Detailed Information
Programs of Study
Argosy University, Orange County, offers the Master of Arts (M.A.) degree in clinical psychology/marriage and family therapy, counseling psychology/marriage and family therapy, forensic psychology, and sport-exercise psychology; the Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) degree in counseling psychology and organizational leadership; and the Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) degree in clinical psychology. Students completing a program may wish to become licensed professionals. Argosy University, Orange County does not guarantee third-party certification/licensure. Outside agencies control the requirements for taking and passing certification/licensing exams and are subject to change without notice to Argosy University, Orange County.
The M.A. in Clinical Psychology/Marriage and Family Therapy program is designed for students who wish to pursue the clinical psychology track while receiving graduate-level training in the core curricular areas, including supervised clinical practice, required for licensure as a marriage and family therapist in California. Licensing requirements differ from state to state, so students should verify the current licensing requirements of the state in which they plan to become licensed. The program emphasizes a practitioner-oriented philosophy, and integrates applied theory and field experience.
The M.A. in Counseling Psychology/Marriage and Family Therapy program is designed to prepare students to practice and pursue licensure in California as Marriage and Family Therapists (MFT). Students receive an educational program with all the necessary theoretical and practical elements that will allow them to be effective members of a mental health team. The program introduces students to skills that integrate individual and group theoretical foundations of counseling psychology into appropriate client interaction and intervention skills.
The M.A. in Forensic Psychology program is designed to educate and train individuals who are currently working, or wish to work, in fields that utilize the study and practice of forensic psychology. Curriculum provides for an understanding of theory, training, and practice of forensic psychology. It emphasizes the development of students who are committed to the ethical provision of quality services to diverse clients and organizations. The program maintains policies and delivery formats suitable for working adults. The program provides course work in forensic psychology for application to law enforcement, legal and organizational consultation, and program analysis.
The M.A. in Sport-Exercise Psychology program is designed to educate and train capable and ethical performance-enhancement specialists. This two-year degree is intended to meet the needs of students seeking employment in a variety of settings, including private practice, athletic departments, coaching, exercise/health, and education, as well as those planning to ultimately pursue their doctorate. The program provides a thorough grounding in both theory and practice. Based on the educational requirements outlined by the Association for the Advancement of Applied Sport Psychology (AAASP), the curriculum provides a foundation in applied sport psychology, an understanding of normal and abnormal psychological functioning, and a knowledge base in the physiological, motor, and psychosocial aspects of sport behavior. A supervised practicum provides experience in working directly with athletes or performers in applied settings.
The Ed.D. in Counseling Psychology program embraces a range of relevant theory and techniques applicable in the three major areas of counseling psychology: (a) the remedial (assisting in remedying problems in living); (b) the preventive (anticipating, circumventing, and forestalling difficulties that may arise in the future); and (c) the educative and developmental (discovering and developing potentialities). That is (a) the focus is on normal individuals, and developmental life stages challenges; (b) a focus on assets, strengths, and positive mental health; (c) an emphasis on relatively brief interventions; and (d) an emphasis on context, sociocultural/political influences, diversity, and person-environment interactions rather than exclusive emphasis on the individual.
The Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership program is designed to meet the special requirements of working professionals who wish to develop their knowledge and skills to handle the changing needs of modern organizations. The program is designed to enable working professionals to pursue their personal and professional goals through the completion of a graduate program. It focuses on the qualities of transformational leadership, not just managerial attributes. This approach enables the faculty members to dedicate themselves to preparing students to lead complex organizations faced with an abundance of strategic challenges, such as increasing globalization, changing economies, societal shifts, and individual-organizational relationships. It is the premise of the program that leaders prepared in this manner can be visionaries and innovators, leading viable organizations capable of meeting the challenges of the future.
The Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology program is designed to educate and train students so that they may eventually be able to function effectively as clinical psychologists. To ensure that students are prepared adequately, the curriculum provides for the meaningful integration of theory, training, and practice. This program emphasizes the development of attitudes, knowledge, and skills essential in the formation of professional psychologists who are committed to the ethical provision of quality services.
