Marriage and Family Therapy (MS)

Program Length Full-Time: 3 Years

MFT Program Chair: Jerry L. Kernes

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. 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. In California, completion of this program fulfills the academic requirements of the Board of Behavioral Science (BBS) for licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). The program has submitted for review of its curriculum by the Board of Behavioral Science (BBS) to determine if it meets the academic requirements for licensure as a professional counselor (LPCC). The program has not confirmed whether it meets other states' licensure and certification requirements. Students pursuing licensure in other states are responsible for verifying compliance with their respective state's regulations.

Statement on Diversity and Nondiscrimination

The MFT program embraces diversity within its various forms. The MFT program welcomes students, faculty, and staff from diverse ethnic, cultural, religious, sexual orientation, age, and ability backgrounds. The program is committed to creating and maintaining a positive educational experience and affirmation of all aspects of human diversity.

The MFT program is committed to providing equal access and opportunity for all members of the University community in a safe and non-discriminatory learning, living, and working environment. In accordance with the requirements and prohibitions of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (“Title IX”), Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and other federal and California laws, the program (and University) does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ethnic origin, ancestry, citizenship, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender (including gender identity and expression), marital status, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic characteristics, military and veteran status, or any other characteristic or status protected by applicable law as to the admission or enrollment of any student, or its educational programs and activities; the employment of any member of the faculty or staff; the selection and treatment of volunteers or unpaid interns; or to the election of any officer or trustee of the University.

Program Goals and Student Learning Outcomes

Goal 1: The program will produce marriage and family therapists who operate from best practices to serve the population with specific skills to address the mental health needs of Californians.

Goal 2:  The program will train students to apply theory and research to their training and practice as marriage and family therapists.

Goal 3: The program will promote an awareness of cultural and diversity issues in the profession of marriage and family therapy.

Admission Requirements (Fall 2025 and Forward)

The graduate psychology programs participate in a Centralized Application Service (PSYCAS). Applications are accepted beginning in September each year. All applicants must have their applications completed by February 1st for consideration of Fall admission.

1. Completed PSYCAS application.
2. A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution. Applicants are required to submit final official transcripts for all prior coursework.
3. A minimum overall undergraduate GPA of 3.0 is required.
4. Prerequisite courses (minimum C-/credit grade): Introduction to Psychology, and Abnormal Psychology.
5. Statement of purpose.
6. Curriculum Vitae or resume.
7. Three letters of recommendation.
8. International students must submit proof of proficiency in the English language via a satisfactory total TOEFL or Duolingo score. The minimum required TOEFL total score for the 3 versions of the TOEFL are as follows: 600 (paper-based version), 250 (computer- based version), and 100 (internet-based version). Duolingo English Test score of 120 or higher.

Following receipt and review of application materials by the MFT Admissions Committee, applicants who are being considered for admission will receive an invitation for an interview. Applicants will interview in February and March. Applicants will receive notification of their admission status in April and admitted students must respond no later than May 15.  Only admitted students may enroll in MFT courses.

Prior to enrolling in the fall, admitted students must provide an official transcript indicating the completion of their undergraduate degree and required prerequisites. Simultaneous enrollment of prerequisites and MFT courses is not permitted. Applicants who fail to complete all required prerequisites before the start of the Fall semester are not allowed to register for their courses.

Professionalism

MFT students’ professional conduct and attitude should reflect an understanding of professional ethics codes, such as those set forth by the American Association for Marriage and Family therapy (AAMFT) and the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT). The MFT program is a professional training program and as a result, students are expected to consistently demonstrate professional behavior.

This includes but is not limited to:

•  Being on time: to class and with assignments
•  Respectful interactions with students and faculty
•  Proactive engagement in the learning process and assignments
•  Being organized and prepared
•  Managing paperwork and technology effectively
•  Managing personal information (own and others’) appropriately

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.” A final grade lower than a B- in a letter grade course or “NCR” in a CRD/NCR course is evaluated as failing the course and the course must be retaken for course credit to be obtained. MFT students may retake a course for credit only once. Any student failing any course in the program twice will be dismissed from the program.

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. Appeals for extension of time limitations must be made in writing to the Graduate Appeals Committee.

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

Students entering the counseling profession benefit professionally, personally, and academically from experiencing personal psychotherapy. Psychotherapy is a necessary training experience for counseling professionals. Therefore, all students enrolled in the MFT program are required to complete a minimum of 10 hours of personal psychotherapy during their year of Practicum. The therapy may include individual, couples, family, or group therapy, depending on the individual student’s issues and preferences. The program will not request any information about the content of the personal psychotherapy process.

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. To apply for Advanced Standing, students must submit an application for Advanced Standing,  along with an Application for Graduation (with receipt of graduation fee) to their Academic Advisor/Program Chair. Approval for Advanced Standing can take 2-3 weeks to complete.

Transfer Credit for Previous Graduate Work

Students who completed previous graduate work may request transfer credit for this work during their first semester in the program only. Request for transfer of academic credit and coursework will be reviewed by the MFT Program Chair on a case-by-case basis for currency and applicability. Only completed courses from a regionally accredited university, with a grade of B (3.0) or better may be considered for transfer. The maximum number of transfer credits is 12 semester hours.

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. Students absent during a Fall or Spring semester without an approved Leave of Absence will be considered withdrawn from the program.

Degree Requirements

62 semester hours

Course List

Code	Title	Semester Hours
MFT 500	Counseling Theories & Skills I	3
MFT 501	Counseling Theories & Skills I	3
MFT 502	Professionalism, Ethics, and Law in Counseling	3
MFT 503	Human Development	3
MFT 504	Multicultural Counseling and Competency	3
MFT 505	Diagnosis of Mental Health Disorders	3
MFT 506	Community Mental Health & Systems of Care	3
MFT 507	Research and Evaluation Methods for Mental Health professionals	3
MFT 509	Psychopharmacology	3
MFT 510 Family Therapy		3
MFT 511 Couples Therapy		3
MFT 512 Violence and Abuse in Family Systems		3
MFT 513 Group Therapy & Counseling		3
MFT 514 Substance Abuse Counseling		3
MFT 515 Psychological Assessment & Testing		3
MFT 516 Child and Adolescent Therapy		3
MFT 517 Trauma Response & Counseling		3
MFT 520 Practicum I		3
MFT 521 Practicum II		3
MFT 522 Aging & Long-Term Care		1
MFT 523 Career Development Theories		3
MFT 524 Human Sexuality		1
MFT 525 Practicum Continuation		0
Total Semester Hours		62