Marital and Family Therapy
Program Information
The Basics
Degree: Master of Arts in Marital and Family Therapy
Approximate Time to Completion:
- Full Time: 2 years
- Part Time: 2.5 – 3 years
Units: 54 Graduate Units and 6 Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
Class Schedule
Each class typically meets once per week at 9:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., or 4:00 p.m. for 2 hours and 50 minutes. Most students take 3 classes per semester. Summer and intersession classes typically hold more frequent class meetings.
Enrollment
This program enrolls approximately 30 new students each fall.
Application Deadline
This program admits students for the fall and spring semesters. Click here for application deadline information.
Financial Aid
Financial aid is available in the form of grants, scholarships, and student loans. Click here for financial aid information.
What can I do with this degree?
This program prepares students to become professional marital and family therapists. Graduates of the USD MFT program usually work in mental health agencies, set up their own private practices, or go on to doctoral work. Family therapy is different from other mental health professions because of its emphasis on treating couples and families, its emphasis on present day problems instead of historical or intrapsychic conflicts, and its focus on understanding interpersonal relationships as a way of treating mental health problems. This program prepares students for licensure with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences as Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs).
For more program information visit the department website.
Application Checklist
- The University of San Diego Graduate School Admission Application. This application can be completed online at: www.sandiego.edu/admissions/graduate/apply/application.php
- The application fee of $45. Checks should be made out to the University of San Diego.
- One official sealed transcript from all colleges and universities attended.
- One official score report with the results of the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) General Test or the Miller Analogies Test (MAT).
- Three professional letters of recommendation from professors or employers.
- A 500-word statement of purpose.
- A current resume.
- Required documents for international students (if applicable).
- Official score reports for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
- Transcript Evaluation Report.
- Certification of Finances Form and required documentation.
Requirements for Admission
Standardized Testing Requirements
- Applicants must provide scores from the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) General Test or Miller Analogies Test (MAT). Scores must be less than five years old.
- The minimum GRE or MAT score is an overall score in the 50th percentile or above on each section.
- The University of San Diego’s Institution Code numbers are 4849 (GRE) and 1972 (MAT). This number must be included on test registration forms in order to have the official results sent to the university. Standardized testing must be completed well in advance of the deadline.
Education Requirements
- Applicants must complete a bachelor’s degree prior to beginning the program.
- The minimum cumulative Grade Point Average is 3.00 (on a 4.00 scale) in all undergraduate and graduate coursework.
- Two pre-requisite courses are required by the program. Students who have not taken these courses in their undergraduate studies can complete these requirements by taking a course prior to beginning the program or during their first semester at USD, either through an online program or in a traditional classroom setting. Information on these pre-requisites can be found here.
Experience Requirements
- Experience in a related field is recommended, but not required for admission.
Interview Requirements
- After an initial review of applications to the Marital and Family Therapy program, the most qualified candidates will be invited to USD for a 4-hour group interview (8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.) with the MFT faculty.
- Applicants who live outside California and surrounding states (Arizona, Oregon, Washington, Utah, or Nevada) will have the option of participating in a phone interview. However, out-of-state applicants are strongly encouraged to attend the on-campus group interview, if possible.
Requirements for International Applicants
Please note that international applicants must submit additional materials in order to be considered for admission. More information on these requirements is available here.
- A Course-by-Course Transcript Evaluation Report from World Education Services (WES) or Education Credential Evaluators (ECE). Transcripts issued directly in English by the academic institution are preferred. Otherwise, all transcripts that are not issued in English must be officially translated by an approved agency.
- The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is required and may only be waived if English is the applicant’s primary language or if he or she obtained a bachelor’s degree in the U.S., Great Britain, Canada or Australia.
- TOEFL minimum scores:
- Internet-based test: 83
- Computer-based test: 237
- Paper-based test: 580
- IELTS minimum score:
- Band score 7
- TOEFL minimum scores:
- Certification of Finances Form and required documentation.
Deadline to Apply
All application materials, including transcripts, test score reports and letters of recommendation, must be received by the Office of Graduate Admissions by the deadline in order for your application to be considered. View current deadlines for admission.
Application Status and Decisions
To confirm that application materials have been received or to check the status of your application, please log in to the MySanDiego portal with your applicant log-in or contact the Office of Graduate Admissions at 619-260-4524. Admissions decision letters are sent via US Mail.
| Send all application materials to: | For questions about this program or the admissions requirements contact: |
Office of Graduate Admissions Phone: (619) 260-4524 |
Office of Admissions and Outreach Phone: (619) 260-7988 |
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