Frequently Asked Questions

The MFT program seeks to attract candidates who demonstrate academic potential for graduate study and whose personal qualities will contribute to their success as therapists. We anticipate that applicants will possess strong interpersonal skills. We seek individuals whose career goals match what the program has to offer. We welcome individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences to enrich faculty and students. Ultimately, we are looking at a holistic application rather than one single aspect.

The GRE or MAT scores are not required in order to be considered for the program. If you have previously taken either standardized test and would like to submit your scores, you are welcome to do so.

The program seeks to enroll approximately 30 new students each year. Class sizes are generally kept between 15-20 students and many are comprised of both 1st and 2nd-year students. This is small enough to permit students and faculty to know each other, yet big enough to offer a diversity of experiences and perspectives in each class.

No. Although most of our students have undergraduate degrees in psychology, it is not necessary for you to have a psychology degree to enter our program, and many students come from various undergraduate disciplines including teaching, nursing, business, marketing and many other disciplines.

Full-time students who enter during the fall semester can complete the program in 2 years. The program is year-round, including summer.

An important value of the program is to help prepare students for working with diverse clients in clinical practice. It is important to note that the program's definition of diversity expands beyond race/ethnicity, and includes other elements such as sexual orientation, religious affiliation, gender identity, nationality, immigration status, and others. One way the program prepares students to work with diverse populations is through their coursework. In addition to taking Human Diversity in Family Therapy (MFTS 532), instructors in all courses are asked to incorporate issues of diversity into their classes. In their clinical work, students get opportunities to work with diverse populations through their practicum sites, especially given the diverse population in San Diego. In supervision, students are encouraged to reflect upon and state how issues of diversity are salient to the case. The program has also created Se Habla Español: A Resource Guide for Bilingual MFT Therapists. In addition, the program has offered supervision in Spanish to therapists working with Spanish-speaking clients.

Most courses are scheduled Monday-Friday between 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.; a few are scheduled in the early evening. Required courses are scheduled 2 times each year, fall and spring semesters. Our elective courses are offered in the summer. The schedule tends to look the same semester to semester, which allows students to plan their schedule in advance.

No. This program is offered on-campus and requires students to attend class in-person on the University of San Diego campus.

Yes, USD offers financial aid in the form of loans, assistantships and merit scholarships. Please refer to the Financial Aid page for more information. We additionally have a unique opportunity with our HRSA grant for financial assistance.

The USD MFT Program has many strengths including national accreditation, full-time and part-time faculty who are currently practicing in the field, faculty who have written a number of the MFT books that are used in curriculum around the nation, a diverse range of practicum sites, extensive supervision support during practicum, a focus on international work and cultural competency, a great reputation in the mental health community in San Diego, and a new HRSA grant providing additional financial opportunities for students.

See more information about our program's strengths.

Graduates from our program have been successful in gaining acceptance into doctoral programs in family therapy, psychology and other disciplines. Our national accreditation is particularly an asset for those seeking a doctoral program in family therapy since many of the courses and clinical hours can be applied to the doctoral program. The program gives students a strong clinical foundation for entering a doctoral program. We encourage all students interested in doctoral programs to seek additional experience in research during their time at USD. Students have participated in faculty members' research, and several students have published articles with the faculty. In addition, faculty can help interested students find specific research opportunities in the San Diego community.

The MFT program assists graduates in finding jobs in a number of ways. The program has prepared a resource guide for students entitled "A Job Guide for Graduate Students in Marriage and Family Therapy." This guide provides a wealth of information, such as how to write a resume, interview and resources on where or how to search for jobs, in addition to information about agencies that have hired USD alumni in the past.

This manual is not just focused on the San Diego area; it also includes information on other areas throughout California as well as resources for out-of-state job searches. The program regularly receives job openings from employers and graduates that are made available to current students and alumni. An alumni list has also been developed to facilitate graduates posting and receiving job announcements. Finally, graduates of the program report that the reputation of the University, particularly the MFT program, has been a valuable resource in getting hired.