Santa Clara Programs in Psychology
Santa Clara University is California’s 173-year-old operating institution of higher learning, founded in 1851. The university covers 106 acres of lush gardens and state-of-the-art facilities around its iconic Mission Church in Silicon Valley’s heart. This prestigious Jesuit university combines high-tech innovation with social consciousness that stems from traditional educational values.
The university splits its psychology programs between two academic units. The College of Arts and Sciences hosts the undergraduate psychology program, while the School of Education and Counseling Psychology manages graduate-level psychology programs.
The Psychology Department’s bachelor of science program emphasizes empirical research methods. Faculty members run active research programs in specialized laboratories that include health psychology, animal, and sleep research facilities. The department believes human actions, thoughts, and feelings stem from psychological, neurological, developmental, social, and cultural influences.
The School of Education and Counseling Psychology has grown substantially from its roots. The School of Pedagogy’s original focus prepared graduates to teach high school. The counseling psychology program took shape after creating guidelines for School Counseling credentials and Master’s degrees. The program expanded during the 1980s to include Marriage, Family, and Child Counseling license training.
The School of Education, Counseling Psychology, and Pastoral Ministries opened officially in 2001 with 800 graduate students – 200 studied psychology and 400 pursued education. Pastoral Ministries later separated, and the school became the School of Education and Counseling Psychology.
The university holds a strong academic position. U.S. News & World Report’s 2024 rankings place Santa Clara University at #59 among National Universities and #13 for Undergraduate Teaching Programs. Students benefit from an 11:1 student-faculty ratio.
The campus location offers several advantages:
- Sun shines nearly 300 days each year
- San Francisco and Santa Cruz beaches lie nearby
- San Jose, America’s 10th largest city, sits next door
- San Jose International Airport is just two miles away
Santa Clara University’s blend of academic excellence, prime location, and specialized psychology programs makes it an attractive choice for students pursuing psychology and counseling degrees.
Programs offered
Santa Clara University’s School of Education and Counseling Psychology offers two master’s programs in psychology. Each program caters to different career paths and professional goals.
The Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology features an intensive 90-unit program that prepares students to become licensed professionals. This detailed program gives you the knowledge and skills to become a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT), a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), or both through the joint MFT/LPCC track. Students can choose between full-time and part-time options, and most complete the program in about three years.
The Master of Arts in Applied Psychology requires 45 units. This program suits students who want to work in human service fields without clinical licensure. Students can build careers in human resources, community-based organizations, youth development, or prepare for doctoral studies. The degree doesn’t qualify graduates as MA-level psychotherapists. State regulations prevent course transfers to licensure-track programs later.
Students in both programs can choose from specialized emphasis areas that work like academic minors:
- Latino Counseling – Focuses on culturally appropriate counseling centered on Latino culture, ethnicity, acculturation, and immigration
- Health Psychology – Applies psychological principles to well-being, stress management, health behaviors, and disease prevention
- LGBTQ Counseling – Provides training related to gender, sexual identity diversity, and addressing oppression and discrimination
- Correctional Psychology – Prepares graduates for work in law enforcement agencies, correctional institutions, mental health facilities, and rehabilitation settings
The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Concentration helps professionals support young people through developmentally-appropriate interventions, trauma-informed care, and evidence-based approaches.
The Counseling Psychology program features four tracks:
- MFT Track – For California Marriage and Family Therapist licensure
- LPCC Track – For Professional Clinical Counselor licensure (nationally portable)
- Joint MFT/LPCC Track – For dual licensure opportunities
- No Track – For those seeking advanced training without licensure
The Applied Psychology program’s core curriculum includes 21 units across seven courses. These courses cover interpersonal communication, human development, research methods, and multicultural counseling. Students can personalize their education with 15 units of electives.
Santa Clara’s unique approach combines theoretical knowledge with practical application. This prepares students for successful careers in psychological services.
Online options
Santa Clara University’s psychology programs offer flexible learning options that make education accessible to students with packed schedules through online and hybrid formats. Students can take advantage of several programs with distance learning components through the School of Education and Counseling Psychology. This setup makes graduate education achievable for working professionals.
The MA in Counseling Psychology program combines in-person and online learning to give students flexibility and hands-on experience. Students can choose full-time or part-time study options in this 90-unit program with both online and in-person classes.
The MA in Applied Psychology (45 units) serves as a perfect non-licensure option with both in-person and online classes. Full-time students can complete this program in two years. A part-time option helps professionals who need more scheduling flexibility. The program welcomes new students every term, making it easier for professionals to advance their careers while keeping their current jobs.
Santa Clara’s online presence has grown significantly. The university saw an impressive jump in online enrollment between 2015-2016 and 2019-2020 academic years – from just 1 student to 299 students. All 299 graduate students took their courses exclusively online during 2019-2020, with 29.10% coming from out-of-state.
The Santa Clara Online platform delivers quality education that matches on-campus programs but offers more flexibility. Students can choose between synchronous (real-time) and asynchronous (self-paced) course formats. This approach will give students the full Santa Clara experience whatever their location.
Santa Clara’s online programs offer these benefits:
- More flexibility and affordability
- Access to on-campus benefits and resources
- Links to major Bay Area employers
- Faculty with industry connections
- Practical, hands-on coursework
- Education focused on ethics
The university’s strength in distance education shows in its rankings for several online programs. These include spots in online business programs (#27) and specialized MBA concentrations.
