Program Format

This is a blended program, which means that students take two classes “live”, and one class “on-line”. Students take three classes a quarter but only have to attend course sessions two evenings a week. This allows students to work full time job during the day and study in the evenings.

Palo Alto University is on the Quarter unit system and follows a 11 week academic calendar each Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer. Classes will meet once a week for 11 class contacts per quarter. The Fall quarter begins in September and ends in December. The Winter quarter begins in January and ends in March. The Spring Quarter begins in March and ends in June. Summer courses and intensives are offered regularly as well.

Other training components include State of California required workshops which will be scheduled as needed throughout the year. All students are required to complete a traineeship, a 9 month supervised clinical placement, Students are also required to have 150 state required client contact hours at practicum sites

Palo Alto University’s program is currently 72 quarter units.  Starting in the Fall of 2012 the BBS will require all programs to have the equivalent of 90 quarter unit. The next January 2012 cohort start is one of the last opportunities to enter into the 72 quarter unit program and save 18 units to include the time and expense involved.

The M.A. in Counseling program uses a cohort system in which all entering students are grouped together and given nearly the same schedule of courses for the entire program. The advantage of this system is the support and openness it creates. The cohort becomes a valuable resource for learning and support.