The Master of Science in Marital and Family Therapy is a 64-credit degree designed to graduate licensable MFTs (Marriage and Family Therapists) equipped to guide clients toward healing and relational restoration. Informed by systemic orientation, social justice, and evidence-based practices, our mission is to integrate the science and practice of couple and family therapy and to equip students with a solid foundation to promote the biopsychosocial, spiritual, and relational well-being of individuals, couples, and families in diverse communities. Furthermore, students will undergo personal development guided by self-of-the-therapist work. The 3-year degree program aims to provide students with academic, clinical, and professional training, along with 300 client contact hours of applied, supervised clinical practicum, necessary to function as skillful mental health professionals in their local and global communities.  

The MFT program is accredited by the Western Association of Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) and meets the educational requirements for MFT licensure with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS), according to California Business and Professions Code (BPC) §4980.36. The MFT curriculum aligns with the educational and clinical COAMFTE Standards. The Department permits enrollment in courses solely to students admitted to the M.S. in Marital and Family Therapy program. 

Program Learning Outcomes (PLO)

Students graduating from the CSUDH MFT program achieve competency in couples, marriage, and family therapy, evidenced by a collection of distinct program learning outcomes.

PLO 1: Knowledge/Research - Apply foundational and relational knowledge from a wide range of family and systemic theories and treatment techniques informed by research. 

PLO 2: Diversity - Demonstrate awareness of intersectional identities and contextual influences within diverse communities, social systems, and marginalized groups in clinical practice. 

PLO 3: Ethics - Apply legal, ethical, and professional standards required for clinical, systemic, and relational practice. 

PLO 4: Practice - Demonstrate competence in systems/relational practice according to MFT professional standards, as reflected in implementing, articulating, and writing up on clinical cases.