Santa Clara’s strong dedication to offering “both part- and full-time programs and some online courses” creates new possibilities for psychology students, especially when you have work and education to balance. This approach opens doors to advanced degrees that traditional on-campus formats alone couldn’t provide.
Accreditation
Quality assurance in academic institutions relies heavily on accreditation. Psychology students need to verify their chosen school’s accreditation status to ensure their education meets quality standards.
Santa Clara University has a WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) regional accreditation. The university has managed to keep this accreditation since 1949. Regional accreditation shows that all academic programs at Santa Clara meet strict quality and effectiveness standards. Students can trust their education meets external evaluation requirements.
The Commission’s latest action on June 28, 2024, shows Santa Clara’s current accreditation status. Santa Clara received a ten-year accreditation confirmation in 2021, with the next review scheduled for 2030-31.
The California Board of Behavioral Sciences has approved Santa Clara’s Department of Counseling Psychology programs. Students can train here for Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) certifications. This approval matters greatly for students seeking California licensure.
Accreditation benefits go well beyond reputation. Students at accredited schools can access federal financial aid programs – crucial for many graduate students. Credit transfers become easier. Many doctoral programs accept students from accredited schools, opening doors for advanced education.
Students who choose accredited psychology programs gain competitive advantages. They stand out during internship and post-doctoral fellowship applications. The path to licensure becomes smoother, and job prospects improve after graduation.
Accredited programs meet or exceed professional quality standards. Psychology students receive education that matches professional expectations, preparing them for real-world practice.
Santa Clara runs regular evaluation cycles with self-studies and external reviews. These assessments keep programs current with professional standards and psychology education best practices.
Santa Clara’s long-standing accreditation history proves its commitment to quality education. Students pursuing masters in psychology counseling here will receive training that meets professional standards – perfect groundwork for a successful psychology career.
Admission Requirements
Santa Clara University’s psychology masters programs have selective admission standards. The university accepted 238 out of 275 applicants (86.5% acceptance rate), and 135 students ended up enrolling.
The masters programs in psychology counseling need these steps to apply:
- Submit an online application with a USD 50.00 non-refundable application fee
- Send official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions
- Show a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Include a current resume or CV with your educational background and relevant experiences
- Get three letters of recommendation from professional references
- Write a statement of purpose essay (two pages, double-spaced)
Your statement of purpose should be original work without outside help. The essay needs to cover your reasons to enter the mental health profession, your experiences, and why you chose Santa Clara University. You should also show your steadfast dedication to social justice, multiculturalism, and diversity.
The best recommendation letters come from people who know your work well – professors, instructors, employers, or clinical supervisors. Personal friends, family members, or therapists cannot provide these recommendations.
International students have extra requirements. A NACES-approved agency must evaluate all international transcripts to show degree equivalency, U.S. GPA equivalency, and course-by-course details. English language proficiency scores must meet these minimums: 90 for TOEFL iBT, 6.5 for IELTS, or 110 for Duolingo.
The application process is available to more candidates since Santa Clara doesn’t require GRE or GMAT scores.
The program accepts applications on a rolling basis with these deadlines:
- Fall: May 1
- Winter: November 1
- Spring: February 1
- Summer: March 1
The admission committee looks at each applicant’s academic background, relevant experience, and potential contribution that matches the university’s Jesuit tradition mission.
Tuition
Making a choice about graduate education is one of the most important decisions you’ll face. You need to know the financial details of Santa Clara masters programs in psychology counseling to plan your future.
Santa Clara University’s tuition rates vary by program for the 2025-2026 academic year. The Counseling Psychology Programs charge $785.00 per unit, while Education Leadership Programs cost $584.00 per unit. Students must also pay Student Association Fees of $50.00 per quarter.
Students need about $61,290 to complete the Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology program at Santa Clara. This covers the detailed 90-unit program that prepares you for licensure. Other California universities’ graduate tuition and fees are no match for Santa Clara’s rates – they range from $14,352 at CSU institutions to over $120,000 at some private universities.
Santa Clara University knows graduate education costs can be challenging. The university provides more than $2.00 million in tuition scholarships and financial aid programs that help both new and continuing students. These scholarships include:
- Semilla Teacher Fellowship: Provides a 50% tuition reduction for students in the Master of Arts in Teaching and Teaching Credential program
- Excellence in Catholic Education and Leadership (ExCEL): Offers a 100% tuition scholarship for students who commit to teaching in TK-12 Catholic schools
- Catholic Master of Arts in Teaching (CatMAT): Grants a 40% tuition reduction for current Catholic school teachers
The total cost including living expenses ranges from $57,095 for on-campus residents to $61,772 for those living off-campus.
The online admissions process includes scholarship applications. You should write detailed essays for specific scholarships that interest you. The FAFSA isn’t required now to get SCU scholarships, though you might need it for other financial aid types.
Santa Clara’s masters in psychology counseling programs become more affordable than they first appear because of these financial support options.
Additional Information
Santa Clara University’s psychology masters programs provide great benefits beyond regular academics. The Office of Student Services & Academic Support helps students with registration, enrollment, policies and graduation procedures.
Students get real hands-on experience through research projects. Many work together with faculty in specialized research labs. These experiences can turn into course credits through PSYC 198E Internship/Practicum for students who maintain a 3.0 GPA or higher.
The Behavioral Health Services Department (BHSD) offers plenty of internship spots in adult outpatient clinics, youth facilities, and mobile crisis programs. Qualified interns who choose to work in public behavioral health after graduation receive WET stipends.