
Marriage & Family Therapy
M.S. in Counseling
The Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) Program is a full-time, 2.5 year program that prepares students to practice as highly competent entry-level MFT's.
GRE Requirement Suspended for Spring and Fall 2021
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, SDSU has suspended the requirement that applicants for graduate study submit GRE scores for the Spring and Fall 2021 admissions cycle. The MFT faculty will not be reviewing any GRE scores so as to not disadvantage those who faced barriers to taking the GREs because of COVID-19.
The MFT Program is a cohort model program with new enrollments once a year. It is an intensive program offering extensive clinical experience and rigorous academic studies to prepare students to practice as highly competent entry-level MFT's. In order to complete all requirements of the program students must complete 2 1/2 years of study including 3 summers starting in early June of the first year and finishing at in the end of August in the second year.
Graduates of our program are able to provide therapeutic services and facilitate related change processes with a focus on social justice in variety of settings. As students, they participate in learning and practicing systemic and social constructionist ideas through the culturally-infused curriculum, and intensive strength-based, community-focused clinical training. Our affordable program is accredited by Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE).
Emphasis on Teaching
The MFT program and the university place teaching as the first priority. Faculty members are selected for their excellence in teaching and commitment to strong faculty-student relationships. Classes usually have 30 students or fewer in them. Learning processes are highly interactive, including emphases on both personal growth and professional knowledge and skills.
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Multicultural DevelopmentDeveloping culturally responsive therapists with a diverse, compassionate and intelligent student body. |
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Experienced FacultyFaculty of the MFT program are actively involved in class with students, clinical trainings, and often are practicing in the profession with diverse foci and specialties. |
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COAMFTE AccreditedThe Marriage and Family Therapy Program at San Diego State University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE). |
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Clinical ExperienceGain extensive clinical experience through community engagement, practicums, and traineeship placements. Conduct therapy at the Center for Community Counseling and Engagement (CCCE) early in training |
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2 ½-Year Intensive ProgramCohort 60 unit program model with 2 full years of face-to-face that begins in the summer of first year |
- Knowledge of MFT theories
- Effective clinical work with diverse cultural groups
- Engage in a larger cultural systems perspective and social justice lens
- Enhance self-of-therapist and personal growth
- Develop community leadership skills by engaging in social responsibility/
being social change agent - Fulfillment of Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy (COAMFTE) standards requiring
- Fulfillment of all educational requirements for MFT California state licensure by the Board of Behavioral Sciences
Note: For more information about our program, academic requirements, and more, see MFT-FAQs.
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Year 1: Summer
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Year 1: Fall
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Year 1: Spring
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Year 2: Summer
* depending on the student's rate of clinical experience hours collection, additional summer enrollments may be needed to meet the graduation requirements |
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Year 2: Fall
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Year 2: Spring
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Final Summer
* depending on the student's rate of clinical experience hours collection, additional summer enrollments may be needed to meet the graduation requirements |
See Our Faculty page for information about and contact information for our faculty and lecturers.
MFTs are focused on the interpersonal and relational aspects of human behavior, as well as the social contexts in which problems occur. They can work in a variety of settings such as:
- Non-profit organizations
- Educational organizations
- Health care organizations
- Private Practice
- Read more about the MFT
The MFT Essential Guide is given to all our students to provide program details and expectations.
Announcements
Info Sessions
Information sessions will be held twice in Fall 2020 to provide prospective students more information about the admissions process, the program, and its faculty. Some faculty and current students from each cohort will be in attendance.
Prospective students are encouraged to read through the MFT program website prior to attending an information session.
Information session # 1: October 21st, 1-3pm
Information session # 2: November 6th, 1-3pm
To receive a Zoom link for the sessions please RSVP by going to: https://forms.gle/GVLcmwRX89YcG3sJA
A Zoom link will be sent out the day before each information session. For tech support
please go Zoom's Help Center (https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us)
Fall 2021 Admissions
Cal State Apply Applications are due December 15, 2020.
Program application & letters of recommendation are due Jan 12, 2021.
Important Resources
- Tuition cost
Visit the Office of Admissions Estimated Cost of Attendance page for the latest information about the cost of university tuition. - Financial aid
All courses are eligible for Financial Aid. Contact the SDSU Financial Aid Office and speak to a financial aid officer familiar with loans for special programs.
COAMFTE
COAMFTE Student Achievement Criteria Data for SDSU MFT Program
Advertised Program Length*: FT: 2.5 years
Accredited: 2006
All data are for full-time students.
Cohort Year Students Entered Program* | # of Students in Program | Graduation Rate (%)* | Job Placement Rate (%)** | National Exam Pass Rate (%)*** |
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2010-2011 | 24 | 79.16 | 90 | 100 |
2011–2012 | 24 | 87.5 | 85.71 | 100 |
2012–2013 | 30 | 93.3 | 100 | 100 |
2013–2014 | 29 | 96.55 | 100 | 100 |
2014–2015 | 30 | 96.66 | 80 | 100 |
2015–2016 | 28 | 92.85 | 100 | 100 |
2016–2017 | 29 | 96.55 | 75 | 100 |
2017–2018 | 28 | 46.42 | 84.61 | 100 |
2018-2019 | 30 | 73.3 | in progress | in progress |
2019-2020 | 31 | in progress | in progress | in progress |
Programs are only required to provide data on the past 10 years/cohort or since the
program was initial accredited, whichever is shorter.
* Programs should report graduation rates for program’s Advertised Length of Completion.
The Advertised Length of Completion is how long the program is designed to complete
as written.
The advertised length of the program was extended to two and a half years beginning 2019-2021.
**This is defined as the percentage of graduates from the cohort year listed that
are employed within 3 years of their graduation utilizing skills learned in the COAMFTE
accredited program. Masters and Doctoral programs are required to provide this information.
Post-Degree programs are encouraged to share this with the public.
*** Master programs are required to provide this information. Doctoral and Post-Degree programs are encouraged to share this with the public. For Master’s programs only, COAMFTE has established a benchmark of 70% pass rate for each cohort. Programs in California can use the California Law and Ethics exam for MFTs to meet this requirement.