Clinical Psychology Master's Program

The Clinical Psychology Masters Program at SF State was founded in 1952 and has been running continually ever since. The program emphasizes theoretical and applied training from psychodynamic, family systems, multicultural and community psychology perspectives. The program provides two years of full-time training, leading to the Master of Science degree in Psychology with a concentration in Clinical Psychology, as well as the academic preparations and pre-master's supervised hours for the State of California Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) license. The California Board of Behavioral Sciences also requires post-master's hours for licensure as an MFT, and most students complete this roughly within two years after graduation. Given the course and practicum requirements of the program, full-time employment while enrolled is usually not possible.

Some highlights specific to our program:

  • Immediate, active hands-on practice in the mental health field. We believe the best way to learn how to become a mental health clinician is through practice, so students begin training in two different mental health practica during the first month of the program.
  • Rare two-year program that meets all current educational requirements for the Marriage and Family Therapy licensure for the State of California.
  • Excellent faculty-to-student ratios; students work closely with and are supervised directly by licensed clinical faculty.. 
  • Access to diverse skills and perspectives. Faculty have research and clinical expertise in trauma, serious mental illness, relationships, community mental health, and work with LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC communities.
  • Varied mental health training experiences. This includes an onsite mental health clinic, a residential treatment program for children and their families, and community-based organizations that serve diverse communities throughout the Bay Area.
  • A longstanding commitment to training culturally diverse and sensitive therapists, with a curriculum that is infused throughout with attention to issues of cultural, social and racial diversity, antiracism, and affirmative and trauma-informed clinical practices.
  • Opportunities for research. Students interested in research have the opportunity to work (on a limited basis) in faculty research labs. This work is completely voluntary and is considered an optional addition to the requirements of the clinical training program. 

Information on tuition can be found on the Bursar's website.

Information on financial aid can be found at the SF State Office of Student Financial Aid.

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