Graduate Program in Clinical Psychology
Department website: https://www.vanguard.edu/academics/academic-programs/graduate/clinical-psychology
Brenda Gesell, PhD, Chair/Director
Mission: The Graduate Program in Clinical Psychology equips students to serve with excellence as Christian mental health professionals by providing the highest quality of rigorous academic training, guided professional development, and integrative faith based learning in a collaborative and supportive environment.
Academic Foundation
The academic foundation for the Graduate Program in Clinical Psychology is an intellectual understanding that God expects our best. Therefore, we strive to be consistent in the excellence and quality of the academic regime. Vanguard University is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).
Successful completion of the Master of Science in Clinical Psychology degree will prepare students for numerous options. The degree fulfills all academic requirements that are set forth by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences for licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) (Business and Professions Code of California Section 4980.36). The program also offers additional coursework for students interested in licensure as an MFT and/or a Professional Clinical Counselor (PCC or LPCC). With this additional coursework, the degree also fulfills all academic requirements that are set forth by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences for both licenses (Business and Professions Code of California Section 4980.36 and 4999.33).
Students desiring MFT or PCC licensure must complete additional hours after graduation and successfully pass the state licensing exams.
The degree will also allow a competitive application to doctoral programs in clinical psychology, marriage and family therapy, counseling and education.
Theological Foundation
The theological foundation for the Graduate Program in Clinical Psychology is a Christian understanding of God, human nature, families, relationships, and God’s redeeming compassion for humankind. The redeeming compassion of God infuses grace, hope and insight into the counseling encounter. Redemption signals the truth that people are capable of change through outside intervention if that assistance is accepted, internalized and experienced in their daily lives. Counseling is designed to tilt the scales in favor of a client experiencing the redemptive side of life despite the reality of human brokenness.
Professional Foundation
The professional foundation for the Graduate Program in Clinical Psychology is a practical understanding of the ethical, legal, economic and educational requirements necessary in order to pursue a clinical, counseling, or academic career. The graduate experience is designed not only to help students learn more about psychology in order to fulfill their desire to counsel people in need, but also to begin their own professional development. The curriculum is designed to enable students to work in secular as well as religious settings.
Admissions Information
Application Process and Deadlines
Information about the application process and deadlines can be found in the Graduate Studies section of the catalog or online at http://www.vanguard.edu/admissions/graduate/how-to-apply
Felony Implications
Note that licensing and certification agencies typically have regulations denying licensure or certification to anyone who has been convicted of a felony, most especially one which reflects an offense which would be a cause for disciplinary action if committed by one already holding the license. Please contact the licensing board in the state in which you plan to license for clarification of how a conviction may affect licensing. This clarification should be done before the application for admission to this program is submitted.
Admission Requirements
- Completed Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university. (Applicants from an institution accredited by the American Association of Bible Colleges will be evaluated on an individual basis.)
- Application and Application Fee
- Three Letters of Recommendation
- Official Transcripts
- Personal Statement
- Resume/Curriculum Vitae
- No minimum GPA is required, but 3.0 is preferred
The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is not required for admission into the graduate program and is not considered in evaluating applications.
Prerequisites
Required prerequisite courses:
- Bachelors degree in Psychology or all of the following:
- Introduction to Statistics
- Psychopathology or Abnormal Psychology
- Developmental Psychology or Human Development
- Theories of Personality or Counseling Theories
Prerequisite courses for the Graduate Program in Clinical Psychology are selected to enable all students to enter with a similar foundational background and to have the best opportunity to succeed. It is required that all prerequisite courses have been completed with a grade of B- or better.
Transfer of Credits
Students transferring from an accredited graduate program may transfer a maximum of six (6) semester unit hours when the courses transferred are equivalent and have direct applicability to the student’s program design. A transfer request must be approved by the Director of the Graduate Program in Clinical Psychology prior to admission. This transfer policy applies only to students in Regular Standing at the time of their admission.
Tuition Scholarships
Grad Academic Scholarship
Available to graduate students who are enrolled at least half time demonstrating a 3.5 or higher GPA. If the Cumulative GPA is below all academic categories, the student will no longer be eligible for an academic award in subsequent years. Click here to learn more information on grants and scholarships.
