Return to: Academic Programs Offered at Pacific Oaks College

Program Overview

The School of Cultural & Family Psychology’s Master of Arts in Cultural & Family Studies (MA CFS) is a 31-unit non-clinical MA degree which was specifically designed for people who are looking to gain a MA degree to enhance their career, to assist with promotions, and a stronger educational base in Cultural & Family Studies.  This MA degree will offer a broad understanding of psychology, along with a concentration in children and families and their cultural dynamics.  This degree focuses on the optimal development of individuals and families across the lifespan and in multiple contexts.  This degree will give graduates the educational preparation for a variety of jobs in human & social service agencies, day care facilities, religious institutions or parent education programs.  It will include a Capstone Project* for its final class. It is important to note that the 31-unit Master of Arts in Cultural and Family Studies is NOT a clinical degree, and will not meet the educational requirements for CA BBS to apply for a license in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) or Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC).

This degree also offers an alternative for current School of Cultural & Family Psychology MFT students (enrolled in any of the program specializations), after beginning their MFT Program, whom: (1) Find they are not a good fit for the clinical practice dimension of the profession and therefore would pursue non-licensed administrative and/or educational positions. This reflects redirecting students to a more appropriate career option and not rejecting them as a student; (2) or whose life circumstances prevent them from engaging in supervised clinical work; (3) or is by recommendation of the SCFP Department, based on First Year Review (4) and/or have been dismissed from their Clinical Training Placement site; (5) and/or have not demonstrated appropriate growth, development or adherence to the MA in MFT Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs).

Continuing student transfer into the program is at the discretion of the Associate Dean of SCFP.  New student acceptance into the program will require an interview with department faculty, Letters of Recommendations, and Essay (with a specific essay prompt regarding how they will use this degree), along with all other POC Admissions requirements.  All students will sign an Acknowledgement stating that they understand this program will NOT meet California Board of Behavioral Sciences educational requirements for MFTs or LPCCs.  Additional details about the 31-unit master’s program may be found in the Academic Catalog and the Pacific Oaks College SCFP Student Handbook. 

Cultural & Family Studies Program Learning Outcomes

PLO 1:  Demonstrate effective oral and written communication

PLO 2:  Examine cultural and diversity issues within the field of psychology and family studies

PLO 3:  Identify and apply current research methods

PLO 4:  Develop understanding of the principles and theories of human and family development, including their effects upon individuals, couples and family relationships

PLO 5:  Develop familiarity with cross-cultural mores and values

PLO 6:  Students will be able to use critical and creative thinking, skeptical inquiry, and a scientific approach to address issues related to behavior and mental processes.

PLO 7:  Students will be able to apply psychological principles to individual, interpersonal, group, and societal issues.

CFS Capstone Project Requirements

This course is designed to guide students through a review of the content domains covered along the degree path of the Master of Arts in Cultural & Family degree. It affords an opportunity to synthesize and articulate knowledge obtained during degree progression via the selection of multiple threads of inquiry and analysis of peer-reviewed, scholarly literature related to successfully completed coursework. The course requires informed library research and concise exposition. This course is a capstone experience, in which students identify a research topic, conduct literature reviews, and then develop a substantial written Research Paper, Needs Assessment, Critical Literature Review, an original, applied evaluation project, or an original grant proposal.

1. Select a topic of relevance to their psychology area, drawing on different theories, perspectives and past research studies and methods
2. Review and critically evaluate published research in psychology and related disciplines.
3. Write a comprehensive review of literature on a topic in psychology or a related discipline
4. Write a journal length manuscript, appropriate for submission to a professional journal in psychology or a related discipline. This manuscript will be one of the following: 1) an original, small empirical research project; 2) a comprehensive literature review; 3) an original, small applied evaluation project; or 4) an original grant proposal.

Program Specific Requirements

The MA CFS program is a 31-credit graduate program, comprised of courses in the MFT program and has a Cultural & Family Studies Capstone Project.  This is a year-round program, including enrollment in summer.  On-ground attendance includes fall and spring 16-week semesters and a 12-week summer semester.  A full-time student taking three courses per semester will finish in five semesters. A part-time student taking two courses will complete the program in six semesters.  It is important to note that the 31-unit Master of Arts in Cultural and Family Studies is NOT a clinical degree, and will not meet the educational requirements for CA BBS to apply for a license in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) or Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC)