M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy
Program Overview
The graduate Psychology and Counseling Department exists to empower students through education, preparation, and training to be servant leaders in the area of counseling for the church and society.
The 53-unit Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) Program develops highly trained counselors, grounded in Christian principles, that help families to restore broken relationships, resolve life challenges, and develop satisfying relationships. Sound research skills, theoretical teaching, practical application, and clinical intervention training are core to the curriculum. Professors guide students through cognitive studies, skills courses, self-assessment measures, and personal counseling - all providing a rich educational experience.
Four core objectives are stressed within the program.
- Prepare students to (a) pass the state licensing examination, (b) demonstrate adequate knowledge of the principles of marriage and family therapy, and (c) write and articulate their personal theoretical model for therapy.
- Develop high standards of professionalism for marriage and family therapists.
- Promote integration of Christian principles in the practice of marriage and family therapy.
- Master technological skills that will enhance lifelong learning and the practice of marriage and family therapy.
This program is uniquely formatted, enabling students to work full-time or part-time. Courses are offered during the day on Tuesdays and/or Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Each term is comprised of two modules consisting of eight weeks each, and the entire program may be completed in 24 months.
The MFT degree meets the educational requirements of the Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) in California, including the requirements of the Business and Professions Code, Section 4980.37, .38, and .40. Graduates may sit for their licensing examination upon completion of the necessary 3,000 supervised hours.
We have our own on-site counseling center, the Hope Counseling Center (HCC), which offers counseling services for Hope students, faculty, staff, and the Fullerton community. The HCC is a convenient location for MFT students to complete licensing hours.
Each student seeking licensure is responsible for knowing and complying with the Board's licensing requirements. Students are advised to contact the BBS directly:
Board of Behavioral Sciences
1625 North Market Blvd., Ste. S-200
Sacramento, CA 95834
(916) 547-7830
www.bbs.ca.gov
Admission Requirements
Applicants seeking entry into the MFT program must submit the following:
- Completed application form with non-refundable $75.00 fee. (fee waived for Hope alums)
- Official transcript(s) from an accredited university or college confirming completion of an undergraduate degree and any completed graduate work. Applicants desiring to be considered for waiver or transfer or prerequisite courses must submit relevant transcripts indicating graduate level courses or undergraduate courses respectively with a satisfactory grade of B or better.
- Two completed reference forms sent to the School of Graduate Studies Admissions office.
- A comprehensive career statement (form may be obtained from the department)
- A personal interview
Probationary acceptance may be granted if other factors give evidence of the applicant's ability to successfully complete a program. The probationary status will be removed when the student has successfully completed nine semester units with a 3.0 G.P.A. or better.
Graduation Requirements
The following criteria serves as the major program assessment tool for the MFT program, and comprises the following elements:
- Successful completion of 53 units of coursework
- 250 Clinical Training Hours with 150 hours of those hours being direct client hours
- 50 Professional Development Hours
- Child Abuse Assessment and Treatment Seminar (7 Hours)
Curriculum - M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy (Total: 53 units)
All foundational courses must be completed and all other deficiencies met before the student has completed 12 units of degree courses
Prerequisites
BIB5000 Foundational Principles in Bible Survey
CNS5010 Foundational Principles in Marriage and Family Therapy
Core Courses
BIB6120 Dynamics of Christian Community and Ministry
CNS5120 Professional Ethics and Law
CNS5130 Research Methodology
CNS5200 Substance Abuse Assessment and Treatment
CNS5990 Professional Development Seminar
CNS6100 Development Care and Human Development
CNS6110 Personal and Professional Communication
CNS6125 Multicultural Issues in Psychotherapy
CNS6130 Theories of Marriage and Family Therapy
CNS6150 Approaches to Treatment of Children
CNS6180 Psychopathology
CNS6190 Marriage and Family Therapy Assessment
CNS6300 Counseling Older Adults and Their Families
CNS6350 Approaches to the Treatment of Couples
CNS6400 Psychopharmacology
CNS6920 Comprehensive Case Presentation
Elective Courses - Choose two units
CNS5300 Crisis Interventions
CNS6140 Group Therapy
CNS6900 Seminar in
Marriage & Family Therapy Topics
CNS6930 Advanced Supervised Individual Study
CNS6990 Seminar in EMDR Training
Clinical Requirements
CNS6801 Supervised Practicum
CNS6802 Supervised Practicum
CNS6803 Supervised Practicum
CNS6995 Advanced Professional Development Seminar
Additional Requirements
Comprehensive Case Presentation (Pass/Fail)
50 Hours of Professional Development
250 Hours of Clinical Training Hours (including minimum of 150 face to face client hours)
Child Abuse Seminar (7 hours)