Graduate Psychology Services
The Graduate Program in Clinical Psychology is housed within a professional building with space designed exclusively for our graduate students and with graduate learning in mind. The space includes offices for the program faculty and staff; comfortable classrooms appropriate for adult learners; therapy training room; a computer lab; and a student lounge with kitchen and patio.
Resources that are maintained within our facility and are available exclusively to our students include psychological assessment tools, videos, computer software, and a collection of psychology and counseling references including books and access to electronic journals.
Academic Policies
Information about Academic Policies which apply to all graduate students can be found in the Graduate Studies section of the catalog. Information specific to students in the Graduate Clinical Psychology program can be found below.
Course Registration and Schedule Changes
Please see the Graduate Studies section of the Catalog or information posted online for the policies and procedures concerning course registration. On campus and online tracks are separate and students on each track are guaranteed priority registration in their format. Registration across formats or switching between on campus and online tracks is only possible with the permission of the program.
Classification of Students
REGULAR STANDING
Students who meet all of the requirements for entrance into the program and who are admitted without reservation, are granted Regular Standing in the Graduate Program in Clinical Psychology.
PROVISIONAL STANDING
Students who intend to obtain a Master of Science degree in Clinical Psychology but have not met all of the admission requirements of the program may be eligible for admission as a student with Provisional Standing. Such admission is at the discretion of the Graduate Program in Clinical Psychology. Move to Regular Standing will be considered after all undergraduate course prerequisites are completed with a letter grade of “B-” or better and/or after demonstrating the ability to do graduate level work by completing nine (9) units with a “B” or better letter grade in each course.
After successfully meeting the requirements for Regular Standing, students will be moved to Regular Standing. If they have failed to successfully meet the requirements, they will be recommended for dismissal.
PROBATIONARY STANDING
Students are placed in Probationary Standing for academic and/or for professional/clinical reasons. Students may be in Probationary Standing for one semester only. If after one semester of Probationary Standing the student is not able to regain Regular Standing they may be dismissed from the graduate program. Students with Probationary Standing should meet with their faculty advisor regularly through the probationary semester.
Academic Probation
Students admitted to the graduate program with Regular Standing who later receive a cumulative grade point average below 3.0 will be changed to Probationary Standing. Students with such standing must obtain both a cumulative and current grade point average of 3.0 or greater the following semester. If after one semester of Probationary Standing the student is not able to obtain a grade point average of “B” or better (3.0) they will be recommended for dismissal. The likelihood of dismissal significantly increases if the student has received one or more grades of “C” or below.
Students on academic probation may not register for more than six units during the probation period. A student’s official transcript may reflect academic probation following any full semester in which a student’s cumulative grade point average drops below a “B” average (3.0). This academic standing will remain in place unless the student receives a change of grade prior to the end of the withdrawal period of the following semester.
Academic probation will continue for the student until the current and cumulative GPA’s are raised to 3.0 or higher.
Professional/Clinical Probation
Students admitted to the graduate program with Regular Standing, who later do not maintain satisfactory clinical or professional performance in departmental or practicum related activities may be placed on Probationary Standing. The student must meet with their advisor to discuss the requirements necessary to achieve satisfactory clinical performance and to regain Regular Standing. For more information please see “Continuation in Program” in “Program Policies.” If satisfactory clinical performance cannot be achieved the student may be dismissed from the program.
Classification and Financial Aid
Regular Standing students may be eligible for full institutional or federal aid. Provisional and Probationary Standing students may be eligible for partial federal aid.
Grade Requirements
Since graduate courses generally require more time than undergraduate courses, students should enroll for a reasonable course load for each semester. Students in the Master of Science Degree program must maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least “B” (3.0) throughout the program. Failure to do so will result in being either placed on Probationary Standing or dismissed from the program.
