About Palo Alto University's Graduate Program
Palo Alto University is located in Palo Alto, California (and online). The program runs 2-3 years in length, with online or hybrid options available, and holds WASC accreditation.
- Psychology-focused graduate university with clinical counseling MAs fully online or hybrid
- LPCC emphasis (CACREP-aligned) and MFT emphasis both lead to California BBS licensure
- Strong research and evidence-based practice orientation inherited from PAU's PhD programs
Programs offered (leading to California BBS licensure)
- MA in Counseling (LPCC emphasis) (MA) — leads to LPCC licensure
- MA in Counseling (MFT emphasis) (MA) — leads to LMFT licensure
What Changes After You Graduate from PAU
Graduation is the structural pivot in every California clinician's pre-license journey. During your degree at PAU, your program handled the tracking side of things — faculty field liaisons approved placements, your school picked the platform, and everything was shaped by the academic calendar. Once your degree is conferred and you register as an associate, that changes. The rules, the categories, the forms, and the timeline are now set by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS).
From the day your BBS associate registration is issued, you are now:
- Accumulating hours under BBS Column A (direct), B (non-clinical), and C (weekly total) rules.
- Subject to the 40-hour weekly cap across every site combined.
- Counting supervised weeks toward a 104-week minimum (52 individual).
- Responsible for generating BBS Form 37A-525 and 37A-301 at application time.
- Free to pick your own supervisor and sites, subject to BBS qualification rules.
Before your final weeks as a student: make sure you have your own copy of your signed program timesheets saved somewhere you control (local drive plus cloud). Your pre-degree hours can count toward the BBS 3,000 — but only if you can document them. Our Tevera export guide walks through the export step-by-step for programs that use Tevera.
Your BBS Licensure Path: LPCC and LMFT
PAU graduates typically pursue LPCC or LMFT licensure in California. The core structure is the same across all BBS pathways: 3,000 supervised hours, A/B/C categorization, 40-hour weekly cap, 104 supervised weeks, and BBS-specific forms. Sub-requirements (like the LMFT's 500-hour A1 couples/families/children minimum) differ by license.
For a full walkthrough of your specific pathway, see How to Track LPCC Hours in California or, if you're pursuing the other track, see How to Track LMFT Supervised Hours in California.
HourJourney for PAU Graduates
HourJourney is built for the California associate phase — the exact phase PAU graduates enter after commencement. Every BBS requirement is baked in: A/B/C categorization with auto-calculated Column C, the 40-hour weekly cap across every site, pre-degree / post-degree classification based on your degree awarded date, 104-week and 52-week supervision tracking, and one-click BBS PDF form generation.
$4.95/month (or $49/year — save 17%) for pre-degree trainees, $7.95/month (or $79/year) once you register as an associate. 30-day free trial.
Built for the PAU-to-licensure journey
Track every BBS-countable hour from your first associate week through your licensure application.
Start Your Free 30-Day TrialFAQ: PAU Graduates & BBS Licensure
What is the California BBS licensure pathway for PAU graduates?+
PAU graduates typically pursue LPCC or LMFT licensure through the California BBS. That starts with associate registration (APCC, AMFT) and accumulating 3,000 supervised hours in BBS A/B/C format, enforcing a 40-hour weekly cap, and reaching at least 104 supervised weeks.
How long does the post-graduation licensure phase take for a PAU grad?+
Typically 3 to 6 years. Full-time associates working 40-hour weeks reach 3,000 hours in roughly 3 years. Part-time paths take longer. The 104-week supervision minimum (52 individual) often becomes the pacing constraint.
Do my PAU practicum hours count toward my BBS license?+
Yes, within limits. Up to 1,300 pre-degree hours (up to 750 direct) can count toward the BBS 3,000-hour requirement. Those hours must be documented on BBS Form 37A-525 and signed by a BBS-qualified supervisor. Keep signed timesheets from your program as supporting evidence.
What tool should I use to track hours as a PAU associate?+
A BBS-compliant tracker that enforces A/B/C categorization, the 40-hour weekly cap across every site, pre-degree / post-degree classification, and generates BBS Forms 37A-525 and 37A-301. HourJourney is purpose-built for this phase; Track Your Hours and spreadsheets are alternatives.
When should I register as an associate?+
Immediately after your degree is conferred. You cannot accrue BBS-countable post-degree hours until your AMFT, APCC, or ASW number is issued. Apply through the California BBS at bbs.ca.gov.
Related guides
Hours Tracking After Graduation (California)
The cornerstone post-grad guide covering BBS forms, hour categories, and setting up your system.
Preserving Your Tevera Hours for BBS Licensure
Step-by-step Tevera export plus a Tevera-to-BBS category mapping table.
Hours Tracking for California Associates
The BBS-compliant tracker built for the California associate phase.
How to Track LPCC Hours in California
Walk through the specific LPCC pathway step by step.
Palo Alto University is referenced here for informational purposes. HourJourney is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Palo Alto University. BBS requirements reflect guidance current as of 2025–2026. Always verify at bbs.ca.gov. This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. Last verified: 2026-04-23.