Clinical Counseling (LPCC)
Professional Clinical Counseling is one of several behavioral health professions requiring state licensure for employment in mental health settings and independent practice. Across the United States the professional title varies. Irrespective of the specific license name, clinical counselors are prepared to diagnose and treat individuals, couples and groups who need help in working through personal challenges. Loma Linda University's LPCC program is approved by the Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS), the agency responsible for regulating educational programs, post-graduation internships and licensure in the profession. The educational program meets national standards and is portable to other states.
Marriage and Family Therapy (LMFT)
The Loma Linda University MFT program is one of the most well-established programs in the state of California and has the distinction of being COAMFTE-accredited. There is a strong emphasis on whole person care and interdisciplinary learning. A Christ-centered approach is utilized to promote wellness for individuals and families. The program is based on the values of compassion, integrity, excellence, freedom, and justice. Similar to the Clinical Counseling program, there is a low faculty to student ratio, which allows for significant academic and professional mentoring. Students graduating with the MFT MS degree from LLU may complete the Doctor of Marital and Family Therapy (DMFT Online) degree in 3 years following graduation with their master’s degree.
Drug and Alcohol Counseling Certificate
The Drug and Alcohol Counseling certificate program at Loma Linda University has graduated substance use/abuse treatment professionals for twenty years. The program has been continually refined to stay current with advancements in the field. Our alumni are drug and alcohol counselors working in outpatient and inpatient substance abuse treatment settings, for-profit and non-profit organizations, specialty private practices, and developers of their own substance abuse treatment programs. The program allows graduates to become certified in substance abuse treatment by select national organizations such as:
- NAADAC: the Master Addiction Counselor (MAC)
- CCAPP: the Licensed Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LAADC)
- AAHCPAD: the Certified Addiction Specialist (CAS)
Supervised Clinical Experience
In addition to courses, dual-degree candidates are required to complete supervised clinical practice during their program. Placements depend upon interests and specialization(s) chosen for the program. Options include, but are not limited to, the university's Behavioral Medicine Center (BMC), community agencies, American Indian reservations, and county behavioral health internships.
Students will be required to meet BBS and COAMFTE minimum clinical hour requirement for graduation.
| Degree |
Hours |
|---|
| MFT |
300 |
| LPCC |
420 |
Clinical hours overlap and can count for both degrees up to 420 hours. The Drug and Alcohol Counseling certificate requires 200 hours working with substance-related issues. The entire 200 hours may overlap with hours for either MS program.
At graduation, total student hours will range from 450-500, depending on population served while in clinical placement. Students will receive advisement related to clinical hours throughout the program.
