Golden Gate University (GGU) Online MA in Counseling Psychology
Golden Gate University offers one online counseling psychology program: the master of arts in counseling psychology. The program is designed for students who want flexible training, practical clinical experience, and preparation for licensure in California and other states.
Across the program, GGU emphasizes a holistic approach to mental health, flexible course formats, and strong support for working adults. Students can study fully online or in a hybrid format, and the program is built to support both full-time and part-time enrollment. It also includes guided traineeship experience and a personal psychotherapy component that supports professional and personal growth.
The master of arts in counseling psychology prepares students for real-world clinical work through a mix of coursework, supervision, and hands-on experience. Important topics include lifespan development: theories and applications for therapists; cross-cultural aspects of psychology; group models of counseling; psychopathology; the neuroscience of counseling and psychopharmacology; substance use, co-occurring disorders, and addiction; and cognitive-behavioral and short-term models of counseling. Students also complete practicum and traineeship training, along with a course in legal and ethical responsibility for counselors.
The program also provides students with a strong foundation for a range of career paths in mental health. Graduates may pursue work as licensed marriage and family therapists, mental health specialists, clinical therapists, substance abuse therapists, school counselors, research coordinators, clinical supervisors, or private practice counselors. The program also supports students interested in trauma-informed care, EMDR therapy, and work with children, families, or LGBTQ plus communities.
Admission requirements include a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution or the equivalent from a recognized foreign institution, official transcripts, a statement of purpose, and a resume. Applicants with a GPA below 3.0 must address their academic history in the statement of purpose. Students whose native language is not English must also meet English language proficiency requirements.
Golden Gate University is a private university in San Francisco, California. It is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), which has held that accreditation since 1959.
MA – Counseling Psychology
536 Mission StSan Francisco, California
Program Essentials
Master's Degree
Counseling Psychology
Yes
0 – No campus visits required
60
Fall, Spring, Summer
Can be completed in as few as 2.5 years
Program Admissions
No GRE required
3.0
AL, AR, DC, DE, GA, KS, MD, MN, NC, NJ, NM, OR, WI
Program Tuition
60
$1,090.00
$65,400.00
$1,090.00
$65,400.00
Tuition is calculated based on credits, at the published tuition rate. Rates may change, so please check here for the latest tuition information. For programs with variable tuition rates, we use the rates for part-time students. “Resident” and “non-resident” refer to the student’s school-recognized state residency status. Tuition number represents the cost of tuition for the entire program, not per semester or year. Estimated total tuition does not include additional fees.
Farheen Gani
WriterFarheen Gani has researched degree programs and salaries in counseling since 2020. She has written about topics such as genetic counselor salaries and family and human development bachelor’s degrees. She writes about healthcare, technology, education, and marketing. Her work has appeared on websites such as Tech in Asia and Foundr, as well as top SaaS blogs such as Zapier and InVision. You can connect with her on LinkedIn.