Research Facilities
Argosy University libraries provide curriculum support and educational resources, including current text materials, diagnostic training documents, reference materials and databases, journals and dissertations, and major and current titles in program areas. There is an online public-access catalog of library resources available throughout the Argosy University system. Students have remote access to the campus library database, enabling them to study and conduct research at home. Academic databases offer dissertation abstracts, academic journals, and professional periodicals. All library computers are Internet accessible. Software applications include Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SPSS, and various test-scoring programs.
Financial Aid
Financial aid is available to those who qualify. Argosy University, Orange County, offers access to federal and state aid programs, merit-based awards, grants, loans, and a work-study program. As a first step, students should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Prospective students can apply electronically at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov or at the campus.
Cost of Study
Tuition varies by program. Students should contact Argosy University, Orange County, for tuition information.
Living and Housing Costs
Students typically live in apartments in the Santa Ana metropolitan area. Living expenses vary according to each student’s preferred standard of living, housing, and transportation. The University does not offer or operate student housing. Most Argosy University students are full-time working professionals who live within driving distance of the campus. Several nearby hotels offer special rates for those who commute from long distances. The Admissions Department also maintains a list of housing options, including contact information for University students who wish to share housing. For more information, students should contact the Admissions Department.
Student Group
Admission to Argosy University, Orange County, is selective to ensure a dynamic and engaged student body. The University encourages diversity in academic and employment backgrounds and promotes integration of the student body into professional life through established connections with local and national professional associations. Argosy University offers a professionally oriented education with rich opportunities to gain practical experience in class, field placements, and internships. Full-time students and working professionals gain the extensive knowledge and range of skills necessary for effective performance in their chosen field.
Student Outcomes
Students can register with Argosy University’s online career-services system and use select services from a distance, such as degree-specific career e-mail lists, national job posts, and virtual job fairs. Students should contact the University for more information.
Location
Argosy University, Orange County, attracts students from Southern California as well as around the country and the world. Orange County features a temperate climate, sunny beaches, and a host of cultural and entertainment options. The campus is located approximately 30 miles south of downtown Los Angeles, 90 miles north of San Diego, and just minutes from one of the many freeways that connect the Southern California basin. Regional parks and preserved lands provide opportunities for hiking, biking, riding, and other recreational activities. Whether it’s ultra-chic Newport Beach, artsy Laguna Beach, or unspoiled Catalina Island, Orange County’s oceanside personalities are as varied as the people who visit the area.
Orange County’s business environment includes a broad array of companies. The area’s largest employers include Ingram Micro Inc., Orange County Register, ITT Industries, and OneSource.
The University
Argosy University is a private institution with nineteen locations across the nation. Argosy University, Orange County, provides a career resources office, an academic resources center, and extensive information access for research. It offers the resources of a large university plus the friendliness and personal attention of a small campus. The innovative programs feature dynamic, relevant, and practical curricula delivered in flexible class formats. Students enjoy scheduling options that make it easier to fit school into their busy lives, choosing from day and evening courses, on campus or online. Many students find a combination of class formats to be an ideal way of continuing their education while meeting family and professional demands.
Argosy University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association (30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2400, Chicago, Illinois 60602; 800-621-7440 (toll-free); http://www.ncahlc.org).
Applying
Argosy University, Orange County, accepts students year-round on a rolling admissions basis, depending on availability of required courses. Applications for admission are available online or by contacting the campus.
The Faculty
- The Argosy University faculty is comprised of working professionals who are eager to help students succeed. Members bring real-world experience and the latest practice innovations to the academic setting. The diverse faculty members of the College of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences are widely recognized for contributions to the field. Many are published scholars, and most hold doctoral degrees. They are committed to providing a substantive education that combines comprehensive knowledge with critical skills and practical workplace relevance. Above all, faculty members are committed to their students’ personal and professional development.
Correspondence and Information
Argosy University, Orange County
601 South Lewis Street
Orange, California 92868
Telephone:
714-620-3700
800-716-9598 (toll-free)
Fax:
714-620-3800
Email:
auadmissions@argosy.edu
