Becoming an MFT: Inside Jessup’s Master Counseling Psychology Program
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports that more than one in five adults in the United States lives with a mental illness. Your interest in counseling psychology has never been more relevant as the need for mental health support continues to grow. The field shows remarkable growth potential, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasting a strong 23% increase by 2026. Professionals in this field earn median salaries of $48,790 annually.
A master’s degree in counseling psychology from Jessup sets you up for success in this rewarding field. The program meets California state’s qualifying requirements to become a Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC). The curriculum combines psychological theory, research, spiritual formation, and practical training. Quality education is available through both in-person and synchronous online learning models, whatever your circumstances might be.
Program Snapshot
Jessup’s master counseling psychology program offers a well-laid-out approach to professional development. Students complete 63 units over 26 months through a detailed educational experience. Evening classes meet twice weekly from 6-9pm or 6-10pm, making the program available to working professionals.
WASC accreditation backs the program which uses a cohort model that encourages supportive relationships throughout your educational experience. The program’s success shows in its numbers – nearly 125 graduates since 2018.
This master’s degree in counseling psychology stands out with its dual-licensure design. Students can meet requirements for both Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) credentials. Licensed practitioners serve as faculty members and bring real-life expertise to the classroom.
Students complete 280 direct client contact hours through practicum experiences. The program provides 14 months in practicum—a lot more than many comparable programs—which gives valuable client interaction time. Students also complete 20 hours of personal psychotherapy as part of their professional development.
The estimated total program tuition comes to $41,580, an investment in a growing field. California residents can choose the 100% remote learning option without compromising quality. This option lets students join fully-live, virtual classrooms with their cohort and professors. Students pair with California clinical practitioners to complete required in-person practicum hours.
The curriculum blends psychological theory and research with biblical principles. Jessup prepares counselors who understand mental, emotional, and spiritual dimensions of human experience.
The program covers everything from counseling skills to treatment planning, theories, law and ethics, psychopathology, human diversity, and specialized therapeutic approaches for various populations.
Pathways and Specializations
Jessup’s master counseling psychology program opens up multiple career paths through its dual-licensure design. The program meets California’s requirements for both Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) credentials. This dual-track design creates more professional opportunities after you graduate.
The well-laid-out curriculum prepares you for career paths in various settings. Our graduates excel in these key areas:
- Marriage and Family Counseling – You’ll help couples and families solve interpersonal issues related to communication, intimacy, finances, and parenting
- Mental Health Counseling – You’ll help clients manage emotional responses, diagnose and treat disorders, and connect them with support resources
- School Counseling – You’ll support students with academic goals, study habits, and behavioral challenges while working with teachers and parents
The program gives you skills for roles beyond these core paths. You can work as substance abuse counselors, crisis response specialists, residential counselors, case managers, or clinical directors. The program’s thorough preparation has built such a strong reputation that employers seek Jessup graduates for their competence, professionalism, and Christ-like work ethic.
The 26-month program includes 14 months of practicum. This gives you more client experience than typical programs. Your extended clinical experience becomes a great foundation for the required two-year supervised clinical work after graduation.
Faith principles blend into every course in the curriculum. This integrated approach helps you develop both technical skills and the character needed for effective counseling.
You’ll be ready for doctoral studies if you choose to advance your education. Our graduates don’t struggle to find jobs—they often choose from multiple offers.
Your master’s degree in counseling psychology from Jessup becomes your path to a rewarding career where you’ll help others through life’s challenges with skill and compassion.
Learning Options and Flexibility
Flexibility is the life-blood of Jessup’s approach to graduate education in counseling psychology. The program has expanded its available options by offering both traditional in-person classes and a fully synchronous online learning model. This remote option, launched in 2022, lets you participate in live virtual classrooms among fellow remote students and dedicated professors.
The online format delivers the same high-quality, interactive experience as the on-campus option. Weekly online meetings help you connect with professors and classmates by name, which creates a genuine learning community despite the physical distance. Students get the convenience of remote learning combined with traditional classroom interaction in this synchronous format.
California residents will find the 100% remote learning option particularly advantageous. They can study from home while taking fully-live virtual classes with their dedicated cohort. We designed this option for students with geographical constraints or demanding schedules, and it will give a perfect balance between educational quality and convenience.
Classes meet two nights per week from 6-9pm or 6-10pm, which works well for working professionals. Students should plan to spend about 12 hours weekly for each three-unit course in online format. This focused approach helps students balance their career commitments with educational advancement.
Remote coursework doesn’t change California’s strict practicum requirements. Students work with a California clinical practitioner to complete mandatory in-person practicum hours. This matches state licensing requirements, which just need a minimum of 150 hours of face-to-face counseling experience plus 75 more hours of either client-centered advocacy or additional face-to-face counseling.
The program launched this synchronous option only when we were willing to see how some students thrived in remote learning environments during COVID-19. This thoughtful combination of flexibility and rigor makes your master’s degree in counseling psychology available without compromising the quality of your preparation.
Admission Requirements
Students need several qualifications to enter Jessup’s master counseling psychology program. A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale tops the list. Your GPA falls below this mark? You can still apply by submitting a petition letter that explains your academic history and plans for future success. The letter should be no more than two pages and double-spaced.
The application package must include:
- A detailed resume
- Two reference letters from academic or employment sources
- A personal essay (maximum three pages, double-spaced) addressing your faith development and interest in psychology
- A two-minute video introduction that shares your reasons to pursue this degree and your unique contributions to the field
Students must pass a Biopsychology prerequisite with at least a C grade. The program welcomes applications for both Spring and Fall semesters. Some candidates might need to attend an oral interview during the evaluation process.
Accepted students join a program that prepares them for both Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) and Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) credentials in California. This careful selection process helps find candidates who have the right academic background, character traits, and professional potential for this rewarding field.
Why Choose This Program
Students who choose Jessup’s master counseling psychology program pick a path that delivers real satisfaction. The numbers tell the story – graduates rate their academic experience very high (4.7/5). They feel well-supported by faculty (4.5/5) and welcome in the school community (4.6/5). The program stands out with its dual-licensure preparation that meets California’s requirements for both Marriage and Family Therapy (LMFT) and Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) credentials.
This master’s degree in counseling psychology shines through its dedication to developing well-rounded counselors. Students receive “heart, head and hands” training that encourages compassion and empathy while building clinical knowledge and practical skills. The program’s extended 14-month practicum offers more client interaction than typical programs, which is a big deal as it means better preparation for real-world practice.
The program’s job placement record speaks volumes. Graduates often find themselves choosing between multiple job offers instead of searching for positions. Right now, the mental health field enjoys unprecedented funding, which creates plenty of opportunities for qualified professionals.
Faith principles weave naturally through every course in the curriculum. This comprehensive approach helps you develop both technical skills and the character needed to work effectively as a counselor. Students learn in a cohort model that builds lasting supportive relationships. These connections create a community that stays strong long after graduation.