology from Vanguard University are required to satisfy the following graduation requirements:
- Successful completion of 60 semester units in Graduate Psychology with a minimum cumulative grade point average of “B” (3.0), and with no course grades of “C-” or below counting toward the degree.
- A minimum residence of five academic semesters.
- Successful completion of a minimum of 225 clinical hours at approved practicum placements with a minimum of 150 face-to-face client contact hours.
- Advanced to Candidacy.
- Completion of Exit Project.
- Completion of personal therapy requirement.
- The filing of all necessary forms in accordance with the timetable provided by the Graduate Program in Clinical Psychology.
- Successful completion within the maximum allowed time limit of five (5) years of all degree requirements that were in effect at the time of student’s entrance into the program.
- Settlement of all financial obligations to Vanguard University.
If all coursework has been completed and graduation is pending completion of other graduation requirements, the student may be required to register for PSYG-799 Continuing Registration until all graduation requirements have been met.
LPCC Option
While not degree requirements, students interested in pursuing licensure as a Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) must also complete:
- Successful completion of an additional 5 semester units with course grades of “C” or higher.
- Successful completion of a minimum of 280 face-to-face hours at approved practicum placements (practicum hours can be used to meet both degree/MFT and LPCC requirements).
Graduation Course Requirements
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Course Requirements 1,2,3 | ||
| PSYG-601 | Clinical Foundations I | 3 |
| PSYG-603 | Advanced Psychopathology | 3 |
| PSYG-604 | Ethical and Legal Issues | 3 |
| PSYG-605 | Family Psychotherapy | 3 |
| PSYG-613 | Research Methodology | 1 |
| PSYG-614 | Advanced Developmental Psychology | 3 |
| PSYG-615 | Child & Adolescent Psychotherapy | 3 |
| PSYG-616 | Psychodynamic Theory/Treatment | 3 |
| PSYG-617 | Cognitive-Behavorial Theory & Treatment | 3 |
| PSYG-618 | Current Psychotherapy Topics | 1 |
| PSYG-626 | Professional Skills in Clinical Practice | 3 |
| PSYG-704 | Addictive Behaviors | 3 |
| PSYG-710 | Psychotherapy & Diversity | 3 |
| PSYG-711 | Violence, Abuse, and Trauma | 2 |
| PSYG-712 | Psychology, Theology & Spirituality | 3 |
| PSYG-716 | Couples Psychotherapy | 3 |
| PSYG-717 | Group Psychotherapy | 3 |
| PSYG-720 | Clinical Psychopharmacology | 2 |
| PSYG-724 | Psychosocial Stressors and Ment Health | 3 |
| PSYG-725 | Psychological Testing | 3 |
| PSYG-726 | Case Conceptualization 4 | 3 |
| PSYG-765 | Comprehensive Project | 3 |
| Total Units | 60 | |
| 1 | An additional 1.5-3.5 units may be required if minimum levels of proficiency as determined by the Clinical Foundations course and Advance to Candidacy are not met. |
| 2 | Concurrent enrollment in a practicum course (PSYG-626 Professional Skills in Clinical Practice, PSYG-726 Case Conceptualization or PSYG-727 Practicum) is required while gaining clinical hours, which may require additional units. |
| 3 | If all coursework has been completed and graduation is pending completion of other degree requirements, the student may be required to register for PSYG-799 Continuing Registration until all graduation requirements have been met. |
| 4 | Course offered for 1.5 units, must be taken twice. |
LPCC Option Course Requirements (5 units)
While not degree requirements, students interested in pursuing licensure as a Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) must also complete 5 semester units in addition to degree course requirements.
Course Requirements
Disclaimer: This sample Multi-Year Plan is provided as a guide for the recommended sequencing of courses. It is the student's responsibility to confirm with the department the course rotation before enrolling in courses. If applicable, please note the footnotes at the bottom of the page for additional information related to courses listed in a particular year and term. Questions, contact the Graduate Program for Clinical Psychology.
