Program Overview

Introduction to the Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy

The Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy at Pacific Lutheran University is designed to train students to become systemically-oriented, contextually sensitive MFT professionals. The program aims to address the diverse needs and clinical concerns of individuals, couples, families, and communities.

Program Goals

The program has several key goals, including:

• Training students to be systemically-oriented MFT professionals
• Preparing students to be contextually sensitive MFT professionals committed to diversity and inclusion
• Ensuring students are ethical and effective MFT professionals in the community mental health context
• Helping students develop a personal epistemology grounded in couple and family therapy theories

Program Highlights

The program offers several unique features, including:

• The Couple and Family Therapy Center, where students train as therapists under faculty supervision
• Accreditation by COAMFTE, ensuring students meet requirements for licensure in Washington State
• Established partnerships with local community mental health agencies for practicum placements
• Small class sizes, allowing for close relationships among students and faculty
• A high pass rate on the national MFT exam for graduates

Program Schedule

The program typically lasts 24-27 months, with 48-50 semester credits required for completion. The schedule includes:

• Fall and Spring of the first year: Classes twice a week, with a focus on foundational courses
• Summer of the first year: Classes one to three times a week, with the option to begin practicum
• Fall and Spring of the second year: Classes one day a week, with continued practicum and theory courses
• Optional additional semester for practicum and theory courses

Program Cost

The total program tuition for the 2026 entering cohort is $54,960, or $1,145 per semester credit. Additional fees include a technology fee, wellness fee, matriculation fee, background check, and AAMFT membership fee.

Course Descriptions

The program includes a range of courses, such as:

• MFTH 500: Biopsychosocial Health and Development Across the Lifespan
• MFTH 503: Systems Approach to Marriage and Family Therapy
• MFTH 504: Contextual Foundations of Systemic Practice
• MFTH 505: Research Methods in Marriage and Family Therapy
• MFTH 507: Comparative Marriage and Family Therapy
• MFTH 510: Human Sexuality, Sex Therapy, and Couples Therapy
• MFTH 511: Systemic and Mental Health Assessment, Diagnosis, and Treatment
• MFTH 512: Professional Studies in Marriage and Family Therapy
• Practicum and theory courses (MFTH 519-527)

Frequently Asked Questions

• The average length of time to find employment post-graduation is typically a few months, with most graduates finding work within 2-6 months.
• PLU MFT graduates are employed in a variety of settings, including community agencies, mental health centers, private practices, and schools.
• The occupational outlook for marriage and family therapists is good, with a projected job growth rate of 23% from 2020 to 2030.
• Typically, 25 students are accepted into the program each year, with around 60-80 applicants.
• It is possible to have a job while completing the program, but it may be challenging to maintain a full-time job during the second year due to internship requirements.
• Life experience working with diverse populations is beneficial for success in the program.