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 currently accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE).

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 Drexel's College of Nursing and Health Professions Counseling and Family Therapy Department webpage.

Degree Requirements

The MFT curriculum assists students in integrating theory and practice. Issues of cultural diversity such as race, class, gender, sexual orientation, and ethnicity and power and privilege are addressed throughout the program. Students are fully trained to assume clinical practice in couple and family therapy and meet the educational requirements for Clinical Fellow membership in the AAMFT.

Required Courses
CFTP 500Introduction to Systems Theory4.0
CFTX 501Introduction to Family Therapy Models I3.0
CFTP 502Introduction to Family Therapy II3.0
CFTP 513DSM I: Adult Psychopathology3.0
CFTP 514DSM II: Child Psychopathology3.0
CFTP 522Legal and Ethical Implications in Couple and Family Therapy Practice4.0
CFTP 524Family Assessment and Evaluation3.0
CFTP 525Research in Couple and Family Therapy4.0
CFTP 540Child Therapy in Couple and Family Therapy3.0
CFTP 568Addictions in the Family System3.0
CFTP 570Foundational Elements of Trauma Care2.0
CFTP 571Human Development and Family Life Cycles4.0
CFTP 572Diversity and Contextual Factors in Clinical Practice4.0
CFTX 573Group Therapy: Theoretical Models and Practice2.0
CFTP 574Intersections of Trauma and Families Across Contexts4.0
CFTP 575Foundational Elements of Addiction2.0
CFTP 577Self of the Therapist2.0
CFTP 578Couples and Sex Therapy4.0
CFTP 600Advanced Theory and Practice I3.0
CFTX 601Advanced Theory and Practice II3.0
CFTP 602Advanced Theory and Practice III3.0
Practicum
CFTX 530Clinical Practicum Supervision I3.0
CFTX 531Clinical Practicum Supervision II1.0
CFTX 532Clinical Practicum Supervision III1.0
CFTX 533Clinical Practicum Supervision IV1.0
CFTX 534Clinical Practicum Supervision V1.0
CFTX 535Clinical Practicum Supervision VI1.0
CFTX 536Clinical Practicum Supervision VII1.0
CFTP 539Clinical Readiness Seminar3.0
CFTP 561Group Supervision Practicum I2.0
CFTP 562Group Supervision Practicum II2.0
CFTP 563Group Supervision Practicum III2.0
CFTP 564Group Supervision Practicum IV2.0
Capstone
CFTP 603Professional Development Capstone4.0
Total Credits90.0

Clinical Practicum Experience
All interns must complete two practicum experiences continuously prior to graduation: 9 month and 12 month. Interns will be expected to spend 16-20 hours per week working at the approved program practicum site. The intern, site supervisor, and CFT Director of Clinical Training negotiate practicum schedules. The practicum schedule cannot conflict with program class schedule.

Clinical practicum sites are located primarily in Philadelphia, 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 should expect to travel up to 30 miles to their practicum site or for related supervision. Transportation, therein is the responsibility of the student.

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

Sample Plan of Study

First Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
CFTP 5004.0CFTP 5133.0CFTP 5143.0CFTP 5023.0
CFTP 5224.0CFTP 5724.0CFTP 5243.0CFTP 5612.0
CFTP 5393.0CFTP 5772.0CFTP 5702.0CFTP 5744.0
CFTP 5714.0CFTX 5013.0CFTP 5784.0CFTP 5752.0
CFTX 5303.0CFTX 5311.0CFTX 5321.0CFTX 5331.0
 18 13 13 12
Second Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCredits 
CFTP 5254.0CFTP 5403.0CFTP 5642.0 
CFTP 5622.0CFTP 5632.0CFTP 6023.0 
CFTP 5683.0CFTX 5351.0CFTP 6034.0 
CFTP 6003.0CFTX 5732.0CFTX 5361.0 
CFTX 5341.0CFTX 6013.0  
 13 11 10 
Total Credits 90

Program Level 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 contribute to 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

Veronica Carey, PhD (Capella University) Assistant Dean of Diversity and Student Affairs. Associate Clinical Professor. National and international speaker on psychiatric rehabilitation evidence-based best practices and diversity, equity, and inclusion. Adheres to social justice as an essential curriculum content orientation.
Jessica Chou, PhD, LMFT, LPC (St. Louis University). Assistant Professor. Community-based research within marginalized populations including women and families impacted by substance use, training experiences of couple/marriage and family therapists (C/MFT) and migration and resettlement among immigrant and refugee families.
Stephanie Krauthamer Ewing, PhD, MPH (University of Delaware). Assistant Professor. Promoting healthy emotional development and resilience in children and adolescents, attachment and care-giving relationships, impact of trauma on parenting and attachment, developmental and contextual risk factors for depression and suicide risk in youth, evidence based treatments for depression and suicide risk, research methodology.
Christian Jordal, PhD, LMFT, CST (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University) Interim Chair, Program Director, Master of Family Therapy Program (MFT). Associate Clinical Professor. Behavioral health outcomes, mixed methodology; program evaluation, sexual and gender identity, healthcare best practices.
James Muruthi, PhD (University of Georgia). Assistant Professor. Family aging, health, wellness, social capital, health disparities.
Rikki Patton, PhD, LMFT (The Ohio State University). Research Professor. Family impact of substance abuse disorders and addiction, interprofessional education and collaboration.
Phyllis Swint, PhD, LMFT (Drexel University) Director of Clinical Training. Assistant Clinical Professor. Development of clinical training models and affiliate relationships that align with foundational learning and placement experiences for C/MFT and Masters of Addictions Counseling students. Extensive background in advocacy and working with marginalized families in behavioral health, community mental health, and the Philadelphia prison systems. Community outreach, collaboration and research, dedicated to the relational treatment needs of marginalized communities within the scope of clinical training and development.