Any grade below “B-” is below minimal performance (unsatisfactory) in the program and indicates that improvement is required in order to complete the M.S. degree. The minimum grade that may be applied toward the Master of Science in Clinical Psychology degree is a "C". Grades of “C-” and below cannot be used toward the Master of Science degree except by repeating the course with a satisfactory grade and students are required to repeat the course as soon as the course is offered in subsequent terms. Should a student need to repeat more than one course, the program can decide which course(es) must be repeated. A course cannot be repeated in the program more than twice.
Students who receive a grade which is below a “B-” will be required to meet with the Director to determine whether or not they should continue in the program. A second course grade that is below a “B-” may result in being recommended for dismissal.
Continuation in the Program
In addition to meeting academic standards for graduation, students are expected to meet generally accepted behavioral criteria for a mental health professional. Relevant areas include, but are not limited to, following appropriate ethical-legal standards, demonstrating reasonable maturity in professional interpersonal contacts, and remaining free of personal-emotional behaviors that could constitute a reasonable threat to the welfare of the public to be served. If a situation of concern arises in regards to these issues either in departmental or practicum related activities, the student will meet with the Program Director, Director of Clinical Training and the student’s advisor to discuss the student’s status in the program.
As a condition of the student’s continuation in the program the department has the option to require the student to address these issues through personal therapy. If required, the student must see a licensed Psychologist, Marriage and Family Therapist, Professional Clinical Counselor, Clinical Social Worker or Psychiatrist. Upon agreement by the Director, Director of Clinical Training, the student’s advisor and the student other options such as coaching, spiritual direction, and tutoring may be considered.
Students are required to demonstrate increasing competence and professional skill as well as compliance with ethical standards and legal mandates throughout clinical training. Progression in the program is granted based partly on satisfactory performance in clinical training. If satisfactory performance is not maintained students may be placed on Professional/Clinical Probation or dismissed from the program. In order to assess performance, evaluations of clinical activity may be obtained from clinical sites, professors, and others involved with the student’s clinical training, and will be reviewed by the Director of Clinical Training. If in the opinion of the Director of Clinical Training, evaluations indicate that a student’s clinical and/or professional activities have exposed, are exposing, or indicate future likelihood of exposing one or more clients to significant risk of harm, the student will immediately be dismissed from the program. When dismissal is considered, reasonable efforts will be made to obtain evaluations from clinical sites and to include those evaluations in the decision process. The student retains all rights of and access to appeal processes.
Student Status Change
LEAVE OF ABSENCE POLICY
See Leave of Absence Policy in the graduate studies section.
TEMPORARY WITHDRAWAL FROM THE PROGRAM
Students who do not qualify for an official Leave of Absence may apply/request for a Temporary Withdrawal from the program. If approved, students may re-enter the program by submitting an Application for Re-admission to the Graduate Program in Clinical Psychology. Returning students are subject to any new or changed academic regulations and program requirements in effect at the time of their re-admission.
WITHDRAWAL FROM THE PROGRAM
See Withdrawal From the University in the graduate studies section.
RE-ADMISSION
A student must apply for re-admission after a temporary withdrawal or withdrawing from the program/university. Returning students are subject to any new or changed academic regulations and program requirements in effect at the time of their re-admission.
Students who have been on a program approved temporary withdrawal, for two years or less must submit an Application for Re-admission to the Graduate Program in Clinical Psychology. Students who did not receive program approval for a temporary withdrawal and/or have been absent for more than two years will be administratively withdrawn and must repeat the application process with Graduate Admissions. Readmitted students will be subject to current academic catalog program requirements.
A person who has been dismissed from the program may reapply to the program a minimum of two years after dismissal. The applicant must repeat the admissions process with Graduate Admissions. An additional letter must be included with the application, which 1) addresses the causes for dismissal, 2) states the reasons for requesting re-admittance, and 3) includes any other information deemed relevant by the applicant. Additional information or documentation may be required if applicable. The application will be considered with the regular admissions pool. Readmitted students will be subject to current academic catalog program requirements.
Program Policies
Advising and Mentoring
Graduate students are assigned a faculty advisor who will assist them throughout their time in the program in academic, clinical and professional aspects of their education and serve as chair for Advancement to Candidacy and Exit Project committees. The academic advising process, which is done in conjunction with the Director, Program Office, and faculty advisor, will assist the student in the planning of academic curriculum. The mentoring process is highly valued and the mentoring relationship between students and faculty/staff is encouraged. It is anticipated that this relationship will be meaningful and beneficial as the graduate student is able to have one-to-one attention and interaction.
