Practicum

Pepperdine’s Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology program, and the Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis both require students to complete a practicum portion, which may include accruing hours with clients in the final few terms of each program.

Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology (LPC/MFT Licensing Track)

During four terms of the program, students will have the opportunity to gain direct experience providing counseling services to clients. Students will receive clinical training under the supervision of a licensed therapist or counselor at a clinical site near their community.

Students in the state of California will be required to complete 225 hours for LMFT(150 of which will be spent directly with clients) and 280 hours for LPCC licensure, respectively, during the final four terms of their program. All students outside of California will be required to complete 700 total placement hours. For the out-of-state LMFT track, 225 of the 700 hours will be spent directly with clients. For the out-of- state LPCC track, 280 of the 700 hours will be spent directly with clients.

How It Works:

  • 120 days before beginning their Practicum course (PSY 662), each student is assigned to a Placement Specialist. The Placement Specialist contacts each student and conducts a “welcome call.”
  • Based on information gathered during the welcome call, the Placement Specialist can assist the student in researching and connecting with possible sites. The primary onus, however, will fall to the student to find a placement opportunity.
  • The Placement Specialist and the Pepperdine clinical training team then evaluate the appropriateness of the site, ensuring it meets Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) criteria. Once the site is approved, the student participates in an interview at the site(s).
  • Once placed, the student completes the 4-Way Agreement and other required paperwork.
  • When the student’s PSY 662 course begins, they may start counting hours.

Please see the BBS website for important licensing information for the state of California. The BBS website also offers a full document of FAQ’s for both LPC and LMFT licensing tracks.

Additional resources can also be found in the MACLP Clinical Training Resource Folder.

Important Reminders:

  • Although getting paid for a Practicum traineeship is not unheard of, it is extremely rare.
  • LMFT applicants in California must complete a minimum of 500 direct counseling hours with children, families, or couples. Because many people find it difficult to fulfill this particular hour requirement, completing practicum hours at a site that provides services to children is a great opportunity!
  • Requirements for licensure may vary across states. Students should review the website for their state licensing board to learn about pre-and post-graduate requirements, and contact the board with any questions.

Masters of Science in Applied Behavioral Analysis (MSABA)

During the final three terms of the program, students will have the opportunity to gain direct experience providing ABA services to clients in preparation for the BCBA exam. Students will receive supervision and training under the supervision of a Board Certified Behavior Analyst at a site near their community.

Students in the MSABA program who have started the program after the October 2020 term will be required to complete a Pre-practicum course in the first or second term of their program in order to prepare them for working in their practicum site. Practicum for MSABA students will occur in the final three terms of the program, when students will be enrolled in a practicum course (PSY620). Students will be responsible for obtaining a minimum of 20 hours per month over the course of three terms, per the BACB requirements, in order to graduate.

How It Works:

  • Students will be assigned a Placement Specialist two terms prior to the start of their first practicum term (PSY 620). The Placement Specialist contacts each student and conducts a “welcome call.”
  • Based on information gathered during the welcome call, the Placement Specialist can assist the student in researching possible sites. The primary onus, however, will fall to the student to secure employment at a qualified location to complete Practicum. Students may be able to complete their placement hours at their current place of employment.
  • The Placement Specialist and the Pepperdine clinical training team then evaluate the appropriateness of the site, ensuring it meets Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) criteria. Once the site is approved, the student participates in an interview at the site(s).
  • Students who are already working at a site can inform the placement team that they want their current place of employment to be assessed before beginning an outside search.
  • Once placed, the student completes the 4-Way Agreement and other required paperwork.

Students who enrolled before October 2020 will not be required to complete a pre-practicum course(PSY 630), but will have an additional elective credit to complete instead.

The BACB website contains all manner of licensing and exam resources for students looking to meet their hourly requirements for the program.