La Sierra University Campus MFT
Looking for a strong counseling education program that prepares you for ground clinical practice? La Sierra University campus has a professional counseling program that builds the foundation for California Professional Clinical Counseling (LPCC) and MFT licensure with specialized coursework.
La Sierra University in Riverside California helps you master client assessment and treatment skills in a variety of settings, from forensic to juvenile and correctional environments. Students must complete 280 hours of face-to-face counseling and 20 hours of personal psychotherapy. This combination of hands-on practice and theoretical knowledge ensures thorough preparation. The program emphasizes culturally relevant clinical diagnosis and treatment approaches that prepare you to work with clients from different backgrounds.
The program’s total tuition costs $70,800, but this investment gives you specialized training with clear paths to professional licensure. The curriculum has 18 additional units and 33 practicum units specifically designed to prepare you for LPCC.
Program Snapshot
La Sierra University’s Master of Arts in Counseling program provides a well-laid-out educational path toward professional licensure. Full-time students can complete the 96 units total in four to five quarters. Students make a $70,800 investment that delivers complete training in counseling principles and practices.
This dual-track LMFT/LPCC program maintains accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and the Adventist Accrediting Association (AAA). La Sierra University reflects the Seventh-day Adventist Church higher education system’s values and welcomes students from all backgrounds and identities.
Students begin with 39 first-year units covering core courses like Counseling Theory & Techniques, Marriage Family Systems Intervention, and Psychopathology. The second year has 57 units that focus on specialized areas such as Standardized Testing, Lifespan Development, and Alcohol & Drug Addiction.
The program gives working professionals plenty of flexibility. Course schedules run during late afternoons, evenings, and summers, so part-time students can keep their jobs while taking longer to graduate. Some fieldwork and class assignments might need participation during regular school hours.
Clinical readiness requirements go beyond regular coursework. Students need to complete a minimum of 280 hours of face-to-face counseling experience and 20 hours of personal psychotherapy. Students must also pass a departmental comprehensive exam at least four weeks before graduation.
The program runs on a quarter system with Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer terms. Each quarter emphasizes different aspects of counseling education and practical training.
Pathways and Specializations
La Sierra University’s Master of Arts in Counseling program stands out with seven unique specializations that match different career paths in mental health. You can shape your education around your professional dreams, making it different from standard counseling programs.
The Counseling Specialization teaches core skills in assessment, therapy, and intervention methods. You’ll learn various counseling approaches like cognitive-behavioral therapy and crisis management.
The Forensic Mental Health Counseling track blends mental health with legal system expertise. You’ll learn to assess and treat people in forensic settings, juvenile facilities, and correctional institutions.
The Professional Clinical Counselor track readies you for Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) licensure. The program meets California Board of Behavioral Sciences requirements with 18 extra units plus 33 practicum units designed for LPCC preparation.
Marriage & Family Therapy teaches therapeutic methods to enhance communication and resolve conflicts while building stronger family bonds. La Sierra’s dual LMFT/LPCC track lets you earn both licenses together with minimal extra coursework.
La Sierra adds specializations in Behavioral Analysis, School Counseling, and Neuroscience & Education. The Behavioral Analysis path prepares you for Board Certified Behavior Analyst certification. School Counseling leads to the Pupil Personnel Services credential.
Each specialization needs 45 units minimum. Many students take extra courses to meet certification, credential, or licensure requirements. All paths share core counseling fundamentals while offering specialized training for specific careers.
La Sierra University Riverside California helps you become a school psychologist, licensed professional clinical counselor, marriage and family therapist, or behavioral analyst, based on your career goals.
Learning Options and Flexibility
La Sierra University campus makes education fit your schedule. Flexibility is a big part of their educational experience. The program works around working professionals’ schedules through classes offered in late afternoons, evenings, and during summer sessions.
This timing structure helps busy professionals keep their regular jobs while getting their degree. So part-time students can take longer to complete their program without losing educational quality. You won’t have to pick between moving up in your career and staying on your current professional path.
Also, you should know that some fieldwork and class assignments might need you to show up during regular school hours. You might just need some schedule flexibility at certain points throughout your educational experience.
La Sierra University puts students first with dedicated academic advising. New students meet weekly with their academic coach for the first two quarters. This will give a solid start to the program. After this, you get an advisor from your department who helps pick your courses throughout your studies.
Learning goes beyond the classroom at La Sierra. Student Life Division runs student government, activities, organizations, and spiritual life opportunities that make your education richer. These extra activities add to your formal studies and let you use theoretical knowledge in real situations.
Some La Sierra programs use a cohort model with small class sizes to encourage engagement to maximize personal mentorship and feedback. Students move through their educational experience together. This builds professional networks that last long after graduation.
Hands-on experience makes up a big part of your La Sierra education. It connects theoretical knowledge with practical use. This balanced approach gets you ready academically and professionally to meet your future career’s demands.
Admission Requirements
La Sierra University’s counseling program has specific requirements for admission. Students must have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university. Your overall undergraduate program should maintain a B (3.00) or higher GPA. The department might ask for GRE scores if your GPA falls below this threshold.
The application process has several essential steps:
- You’ll need a preadmission interview with at least two faculty members from the Department of School Psychology and Counseling. They will assess your expressiveness, commitment, values, cultural affirmation, and professional attitudes
- A writing test takes place during your interview
- You must submit official transcripts in the original language (with English translations if needed)
- Legal and health clearance must confirm you have no felony convictions or communicable diseases that could prevent teaching or performing certified services
International students face additional requirements. They need scores from either the Michigan Test of English Language Proficiency (MTELP) or the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). They must also show proof of financial stability throughout their studies.
Some students might receive admission without an initial interview. These students must meet with the department chair during their first few weeks on campus to get program approval. The program continuation depends on satisfactory ratings from the interviewers.
Accepted international students must pay the required deposit to receive their I-20 form. Students should apply for state criminal clearance right after admission if their program leads to state licensure.
La Sierra University Riverside California welcomes students from various backgrounds while maintaining these standards to ensure success in the counseling field.
Why Choose This Program
La Sierra University campus provides unique advantages beyond standard graduate programs for your MFT education. Your coursework directly prepares you for licensure in marriage and family therapy and professional clinical counseling as a California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) approved program.
The program’s efficiency stands out for students who want multiple credentials. Students can pursue dual licensure with minimal extra classes because the coursework for professional clinical counseling and marriage and family therapy tracks share many elements. La Sierra’s programs meet requirements for two PPS credentials (school counseling and school psychology) and two licensures (professional clinical counseling & marriage and family therapy).
Transfer options add more value to your education. The university accepts most previous graduate coursework that matches La Sierra’s requirements and isn’t outdated. This flexibility helps students save time and money while advancing their careers.
La Sierra University Riverside California shapes educators who make real differences in people’s lives. Employers worldwide seek La Sierra’s graduates because of their exceptional preparation. The university helps students become skilled at multicultural competence, ethical practice, and systems-oriented therapy while they review research critically in the field.
La Sierra’s community values meaningful connections where relationships and ideas thrive together. Students find a welcoming environment that enables them to contribute and get involved in meaningful ways.