Student Load
Full-time. A full-time academic load at the graduate level is six (6) unit hours or more per semester, pending specific program requirements. Students may not enroll for more than fifteen (15) unit hours in a regular semester without the approval of the Director of the Graduate Program in Clinical Psychology.
Part-time. Part-time schedules are available. A student’s academic load may vary according to their specific progress and standing in the program. The Director may allow deviations to the anticipated unit load in consideration of specific needs of a student.
Personal Disclosure
Looking at one’s personal information, history and relationships is an integral part of clinical training. Some disclosure of such information is required in the admission process, course work and/or other program related activities. The faculty and staff respect that process and will strive to keep such information confidential.
Vanguard Graduate Clinical Psychology Employees as Mandated Reporters for Child Abuse and Neglect
All Graduate Clinical Psychology employees of Vanguard University are mandated reporters for child abuse and neglect. If an employee has “reasonable suspicion” of abuse, a report will be made to the appropriate authorities.
Personal Therapy
It is anticipated that personal issues will arise for students in a graduate program in psychology and that it is of utmost importance for a future therapist to have been engaged in the therapeutic process as a client. Therefore, students are required to be involved in personal therapy concurrent with their course work. Prior to graduation students must complete 30 sessions of individual, couples, family and/or group therapy, and must begin those sessions within their first semester of the program.
- Therapists must be licensed as a Psychologist, Marriage and Family Therapist, Clinical Social Worker, or Professional Clinical Counselor, or be a registered Associate/Assistant in one of those licenses with at least 2,000 hours completed towards their licensure requirements. If an Associate/Assistant is used, then the student must also supply a letter from the therapist's supervisor confirming how many hours they have completed.
- Only psychotherapy groups fulfill this requirement. Groups created for the purpose of being a psycho-educational, marriage/pre-marital, support group, 12 step programs, or other non-psychotherapy formats will not be accepted. If you have questions about the acceptability of a specific group, the program will be happy to assess the group prior to you beginning sessions and, if it meets the requirements, will give approval.
- Individual, couples and family sessions are to be at least 45 minutes in length; group therapy sessions are to be at least 90 minutes in length. Sessions which are longer in length will be considered as one session.
- No more than one session per day will be counted towards the requirement. Multiple sessions per week may be counted towards the requirement.
- Personal therapy requirement will be considered to be fulfilled when the student submits a completed and signed Personal Therapy Record form(s) which indicates the required number of therapy sessions have been completed.
- Therapy requirement may be fulfilled through multiple therapists.
- Therapy sessions must be accrued concurrent with enrollment in the program.
- Professors and other professionals involved with the graduate psychology program may not provide therapy for students.
Practicum Experience
Degree requirements include the placement in a clinical practicum site(s) and completion of 225 clinical hours with a minimum of 150 face-to-face client contact hours. In compliance with state requirements, students must be concurrently enrolled in a practicum course (PSYG-626 Professional Skills in Clinical Practice, PSYG-726 Case Conceptualization or PSYG-727 Practicum) while gaining clinical hours. Hours of experience gained as a student may also be applied to licensing requirements for Marriage and Family Therapists in the state of California.
Students interested in licensure as PCC must complete a minimum of 280 hours of face-to-face supervised clinical experience counseling individuals, families, or groups. For PCC licensure, hours of experienced gained as a student are not applied to licensing requirements.
Practicum hours can be used to meet both degree/MFT and PCC requirements.
Advance to Candidacy
Degree bound students must officially be advanced to candidacy status prior to degree confirmation. Neither admission to the Master of Science program nor completion of required course work automatically advances a student to candidacy for the Master of Science Degree.
To be eligible to apply for Advancement to Candidacy students must have begun practicum placement and have met the minimum required client hours. Additionally, the project must be completed before the last semester in the program.
