Why Cal Lutheran?

Cal Lutheran's MS in Clinical Psychology program offers a collaborative, research-focused environment where you can gain clinical expertise and mentorship. Our flexible, top-ranked program combines rigorous scientific training with a diverse curriculum, preparing you for success in doctoral studies and leadership within the mental health field.

Collaboration and Mentorship

• Train alongside and in collaboration with doctoral students at Cal Lu which is ideal preparation for doctoral program applications. 
• Learn a diversity of theoretical models including attachment-psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, dialectical behavior therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and family systems theory from expert faculty across three graduate programs. 
• Collaborate with core psychology faculty who are global leaders in the field of clinical research and scholarship.
• Attend national and international conferences with faculty mentors and peers.
• Join a diversity of strong students from all over the U.S. and abroad that respect and welcome diverse opinions and interests. 
• Enjoy a collaborative, non-competitive environment with faculty and staff who are easily accessible.

Research

• Develop competence in research and scholarship that goes beyond generalist training and is typical of the first two years of doctoral coursework. 
• Develop student initiated research ideas with faculty mentorship for the Master’s thesis and other independent projects.
• Students of all capabilities are trained in the R programming language and instructed in the basics of statistical programming, data management, data visualization, data modeling.
• Scientific values of openness, collaboration, and reproducibility are encouraged through coursework and the use of the the latest technology in conducting research.
• Faculty actively involved in publishing and presenting with many opportunities to join faculty research programs to present and publish with them.
• Funding available to student presenters to assist with conference travel.

Clinical Expertise and Training

• Advanced clinical training from expert faculty provides Cal Lu students with practical skills in assessment, diagnosis, and clinical interventions that reflect the latest advances in clinical psychology.
• Cal Lu's on-campus community counseling center provides MS Clinical students with the opportunity for conducting applied clinical research, program evaluation, and administrative training. 

Classes and Curriculum

• Very small entering class sizes that allow for personal contact and discussion with professors and opportunities to develop close relationships with classmates and colleagues.
• Thesis and Research project option  to apply your new skills towards an area of importance to the student.
• Evening classes allow for flexible scheduling during the day.
• Two-year full time program or three-year part-time program.
• Choose courses reflecting quantitative or clinical areas of study including electives in meta-analysis, attachment-theory, dialectical behavior therapy, suicide assessment and risk management, child and adolesent therapy, structural equation models, among others. 

MS Clinical Graduates Succeed

• Graduates may choose to further their education by completing a doctorate in psychology, public health, or related fields, or pursue additional Master’s degrees in areas such as business or mental health.
• Program graduates are working in clinical psychology, business, marketing, administration, and health services.

California Lutheran University

• Cal Lutheran campus is a lively and energetic community with 22 NCAA Division III althetic teams and over 80 clubs and organization for students to join!
• Program benefits from the resources and support of the full university including a fitness center, olympic swimming pool, computer support, and academic support services.
• Welcoming of diversity of all types: age, dis(ability) status, ethnicity, gender, gender identity and expression, language, nationality, political view, race, religion sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, and spirituality.
• Private, not for profit university
• WASC accredited

Did you know?

Cal Lutheran is ranked as a Top 10 Best Value School among Regional Universities in the West.

U.S. News & World Report, 2025

Resources

• Updated technology and computer labs with extensive online and physical library resources
• Student Council actively involved in program development, professional development, community service, and providing programmatic feedback to the Director of the M.S. Clinical Program and Dean
• Library access to 1,045 full-text online journals, 3,162 physical volumes, 14,349 full-text e-books, and 8,610 online videos for both students and faculty, all on psychology and psychology-related topics including interlibrary loan that is easily accessible from computers on and off campus.

Ventura County

• Thousand Oaks is located in Ventura County between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, CA.
• In 2025-2026, Thousand Oaks was ranked as 23rd in places to live in California by U.S. News and World Report as a premier, safe and desirable place to live in California.
• Biking, hiking, running, swimming, surfing, and farmers’ markets — all possible during study breaks or days off!
• In August 2015, Ventura County was ranked in the Washington Post as the most desirable county to live in America. This ranking was based upon natural amenities, such as mild, sunny winters, temperate summers, low humidity, topographic variation, and access to a body of water.