How Do the Pepperdine Online Psychology Programs Prepare Students for Licensure?

Pepperdine offers a range of online psychology degree programs and licensure tracks that will help you prepare for a mission-driven career in helping people improve their relationships and overall well-being. A psychology degree is a strong starting point for a career helping others, but choosing a specific track will refine your expert focus in a particular field, such behavior-analytic services, family dynamics, or substance use disorders. 

No matter which degree program or licensure track you choose at Pepperdine, you’ll be choosing a path that will help prepare you for the licensure requirements in your preferred field. We’re here to set you up for a successful and rewarding career in psychology. 

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The online MA in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine is a graduate degree program that prepares you to pursue licensure as either a licensed professional counselor (LPC) or a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT). 

One of the available tracks to licensure in the online MA in Clinical Psychology program is the LPC track, which prepares you for licensure examinations. 

There are two national exams administered by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC): the National Counselor Examination (NCE) and the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Exam (NCMHCE). These exams are designed to assess the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to safely provide effective counseling services; the latter also fulfills the examination requirements for the Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CCMHC) specialty certification. 

State requirements will determine which exam(s) you need to take. Most states require that you take one or the other to qualify as an LPC; some require that you take both exams; and some allow you to choose which exam you would like to take. The NBCC has created a directory of state licensure board information to ensure that you register for the correct examination. 

For students who opt to take the LPC track of the online MA in Clinical Psychology program at Pepperdine, the designed outcome is eligibility for an Associate Professional Clinical Counselor (APCC) license within California. We have provided a state-by-state breakdown of comparable licenses as a baseline determination of whether the program meets state-specific requirements. 

The other available track to licensure in the online MA in Clinical Psychology program is the LMFT track, which prepares you to sit the Examination in Marital and Family Therapy administered by the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Board (AMFTRB). This multiple-choice assessment tests your knowledge of the professional practice of marital and family therapy. 

For students who opt to take the LMFT track of the online MA in Clinical Psychology program at Pepperdine, the designed outcome is eligibility for an Associate Marriage and Family Therapy (AMFT) license within California. We have provided a state-by-state breakdown of comparable licenses as a baseline determination of whether the program meets state-specific requirements. 

In this program, students will learn how to utilize applied behavior analysis (ABA) techniques to enrich lives and prepare to begin a career as a board-certified behavior analyst (BCBA). 

As a student in the Pepperdine online Master of Applied Behavior Analysis program, you will develop a profound understanding of modern techniques used to recognize, assess, and treat human behaviors. By studying a broad range of ABA concepts, assessment procedures, and clinical interventions for children, adolescents, and adults, you’ll be able to help patients develop adaptive skills for optimal functioning in various societal roles. We have provided a state-by-state breakdown of comparable licenses as a baseline determination of whether the program meets state-specific requirements.

The BCBA exam is a professional certification test administered by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB). The multiple choice assessment is designed to evaluate your knowledge of applied behavior analysis, ethical practice, and professional responsibilities to ensure that it is consistent with that of an entry-level behavior analyst. 

You’ll earn your BCBA certification as soon as you’ve passed the exam, but you’ll still need to check with your state licensure board to determine whether or how you should submit an application for licensure before you begin practicing with your new BACB certification.