Online & In Person

Choose Your Learning Environment

Are you ready to get your Master’s degree in counseling without uprooting your life? Palo Alto University’s on-campus and online course options give you the flexibility you need while working or raising a family.

You will benefit from the latest academic research and clinical approaches, while tailoring your experience to your culture and community – all in a program format that fits your busy life.

Our hybrid format includes a campus setting for most classes, while other courses are conducted online, via Zoom. You will typically take two courses on campus and one course online each quarter. All skill-based clinical work is done in an appropriate clinical or classroom setting. And with the time savings from your online classes, you will be able to take three classes per quarter – and that means earning your degree in just nine quarters.

Staying local while participating in a distance learning (online) master’s degree program gives students the best of both worlds. Palo Alto University offers students a multicultural focus that emphasizes culture, social justice, and families that students experience in weekly live virtual remote classes. Students benefit from the latest academic research and clinical approaches while tailoring their experience to the culture and community in which they live and practice, all in a program format that fits into their busy lives.

Cohort Model

PAU’s on-campus format uses a cohort system. You will be assigned to a group of students who will have the same schedule and sequence of courses for their entire program. You will be enrolled continuously and to complete your degree on schedule with their cohort.

Why cohorts? Support and openness – you will study together, encouraging and assisting others when needed. You will also develop the familiarity and trust to discuss tough issues and personal experiences.

Campus Locations

Our two campuses are located in Palo Alto, California and Mtn. View, California.

Class Times

The hybrid program is offered weekday evenings. Classes take place Monday-Thursday evenings from 4-6 pm or 6-8 pm, depending on cohort. Courses are held on the PAU campuses or or live via Zoom.

Fall Enrollment: Starts September, 9 quarters to graduate.
Spring Enrollment: Starts in late March or early April, 9 quarters to graduate.

Course Sequence

View and download the specific course sequence for your on-campus program. You will receive your official degree plan for your cohort prior to beginning the program.

Learn More about our Curriculum Here

When you enroll in PAU’s distance learning courses, you will attend all classes online in a live Zoom classroom.

In addition, you will attend two residential training experiences at the PAU campus locations. These residencies provide an opportunity to meet professors and classmates face-to-face, and to work on clinical skills development.

Residential Training

When you enroll in the online option, you will complete your practicum and master's-level internship locally, in your home community.

You will meet your professors and classmates in person during two residential training experiences. These intensive study and competency-based skill training seminars culminate in a clinical interviewing assessment that is a prerequisite for clinical fieldwork.

NOTE: Online students must be located in a state in which we are authorized to provide online education.

Review State Authorizations

Class Times

Online classes take place at 6 pm Pacific time. If you start the program in the fall quarter, you may have the option to take classes at 4 pm.

Fall Enrollment: Starts September, 9 or 11 quarters to graduate.
Spring Enrollment: Starts in late March or early April, 9 quarters to graduate.

Course Sequence

View and download the specific course sequence for the quarter in which students can start the online program. Students receive their official degree plan for their cohort prior to beginning the program.

Palo Alto University Catalog for Course Descriptions

Field Placements in the Home Region Help Establish Students in Their Communities

Palo Alto University assists students in finding suitable practicum/internship placements in their communities.
Students receive ongoing support throughout the practicum/internship experience.
Supervision takes place at the student’s field placement site and from Palo Alto University faculty online.
Palo Alto University assists students in finding suitable practicum/internship placements in their communities.
Students receive ongoing support throughout the practicum/internship experience.
Supervision takes place at the student’s field placement site and from Palo Alto University faculty online.

Orientation

Students can begin the program two times per year: Fall (September) or Spring (April). Each start term, an orientation is held for incoming students. This orientation is required so that students can learn the foundations of the program before classes begin

Zoom Virtual Classrooms Support Online Learning Experiences

Palo Alto University utilizes the Zoom videoconference platform for weekly live virtual remote classes for all online courses. Classes include real-time lecture, discussion and clinical skills training enabled by videoconference technology. Online classes give students the opportunity to interact with a diverse student body and learn clinical skills through real-time interaction with instructors.

Admission FAQ's.