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Counseling Psychology with Specialization in Children and Adolescents, MS

Study Counseling Psychology with Specialization in Children and Adolescents, MS at Azusa Pacific University

You’ll graduate ready to pursue LPCC licensure in California, specially prepared to make a difference in the mental health of young people. Faculty-mentors with professional experience will help you build experience and hireability with opportunities in the field, as you learn strategies for meeting mental health needs. We make it possible to gain a quality education while balancing life and work with full- and part-time options. You can also choose between online and in-person learning. 

Program at a Glance

The School of Behavioral and Applied Sciences equips students for compassionate leadership in fields like physical therapy, social work, and psychology, guided by experienced faculty and hands-on learning.

Application Deadline

  • Fall Completed Application Deadline: March 1 (Fall term starts in August)
  • Spring Final Application Deadline: October 1 (Spring term starts in January)

Apply Now

Program Units
60

Cost per Unit
$783

Base Cost
$46,980*

Location

  • Azusa (Main Campus), Online
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Yellow Ribbon and Military Friendly School

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Gain Hands-on Experience

  • Put your learning into practice through fieldwork. 
  • Integrate a Christian perspective throughout your coursework.
  • Learn from active practitioners and researchers in the field. 
  • Build your expertise in best practice treatments, youth substance abuse, childhood trauma recovery, and more. 
  • Earn an optional play therapy certificate.

By the Numbers

1 of 126 Best Western Colleges according to Princeton Review's 2023 Best Colleges Guide
13 :1 Student-to-faculty ratio
22 % Projected growth of substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselor employment from 2021-31.
 

Get Started

Eimee smiling

Eimee Ponciano: Trusting God in the Uncertainty

Eimee Ponciano ’24 is learning how to treat others with grace and respect as she dives deep into her psychology major at APU.

Program Details

The MS in Counseling Psychology degree program not only prepares individuals to work with the general population, as many psychology-related degrees do, it also prepares clinicians to specialize in the needs of children and youth. You will graduate ready to pursue LPCC licensure in California and help meet the high demand for specialists in this field.

Browse the tabs below—if you have questions, visit the Student Services Center page, and we’ll make sure you get the info you need.

Program Modality

Fall Start: in person classes at Azusa (Main Campus) for program duration
Spring Start: online SYNCHRONOUS

Admission Requirements

The university graduate and program admission requirements below must be met before an application is considered complete.

  • Graduate application for admission
  • $45 nonrefundable application fee
  • Official transcripts from all institutions leading to and awarding the applicant’s bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution and all postbaccalaureate study

    An official transcript is one that Azusa Pacific University receives unopened in an envelope sealed by the former institution and that bears the official seal of the college or university. A cumulative minimum 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) grade-point average on the posted degree is required for regular admission status. Provisional admittance may be granted to individuals with a lower GPA if competency can be shown through multiple measures.
  • Professional Interest Essay covering:
  • Brief background information to help us get to know you as a unique person
  • Why you chose to pursue Counseling in this season of your life
  • Why you are applying to Azusa Pacific University for Counseling
  • Experiences that have prepared you for Counseling
  • Strengths and weaknesses that would affect your performance in this career
  • Your professional goals
  • Two letters of recommendation from professional and/or academic references
  • A personal interview will be conducted as necessary with qualified applicants

Admission Requirements—International Applicants

Azusa Pacific University is authorized under federal law by the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services and the U.S. Department of State to enroll nonimmigrant, alien undergraduate and graduate students. APU issues and administers both the I-20 and DS 2019 (F-1 and J-1 status documents respectively).

To apply for a graduate program at APU, the following requirements must be fulfilled in addition to meeting the domestic applicant and program-specific admission requirements specified above.

