Master of Family Therapy MFT

Major: Family Therapy
Degree Awarded: Master of Family Therapy (MFT)
Calendar Type: Quarter
Minimum Required Credits: 90.0
Co-op Option: None
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 51.1505
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 21.1013

About the Program

The Master of Family Therapy (MFT) program is designed to prepare the next generation of couple and family therapists for the workforce. Students are trained to work in diverse, inter-professional health care environments and to address the complex public health issues that impact individuals, couples and families. The program has a particular focus on working with couples and families impacted by trauma and addiction. Students are trained in modern, post-modern and evidence-based therapy approaches. Faculty have expertise and certifications in an array of treatment models, including attachment-based family therapy, emotionally focused couples therapy, sex therapy and self-of-the-therapist frameworks.

This 22-month, full-time, graduate degree program meets the minimum educational requirements for MFT license eligibility in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education.

NOTE: This program is subject to approval by the program accrediting body, the Commission for Accreditation of Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE).

Additional Information

For more information, visit the College of Nursing and Health Professions Counseling and Family Therapy Department webpage.

Degree Requirements

The 90-credit master's degree meets the minimum educational requirements for MFT licensure in the state of Pennsylvania. Graduates qualify for pre-clinical membership in the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. Our graduates are trained to assume clinical practice positions and are desirable in a myriad of work environments. Graduates are employed at behavioral health and health care institutions, addiction treatment facilities, community-based health care agencies, schools and in private practice.

Clinical Practicum Experience
All students must complete two continuous practicum internship experiences prior to graduation: 9-month and 12-month. Students are expected to spend 16-20 hours on-site and accrue 8-10 direct client contact hours per week, working at their approved program practicum site. The practicum work schedule cannot conflict with the established program class schedule.

Clinical practicum sites are located in Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey. Settings include addictions facilities, schools, family-based and forensic family therapy treatment programs, hospitals, community health centers, juvenile justice treatment systems and inpatient and outpatient behavioral health agencies. Students may expect to travel up to 30 miles to their practicum site or for related supervision. Transportation is the responsibility of the student.

For additional information, students should contact the Couple and Family Therapy Department.

Sample Plan of Study

Program Learning Outcomes

Program Goal 1: To graduate students who have acquired the theoretical knowledge and clinical skills to practice in the field of marriage and family therapy

• SLO 1: Employ a systemic/relational perspective to identify, assess and treat clinical and mental health issues using traditional and psycho-diagnostic categories
• SLO 2: Identify, assess and understand individual and family development across the family life cycle and its related influence on clinical, physical and mental health issues

Program Goal 2: To graduate students who can identify and execute the legal and ethical responsibilities to practice in the field of marriage and family therapy

• SLO 3: Maintain a professional couple and family therapy identity and ethical conduct to support future MFT licensure credentialing
• SLO 4: Identify ethical and legal issues and responsibilities related to the practice of couple and family therapy

Program Goal 3: To graduate students trained to identify cultural and contextual differences, to use their self in the therapeutic process and who serve diverse peoples and communities in the practice of couple and family therapy.

• SLO 5: Identify and utilize foundational and current, contemporary directions to couple and family therapy practice
• SLO 6: Understand, respect and maintain understanding of cultural differences in couple and therapy practice

Program Goal 4: To graduate students who can consume and apply the marriage and family therapy research literature

• SLO 7: Demonstrate knowledge of traditional and contemporary research practices in couple and family therapy
• SLO 8: Identify ethical responsibilities in couple and family therapy research practices

Counseling and Family Therapy Department Faculty