Program Overview
Marriage and Family Therapy (MS) Program
The MS in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) specialization prepares students for careers as licensed marriage and family therapists. The primary mission of the MFT program is to prepare masters students to become multiculturally competent professionals in the specialty of marriage and family therapy.
Program Overview
Principles of diversity and multiculturalism are infused throughout the curriculum to meet the psychological needs of families, couples, and children in a changing and multicultural society. The MFT curriculum combines theoretical training with practical experiences to prepare students for professional counseling careers, emphasizing the best practices of the Recovery Model. In addition to the Recovery Model, students receive exposure to a range of theoretical orientations that reflect a systems perspective.
Admission Requirements
- Completed PSYCAS application
- A bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution
- Final official transcripts for all prior coursework
- Minimum overall undergraduate GPA of 3.0
- Prerequisite courses (minimum C-/credit grade): Introduction to Psychology, and Abnormal Psychology
- Statement of purpose
- Curriculum Vitae or resume
- Three letters of recommendation
- International students must submit proof of proficiency in the English language via a satisfactory total TOEFL or Duolingo score
Program Length and Structure
The program is designed to be completed in 3 years on a full-time basis. The MFT program chair is Jerry L. Kernes.
Degree Requirements
The program requires 62 semester hours of coursework, including:
- MFT 500: Counseling Theories & Skills I (3 semester hours)
- MFT 501: Counseling Theories & Skills II (3 semester hours)
- MFT 502: Professionalism, Ethics, and Law in Counseling (3 semester hours)
- MFT 503: Human Development (3 semester hours)
- MFT 504: Multicultural Counseling and Competency (3 semester hours)
- MFT 505: Diagnosis of Mental Health Disorders (3 semester hours)
- MFT 506: Community Mental Health & Systems of Care (3 semester hours)
- MFT 507: Research and Evaluation Methods for Mental Health professionals (3 semester hours)
- MFT 509: Psychopharmacology (3 semester hours)
- MFT 510: Family Therapy (3 semester hours)
- MFT 511: Couples Therapy (3 semester hours)
- MFT 512: Violence and Abuse in Family Systems (3 semester hours)
- MFT 513: Group Therapy & Counseling (3 semester hours)
- MFT 514: Substance Abuse Counseling (3 semester hours)
- MFT 515: Psychological Assessment & Testing (3 semester hours)
- MFT 516: Child and Adolescent Therapy (3 semester hours)
- MFT 517: Trauma Response & Counseling (3 semester hours)
- MFT 520: Practicum I (3 semester hours)
- MFT 521: Practicum II (3 semester hours)
- MFT 522: Aging & Long-Term Care (1 semester hour)
- MFT 523: Career Development Theories (3 semester hours)
- MFT 524: Human Sexuality (1 semester hour)
- MFT 525: Practicum Continuation (0 semester hours)
Grading Policies
The MFT program uses the following grades in evaluation of students' performance: A, A-, B+, B, B-, and F, or CRD, NCR. The minimal passing grade for all letter grade courses is B-. The minimal passing grade for all CRD/NCR (Credit/No Credit) courses is "CRD."
Time Limitation
All requirements for the master's degree are to be completed within five years from the time of first course registration post admission for the MFT program at the University of La Verne.
Required Completion of Direct Client Contact Hours
Aligned with BBS standards, the program requires completion of a minimum of 280 direct client contact hours, completed while taking the required Practicum I and Practicum II classes.
Professional Liability Insurance
Students are expected to purchase their own professional liability insurance while they are enrolled in Practicum classes.
Personal Psychotherapy
All students enrolled in the MFT program are required to complete a minimum of 10 hours of personal psychotherapy during their year of Practicum.
Advanced Standing
Students must receive Advanced Standing to enroll in Practicum and apply for graduation. Practicum is the culminating activity for the MFT program. Students are eligible to apply for Advanced Standing when they have completed (or are currently enrolled in) 43 semester hours, are currently in good standing, and attain a minimum graduate GPA of 3.0.
Transfer Credit for Previous Graduate Work
Students requesting transfer credit for previous graduate work must submit official transcripts and copies of relevant syllabi to the PC/DCT for formal review by November 1st of their first semester in the program.
Leave of Absence
Students are expected to participate in their coursework each semester until degree completion. Students who find it necessary to interrupt their studies and desire to return to the MFT program should contact the Program Chair to request a Leave of Absence. With a Leave of Absence, a student may be absent from the University of La Verne for no more than two semesters without reapplying for admission.