Sample Curriculum Schedules
Three Year Track
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Units | |
| PSYG-601 | Clinical Foundations I | 3 |
| PSYG-603 | Advanced Psychopathology | 3 |
| PSYG-604 | Ethical and Legal Issues | 3 |
| Units | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| PSYG-605 | Family Psychotherapy | 3 |
| PSYG-615 | Child & Adolescent Psychotherapy | 3 |
| PSYG-704 | Addictive Behaviors | 3 |
| Units | 9 | |
| Summer | ||
| PSYG-710 | Psychotherapy & Diversity | 3 |
| PSYG-720 | Clinical Psychopharmacology (optional 3rd unit for LPCC) | 2-3 |
| Units | 5-6 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| PSYG-614 | Advanced Developmental Psychology | 3 |
| PSYG-712 | Psychology, Theology & Spirituality | 3 |
| PSYG-716 | Couples Psychotherapy | 3 |
| Units | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| PSYG-616 | Psychodynamic Theory/Treatment | 3 |
| PSYG-626 | Professional Skills in Clinical Practice | 3 |
| PSYG-717 | Group Psychotherapy | 3 |
| Units | 9 | |
| Summer | ||
| PSYG-613 | Research Methodology | 1 |
| PSYG-711 | Violence, Abuse, and Trauma (optional 3rd unit for LPCC) | 2-3 |
| PSYG-660 | Career Development (optional for LPCC) | 3 |
| Units | 3-7 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| PSYG-617 | Cognitive-Behavorial Theory & Treatment | 3 |
| PSYG-725 | Psychological Testing | 3 |
| PSYG-726 | Case Conceptualization | 1.5 |
| PSYG-618 | Current Psychotherapy Topics | 1 |
| Units | 8.5 | |
| Spring | ||
| PSYG-724 | Psychosocial Stressors and Ment Health | 3 |
| PSYG-726 | Case Conceptualization | 1.5 |
| PSYG-765 | Comprehensive Project | 3 |
| Units | 7.5 | |
| Total Units | 60-65 | |
Two Year Track
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Units | |
| PSYG-601 | Clinical Foundations I | 3 |
| PSYG-603 | Advanced Psychopathology | 3 |
| PSYG-604 | Ethical and Legal Issues | 3 |
| PSYG-614 | Advanced Developmental Psychology | 3 |
| PSYG-618 | Current Psychotherapy Topics | 1 |
| Units | 13 | |
| Spring | ||
| PSYG-605 | Family Psychotherapy | 3 |
| PSYG-615 | Child & Adolescent Psychotherapy | 3 |
| PSYG-616 | Psychodynamic Theory/Treatment | 3 |
| PSYG-626 | Professional Skills in Clinical Practice | 3 |
| PSYG-613 | Research Methodology | 1 |
| Units | 13 | |
| Summer | ||
| PSYG-710 | Psychotherapy & Diversity | 3 |
| PSYG-711 | Violence, Abuse, and Trauma (optional 3rd unit for LPCC) | 2-3 |
| PSYG-720 | Clinical Psychopharmacology (optional 3rd unit for LPCC) | 2-3 |
| PSYG-660 | Career Development (optional for LPCC) | 3 |
| Units | 7-12 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| PSYG-617 | Cognitive-Behavorial Theory & Treatment | 3 |
| PSYG-712 | Psychology, Theology & Spirituality | 3 |
| PSYG-716 | Couples Psychotherapy | 3 |
| PSYG-725 | Psychological Testing | 3 |
| PSYG-726 | Case Conceptualization | 1.5 |
| Units | 13.5 | |
| Spring | ||
| PSYG-704 | Addictive Behaviors | 3 |
| PSYG-724 | Psychosocial Stressors and Ment Health | 3 |
| PSYG-717 | Group Psychotherapy | 3 |
| PSYG-726 | Case Conceptualization | 1.5 |
| PSYG-765 | Comprehensive Project | 3 |
| Units | 13.5 | |
| Total Units | 60-65 | |