Golden Gate University

ProGRAM Highlights

In addition to work in private practice or in the field of business, there is a growing demand for counselors, therapists, mediators, organizational consultants, among a host of other career paths. Golden Gate University's psychology program offers a fresh, applied curriculum designed by psychologists who are currently practicing in the field. We believe exposure to a broad range of psychological thought and practice is important in helping students fully understand the field arind in selecting the right career path within psychology.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Graduates of the MA in psychology degree with concentrations in marriage and family therapy and counseling possess the skills and knowledge to:

• Be able to assess and diagnose individuals suffering from emotional of life transition problems.
• Have a command of fundamental counseling skills such as empathy, listening, reflection and boundaries.
• Be able to formulate a treatment plan based on scientific theories of psychology.
• Understand the legal, ethical and cultural issues involved in counseling.
• Have the resources necessary to stay current in their discipline.

Graduates of the MA in psychology degree with a concentration in industrial/organizational psychology possess the skills and knowledge to demonstrate proficiency in:

• Employee Selection: Effective matching of individual needs, preferences, knowledge, skills, and abilities to the needs and preferences of the organization.
• Performance Appraisal: Utilize methods of measuring and evaluating individuals in organizations.
• Training: Design, conduct, and evaluate instructional programs and conduct needs assessments, including organizational, job and task analyses as they relate to the development of training programs.
• Organizational Development: Diagnose organizational units and facilitate planned change in individuals, groups, and organizations to improve their effectiveness, efficiency and/or health.
• Job and Task Analysis: Techniques used to evaluate the requirements and context of a job or task and the attributes needed to perform that job.
• Tests and Measurement: The ability to select, administer and interpret psychological instruments used in organizations.
• Work Motivation: Understanding of the conditions that influence the directions, strength, and persistence of an individual within an organization.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Graduate Writing Proficiency Requirement

Students admitted to the master of arts in psychology degree program must meet the graduate writing proficiency requirement within the first nine units of the program by successfully passing the Graduate Writing Proficiency Exam or by completing ENGL 201, Graduate Writing, with a grade of B or better.

Math Proficiency Requirement

Students admitted to this program are expected to possess a level of mathematical skill at least equivalent to Math 40 - Statistics.

The math proficiency requirement may be waived if the student has previously completed comparable courses at another accredited college or university, or passed the appropriate CLEP Exam or Math 40 Proficiency Exam with an acceptable score. Students may be admitted to advanced program courses before completion of the writing and math proficiencies requirements, but must complete them both by the time that 12 units have been earned in the advanced program.

TUITION

Ageno School of Business Courses: $2,520 per 3-unit course

Tuition varies for other courses. See Tuition & Fees for details.

Locations

This program is offered at the following locations: San Francisco .

Student Success rates

The below table has captured Fall 2005 Master of Arts in Psychology starters to illustrate their success over a 5 year period:

Combined Concentration in Counseling and Industrial/Organizational Psychology -- 45 Units

A dual graduate degree concentration designed to train psychology students for a maximum level of career flexibility.

This curriculum prepares you for work in organizational settings and counseling work not requiring licensure.

The combined concentration is ideal for individuals interested in the broad spectrum of applied psychology and provides a maximum level of career flexibility in psychology. Graduates will find opportunities in business consulting, organizational psychology, school and career counseling, conflict resolution, coaching, teaching, interdisciplinary writing and research, and preparation for doctoral studies.

Required Courses -- 45 units

One of the following:

Two additional courses with the PSYCH prefix from approved courses in any psychology degree concentration.

Combined Concentration in Marriage & Family Therapy and Industrial/Organizational Psychology -- 72 Units

A combined graduate degree concentration designed to train psychology students for work in organizational settings and private practice licensed or non-licensed counseling.

The combined concentration is ideal for individuals interested in the broad spectrum of applied psychology. It provides a maximum level of career flexibility in psychology. Graduates will find  opportunities in private practice counseling, business consulting, school and career counseling, conflict resolution, coaching, teaching, interdisciplinary writing and research, and preparation for doctoral studies.

This curriculum meets the MFT and LPCC licensure requirements as required by sections 4980.36 or 4980.37 and 4999.32 or 4999.33 of the Business and Professionals (B&P) code. The program satisfies all the educational requirements set by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences and provides some hours of supervised experience fulfilling part of the practical experience requirements. Licensed marriage and family therapists and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors provide psychological services in community mental health agencies, private clinics, or in independent private practice.

Required Courses -- 72 units

Counseling Concentration — 36 Units

A practical graduate degree concentration designed to train psychology students for counseling work not requiring a license in organizational settings.

This curriculum prepares you for professional counseling work not requiring a license in organizational settings such as employee assistance programs, social service agencies, and school or college counseling centers. It also prepares students for graduate study leading to the PhD or PsyD degree.

Required Courses — 36 units

Nine units of the following:

Any other course approved by the program chair (3 units)

Industrial/Organizational Psychology Concentration -- 33 Units

A dynamic graduate degree concentration designed to prepare psychology students for work in organizational settings.

Individuals trained in industrial and organizational psychology work in corporate human resource departments, consulting firms, nonprofit and social service agencies, educational and health care institutions, and government agencies at the national, state, or  local levels. Many graduates also decide to work as private consultants.

Required Courses — 33 units

Two of the following:

Any other course approved by the program chair (3 units)

Marriage and Family Therapy Concentration -- 60 Units

A focused graduate degree concentration designed to prepare psychology students for traineeships and post-graduate internships, and for the licensing exam.

This curriculum meets the MFT and LPCC licensure requirements as required by sections 4980.36 or 4980.37 and 4999.32 or 4999.33 of the Business and Professionals (B&P) code. The program satisfies all the educational requirements set by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences and provides some hours of supervised experience fulfilling part of the practical experience requirements. Licensed marriage and family therapists and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors provide psychological services in community mental health agencies, private clinics, or in independent private practice.

Required Courses -- 60 units