Marriage and Family Therapy (M.S.)
How to Apply
The GRE is no longer required to apply to this program.
Important Dates for Fall 2025
| Item | Due Date |
|---|---|
| 1. Cal State Apply application (opens October 1 each year) |
December 1, 2024 |
| 2. Official transcripts due* | December 15, 2024 |
| 3. Interfolio program application & letters of recommendation | December 15, 2024 |
Steps 1-4: Admission to SDSU
Steps 1-4 must be completed through the SDSU Graduate Admissions Office.
- Get general help and tips on how to complete the Cal State Apply application.
-
Application Guide: Marriage and Family Therapy Cal State Apply Tutorial.
Step 5: Admission to Program
Your program application has been created in a system called Interfolio. For help, refer to this Interfolio Tutorial (PDF).
Please gather the required program-specific documents below and have them ready to upload to the Interfolio program application.
Write a personal statement based on the following prompt.
The MFT Admissions Committee is interested in getting to know you as a developing person and professional. Please supply the Committee with a double-spaced 2- to 3-page reflective essay on the following areas:
- What attracts you to the SDSU program compared to other training programs?
- What personal life experiences have been very important to you in helping you prepare to be a mental health professional, counselor or marriage and family therapist?
- What unique multicultural experiences have you experienced in your life that have been meaningful to you in preparing to work as a mental health practitioner, counselor or marriage and family therapist?
- What specific events stand out in your schooling or working life that are important stepping stones for you in training to be a mental health practitioner, counselor or marriage and family therapist?
Prepare a current resume or curriculum vitae listing work experience, education, awards, publications, and presentations.
Complete your experience profile using the Experience Profile Template (Word Document).
Complete the Marriage and Family Therapy Coursework Form (PDF).
Complete the Marriage and Family Therapy Disclosure Form (PDF).
Download unofficial transcripts (or scan a paper transcript) for every institution, one file per institution, and be prepared to upload to the Interfolio program application. This is in addition to, not a substitution for, having official transcripts sent to SDSU Graduate Admissions office.
Contact 3 individuals who you have interacted with both personally and professionally and would be able to write a letter of recommendation for you. Please request that they write their letter and have it ready for when the system is available since they will be needed quickly. Recommenders will submit their letters directly into the Interfolio program application (not through Cal State Apply).
Please collect recommenders' names and email addresses so you can request these letters through the Interfolio program application.
Make a 5- to 6-minute video on your phone or some other video recording device and upload it with the other online program application materials in the Interfolio program application.
Questions for the Video:
- Tell us what you are most passionate about in becoming a mental health professional, counselor or marriage and family therapist.
- What do you most want to learn in your choice of program?
- What do you imagine at this time will be your contribution to working with others to provide them with helpful mental health services?
In the application, you will be asked to upload your video to YouTube or Vimeo. Check out this article on how to Add YouTube and Vimeo Videos to Your Interfolio Dossier Account.
Info Sessions
Virtual information sessions will be held in Fall 2024 to provide prospective students more information about the admissions process, the program, and its faculty. Specific information sesssions about the Spanglish Certificate will also be held before or after the MFT information sessions. Dates and times are TBD.
Interviews
Folks invited to interview must attend the virtual interview (TBD). Exact times and date are to be announced in the Spring. Unfortunately, alternative interview dates cannot be accommodated.
Get in Touch
Thank you for your interest in the Marriage and Family Therapy program at SDSU. Due to a high volume of student inquiries, we are unable to meet with applicants one-on-one. For questions pertaining to our program, please see our FAQ page. For detailed information on the MFT program and its expectations (i.e. requirements, program curriculum, sequence of study, etc.) please refer to the Essential Guide provided to the MFT students.