CSUSM Adds New Master's in Clinical Counseling Psychology

Cal State San Marcos has a new master’s degree program in clinical counseling psychology that has been approved by the CSU Chancellor’s Office to accept applications this fall.

The first cohort is set to start in fall 2026 with 25-30 students, said Aleksandria Perez Grabow, an assistant professor of psychological science.

The clinical counseling psychology program becomes the sixth master’s degree offered by the College of Humanities, Arts, Behavioral and Social Sciences, though it will be housed in Extended Learning.

The program was approved by the Chancellor’s Office and CSUSM’s Academic Senate this summer based on curriculum developed by a steering committee composed of Grabow and fellow assistant psychology professors Allison Jobin and Lisa Graves. The initial work toward establishing the program began more than a decade ago under the guidance of psychology professor Gerardo Gonzalez.

The clinical counseling degree is designed to address a significant shortage of qualified and diverse workers in the behavioral and mental health fields in San Diego and the surrounding regions. According to the San Diego Behavioral Health Workforce Report, the region needs almost 20,000 more professionals in the field over the next five years.

“This program will address critical needs in several areas, including for our students interested in becoming therapists and counselors, for our campus in offering a program that directly leads to a specific career, and for our community in supporting the shortage of mental health practitioners and training therapists in areas specific to our unique population here in San Diego and bordering counties.” Grabow said. “CSUSM has a wonderful social work program, and I think our students will welcome the option of attending another local, affordable graduate program and working in an applied field related to psychology.”

Media Contact

Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist
bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306