The results from the Advance to Candidacy process will be used to determine whether the student displays:
- Academic and professional ability in the program.
- Preparation which constitutes a satisfactory foundation on which to complete the program.
- Necessary professional attitudes, value priorities and qualities of mind to justify continuation of study toward the Master of Science degree.
Exit Project
In order to fulfill graduation requirements a student must successfully complete an exit project consisting of a case presentation. The Comprehensive Project course, along with the Program Director and/or student’s faculty advisor, will provide specific information about the project. Completion of the Comprehensive Project course will be during the semester in which the student intends to graduate. Under special circumstances other options for the project may be available with the approval of the Program Director.
Time Limit for Program Completion
All academic work for the Master of Science degree must be completed within five (5) years from the date of official admission into the Graduate Program in Clinical Psychology. Time spent on leave of absence is calculated into that five (5) year limit. Any exceptions to the limit must be approved by the Director of the Graduate Program in Clinical Psychology.
Study of a special topic in psychology. May be repeated for credit.
Terms Typically Offered: Spring.
Clinical and theoretical foundations of the field of clinical psychology are presented with an emphasis on Client-Centered therapy and the development of beginning level skills. Course includes supervised experience which will be used in assessing eligibility for trainee status.
Terms Typically Offered: Fall.
Socio-cultural, spiritual, emotional, and behavioral deviations of human behavior in adults are explored. Child and adolescent psychopathology is introduced. Course emphasizes the DSM, etiology, differential diagnostic skills, evidence based treatment and an understanding of cultural differences in the expression and assessment of pathology.
Terms Typically Offered: Fall.
Exploration of the legal and ethical issues pertinent to the field of psychology. The roles and responsibilities of the practitioner are evaluated emphasizing the application of ethical standards to clinical work in varied settings.
Terms Typically Offered: Fall.
Examination of the intervention techniques, evidence based practices, and major theories of Marriage and Family Therapy. Application of each theory is evaluated for cultural appropriateness, legal and ethical considerations, working with the severely mentally ill and their families, and use within community mental health services.
Terms Typically Offered: Spring.
This class offers continued training of basic clinical skills with an emphasis on facilitating the capacity for empathic listening, reflection, and skills necessary for building, monitoring, and maintaining a therapeutic alliance. Concurrent practicum placement is required.
Prerequisite: PSYG-601
Terms Typically Offered: Spring.
Overview of behavioral science statistics focusing on how to conduct research, to be an educated consumer of research and to apply research findings to clinical practice.
Terms Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, and Summer.
An in-depth exploration of human development through the neurobiological, behavioral, socio-cultural, cognitive, and spiritual perspectives with an emphasis on attachment and clinical application.
Terms Typically Offered: Fall.
The clinical application of theory, assessment and treatment for children and adolescents is examined. Legal and ethical concerns, therapeutic interventions, diversity, socio-economic factors and development are addressed.
Terms Typically Offered: Spring.
A study of the theories and processes of therapy based on the psychodynamic modality. Emphasis is placed on understanding a client's internal dynamics. Application is made in relation to theoretical and DSM diagnoses, assessment and treatment of individuals as well as an understanding how this approach can be utilized in multiple settings and with multiple populations.
A study of the theories and processes of therapy based on the cognitive-behavioral modality. Focus is placed on how belief systems interface with behavior and emotion. Application is made in relation to theoretical diagnosis, assessment and treatment of individuals, particularly with anxiety based or related conditions.
Study of a current topic within the field of psychotherapy. May be repeated for credit.
Terms Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, and Summer.
This class offers additional training of clinical skills, psychopathology, diagnoses, legal and ethical issues, report writing, treatment planning, and case conceptualization.
Prerequisite: PSYG-626
Terms Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, and Summer.
Documentation, case report writing, and treatment planning are taught while students are concurrently placed in a field practicum. Students learn how to create professional documents for community mental health settings, legal systems and private practice while developing their clinical skills.
Open to students with the approval of the instructor and director. Regular hours each week for classes and/or meetings are established at the beginning of the semester. The student assists an instructor in planning and conducting a course. These credits do not count toward degree requirements.
Terms Typically Offered: Fall.
