MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

To see a recording of Dr. Erin Woodhead's informational session about the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program from November 2023, click here!

If you are considering different graduate schools and career pathways, click here to review a recording of Dr. Matthew Capriotti's April 2023 webinar on "Graduate School and Career Pathways in Mental Health and Social Services."

COVID and in-person learning announcement

The SJSU CMHC program is an in-person program, and we are currently holding classes in person. We plan to continue with in-person classes for Fall 2022 and beyond.

Welcome

San Jose State University's (SJSU) MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (formerly MS in Clinical Psychology) program prepares graduate students for licensure as a Marriage Family Therapist (MFT) or Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) in California. The program is approved by the California state licensing board (the Board of Behavioral Sciences) to provide the education required to move toward licensure as an independent psychotherapist in the state. Here are some quick facts [pdf] about the program.

In compliance with Federal law 34 CFR § 668.43, we have not made a determination that the MS Clinical program curriculum at SJSU meets the state educational requirements for licensure or certification in any other state than California. While the program does meet the licensing requirements for California for the MFT and LPCC, every state has different requirements, and it will be up to each student to determine whether they will meet licensing requirements in any other US state or territory of the US after completing the curriculum at SJSU. 

Please note that beginning in Fall 2021, the MS Clinical Psychology program will be called the MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. For those applying, please search for that program name with CalSateApply. It is the same program but with a new name that reflects the training we provide for those seeking to become psychotherapists under the MFT or LPC licenses in California. [We are not a counselor eduction program for those seeking to be guidance or school academic counselors]; see SJSU's Guidance & Counseling program.            

After thoroughly reviewing the website, please email questions to CMHCdirector@sjsu.edu. Dr. Woodhead will respond to your message at that email address.