International applicants must also:

  • Demonstrate proficiency in English through a placement test with the Academic Success Center, or through a TOEFL/IELTS score that meets program-specific requirements. Refer to APU’s English proficiency requirements to learn more. Request that official test scores be sent to APU. All other forms of proof indicated in the English proficiency requirements must be submitted directly to International Services.
  • Provide a Graduate Affidavit of Financial Support (PDF) and a bank statement from within the last six months proving financial ability to pay for education costs through personal, family, or sponsor resources.
  • Submit a copy of a valid passport showing biographical data, including your name, country of citizenship, date of birth, and other legal information.
  • Get foreign transcripts evaluated. International credentials (transcripts, certificates, diplomas, and degrees) must be evaluated by a foreign transcript evaluation agency. View our policy and a list of approved Foreign Transcript Evaluation Agencies.

Send official transcripts to:

Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions
Azusa Pacific University
PO Box 7000
Azusa, CA 91702-7000
[email protected]

What to Expect

After all admission materials have been received by the Student Services Center, the faculty or department chair reviews the applicant’s file. The applicant is notified in writing of the admission decision.

Delivering high-quality graduate programs takes a comprehensive support system. Your investment in an advanced degree includes those services and personnel who partner with you in pursuit of higher education. Below is a detailed breakdown of the fees associated with the benefits and services included in your degree program.

Department of Psychology

Tuition and Fees
  Cost
MS in Counseling Psychology (per unit) $783

View a complete list of university fees.

All stated financial information is subject to change. Contact the Student Services Center at (626) 815-2020 for more information.

Financial Aid

Several types of financial aid are available to graduate students. The resources range from federal loans and state grants to, for some graduate programs, fellowships and scholarships. For details about financial aid available for your program, please contact the Student Services Center at (626) 815-2020.

Military Benefits

Military members—and in some cases their spouses and dependents—qualify for financial assistance covering tuition, housing, and books. Azusa Pacific is a Yellow Ribbon University and Military Friendly School, so you can be confident that you’ll receive the benefits and flexibility you need to complete your education.

School of Behavioral and Applied Sciences Alumni Tuition Discounts

APU’s School of Behavioral and Applied Sciences (BAS) offers an alumni tuition discount for APU alumni starting in the following graduate programs:

Students must be in good academic standing and maintain satisfactory academic progress with a minimum cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 3.0. Students must be enrolled at least half-time. If qualifications are met, the discount may be renewed each term. APU will pay $500 per term (up to $2,000 over the course of the program). This discount cannot be combined with other institutional aid. Contact Student Financial Services for complete eligibility details.

Note: Award and eligibility are applicable for the 2022-23 academic year and apply to students admitted beginning fall 2020. The discount is subject to change.

To view specific requirements and coursework information, visit the current academic catalog:

If you have questions, we’re here to help! Connect with a representative who can walk you through the program details and application process.

Contact Your Admissions Representative

Additional Program Contact

Danielle Lascano, EdD, Program Director, [email protected]

Kililani Mattson, Graduate Program Coordinator, [email protected]

, (626) 815-6000 Ext. 2415

Department of Psychology

Phone

(626) 815-6000, Ext. 2420

Mail

Department of Psychology
Azusa Pacific University
PO Box 7000
Azusa, CA 91702-7000

Hours

Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Student Services Center

Contact (626) 812-3016 or [email protected], and visit apu.edu/ssc for details on the admissions process, financial aid, and class registration.

International Services

International students should contact +1-626-812-3055 or [email protected], and visit apu.edu/international/.

  • Azusa Pacific University is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).

Featured Faculty

Danielle Lascano

Danielle Lascano

Chair, Department of Marriage and Family Therapy; Director, MS in Counseling Psychology; and Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology

Kristen Watkins

Kristen Watkins

Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology

Career Outlook and Outcomes

Eimee smiling

Eimee Ponciano: Trusting God in the Uncertainty

Eimee Ponciano ’24, enjoys learning how to treat patients in a caring and respectful way from her experienced professors.

Note: This information is current for the 2023-24 academic year; however, all stated academic information is subject to change. Refer to the current Academic Catalog for more information.
 
*Base Cost (cost per unit x program units) is provided to aid in program comparison only.
All stated financial information is subject to change. View Tuition tab above.

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