Open to students with the approval of the instructor and director. Regular hours each week for classes and/or meetings are established at the beginning of the semester. The student carries out supervised research activities. These credits do not count toward degree requirements.
Terms Typically Offered: Fall.
A study of current theories and processes regarding career development including decision-making models; interrelationships between work, family and other factors; and multicultural considerations in career development. Application is made to clinical practice; how to assess interest and ability; and how to access occupational, educational, and professional resources.
Terms Typically Offered: Summer.
Study of a special topic in psychology. May be repeated for credit. Pre-requisite: Permission of Instructor
Terms Typically Offered: Summer.
A study of a subject not addressed by a regular course that is initiated by the student through a written prospectus of the proposed study and the securing of an appropriate sponsoring faculty member to supervise and evaluate the study.
Terms Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, and Summer.
Current theoretical and clinical approaches regarding the etiology, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of the spectrum of addictive behaviors are taught, with an emphasis on alcohol and substance abuse.
Terms Typically Offered: Spring.
Class focuses on developing the student's sensitivity, increased self-awareness, understanding and respect for the diversity of human beings and examines how issues of diversity are related to the therapeutic process. Emphasis is placed on enhancing cultural competency.
Terms Typically Offered: Summer.
Theoretical, legal and ethical understanding of abuse, trauma and crisis is explored by examining prevention, intervention, assessment, treatment and clinical application. Child Abuse, Domestic Violence and Family Violence are emphasized.
Terms Typically Offered: Summer.
Explores the integration of psychology, theology, and spiritual formation and how it affects the mental health of the client. Consideration given to the role of the therapist and the therapeutic relationship with an emphasis on the Christian faith.
Terms Typically Offered: Fall.
Theories of couple therapy are examined, including evidence based practices, emotionally focused therapy, systems theory, couple assessment, and therapeutic interventions.
Terms Typically Offered: Fall.
A study of the theories and processes of therapy based on the group modality. Focus is placed on the concepts of the primary therapeutic factors, stages, interventions, critical incidents and diversity. Application is made to group dynamics and development of clinical skills.
Terms Typically Offered: Spring.
Overview of current research and use of psychotropic medications for the spectrum of disorders as described in the DSM are presented. Ethical, legal, and scope of practice issues are included.
Prerequisite: PSYG-603
Terms Typically Offered: Summer.
Examination of the unique theoretical and clinical components related to working with minors, the elderly, and issues related to pregnancy, death and dying. Students are trained to work within the public mental health system and with the severely mentally ill. Placement within the legal system, housing and healthcare alternatives will be explored.
Basic testing skills are developed and psychometric theory is emphasized. Students are trained in the administration, scoring, interpretation and application of resulting data. Culturally appropriate use of assessment tools is included.
Prerequisite: PSYG-626 recommended
Terms Typically Offered: Fall.
In-depth processing of clinical casework with emphasis on case conceptualization, etiology, diagnosing both theoretically and according to the DSM, treatment planning and prognosis. Case management and use of supervision are discussed with emphasis on appropriate referrals. Concurrent field placement is required for this course.
Prerequisite: PSYG-626
Terms Typically Offered: Fall and Spring.
Practicum placement management and oversight. Concurrent field placement is required for this course. Permission of program required.
Prerequisite: PSYG-626
Terms Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, and Summer.
This class applies knowledge of research design and statistics to psychosocial research. Actual research will be designed and carried out. These credits do not count toward degree requirements.
Terms Typically Offered: Fall.
This comprehensive class assists the student in the synthesis of knowledge gained over the span of the graduate program for the purpose of furthering professional identity and competency. This class is completed during the final semester of coursework or with the permission of program or professor. Exit Project is completed and field placement is required concurrently with this course. Pre-requisite: Final semester or by permission of program.
Terms Typically Offered: Spring.
May be required for each semester in which the student is not enrolled in any program coursework. May be required until all graduation requirements have been met. Credit does not count toward Master's degree requirements. PSYG-799 will carry a grade of "CE" (continuing enrollment) until all course requirements are met, at which time the grade will be changed to "CR" (credit).
Terms Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, and Summer.