Marital and Family Therapy Program
The Marital and Family Therapy (MFT) program prepares students to become marriage and family therapists. Marriage and family therapists are trained to conceptualize mental health and behavior problems as existing within interpersonal relationships. Consequently, students are trained to treat problems within a person’s current interpersonal context. In addition to training in the most prominent marriage and family therapy theories, students are exposed to the biological and intrapsychic approaches to problem development and resolution. Students receive training in the assessment and treatment of the major mental disorders.
The MFT program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marital and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE). The COAMFTE is the national organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education for setting standards for marriage and family therapy education. USD’s MFT program is one of only four master’s degree-granting programs in California accredited by the COAMFTE.
Graduates of the MFT program usually work in mental health agencies. However, some set up their own private practices or go on to doctoral work. The degree fulfills the educational requirements for licensure in California as a Marriage and Family Therapist and usually meets the licensing requirements in the other 47 states with Marriage and Family Therapist licensure or certification.
MFTS Course Descriptions
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General Degree Requirements
The M.A. in MFT is a non-thesis degree program requiring the successful completion of 49 units of graduate coursework, 6.5 continuing education units, a written comprehensive exam, and the accumulation of a minimum of 500 client contact hours and 100 supervision hours. The majority of the students are full-time. Full-time students can complete the program within two full calendar years. Part-time students must take at least 6 units per semester.
Requirements For The Degree |
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| I. Coursework (49 units) | |
| MFTS 500 | Research in Family Therapy (3) |
| MFTS 523 | Family Therapy Theories I (3) |
| MFTS 524 | Family Therapy Theories II (3) |
| MFTS 528 | Psychopathology (3) |
| MFTS 529 | Ethical and Legal Issues in Family Therapy (2) |
| MFTS 532 | Human Diversity (3) |
| MFTS 533 | Family Studies (3) |
| MFTS 541 | Assessment and Treatment of Child/Family Problems (3) |
| MFTS 542 | Psychological Testing and Evaluation (2) |
| MFTS 543 | Developmental Psychopathology (3) |
| MFTS 544 | Psychopharmacology (2) |
| MFTS 545 | Families, Systems and Health (1) |
| MFTS 546 | Couples and Sex Therapy (3) |
| MFTS 570 | Treatment of Drug and Alcohol Problems (2) |
| MFTS 595P | Practicum in MFT 1 (5) |
| MFTS 596P | Practicum in MFT 2 (5) |
| MFTS 597P | Practicum in MFT 3 (5) |
| II. MFT Continuing Education Courses (6.5 units extension credit) |
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| EDUC X-571 | Child Abuse (.5) |
| EDUC X-572 | Gender Issues in Family Therapy (1) |
| EDUC X-574 | Domestic Violence (1) |
| EDUC X-577 | Professional Issues in Family Therapy (1) |
| EDUC X-578 | Spiritual Issues in Family Therapy (1) |
| Students are required to take two of the following CE courses: | |
| EDUC X-573 | Group Therapy in Family Therapy (1) |
| EDUC X-575 | Special Topics in Family Therapy (1) |
| EDUC X-576 | Self of the Therapist Seminar (1) |
| III. Comprehensive Examination | |
| IV. Clinical Contact Hours Students must successfully complete a total of 500 clinical contact hours (minimum of 250 relational hours) and 100 supervision hours (minimum of 50 with raw data) while enrolled in Practicum. |
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| V. Completion of Prerequisite Requirements Students must complete the two prerequisite requirements (Human Development, and either Counseling Theories or Theories of Personality) either prior to enrollment in the program or before the beginning of their second semester in the program. |
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Practicum In MFT |
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| An important part of the training program is the practical experience and training students receive during the clinical practicum. The MFT faculty maintain a variety of sites that meet the rigorous clinical hour and supervision requirements. Practicum placements are typically non-paying positions. Practicum (MFTS 595P, 596P, 597P) is a 12-month, three-semester sequence that is completed during the student’s final year in the program. During this clinically rich experience, students will be expected to complete 500 direct client-contact hours, 250 of which need to be with couples or families. Students receive a minimum of 100 hours of supervision from MFT faculty during this time, in addition to the supervision received from on-site supervisors. Faculty supervision is in both individual and group format, with live and videotaped data being used as the primary source of session information. |
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Pastoral Counseling Certificate |
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| MFT students who wish to specialize in Pastoral Care and Counseling may do so by taking the additional 18 units required for the Certificate of Advanced Study (CAS) in Pastoral Care and Counseling. Students must apply to and be accepted by both the MFT and CAS programs. See page 68 for CAS admission and program requirements. | |
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