Marriage and Family Therapy, Master of Arts
The Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy program at City University is thoughtfully designed to cultivate a deep understanding of relational systems and their impact on individual and family mental health. Our curriculum arms students with essential skills to navigate and resolve complex family dynamics and diverse mental health issues within various relational contexts.
At the core of our program are rigorous theoretical coursework and practical application, enabling students to develop a comprehensive toolkit of therapeutic techniques and intervention strategies. The program emphasizes not just the learning of systemic theories but their effective integration into real-life therapeutic practices, ensuring our students are both knowledgeable and highly competent practitioners.
Ethics and professionalism are at the core of our training, ensuring that graduates adhere to the highest standards of practice, respectful of both cultural and individual diversity. Integral to our curriculum is the encouragement of reflective practices, which enhances personal and professional growth and supports the development of empathetic, ethically minded therapists.
Moreover, a nuanced and dynamic commitment to social justice is woven throughout the program, preparing students to actively engage in community advocacy and initiatives aimed at promoting equitable and inclusive mental health care. This prepares our graduates not only to contribute positively to community health but also to champion social justice in their professional roles.
Graduates of this program are thoroughly prepared to pursue licensure and enter the field as marriage and family therapists, equipped to address the evolving needs of families and communities effectively. Our education opens diverse career paths in private practices, mental health agencies, hospitals, and educational settings, enabling our graduates to apply their skills to support and enhance client well-being significantly.
Program Outcomes
1. Graduates will demonstrate advanced clinical skills in assessing, diagnosing, and treating a diverse range of clients within relational contexts.
2. Graduates will consistently exhibit ethical and professional behavior in line with current legal and professional standards set by American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy in the Code of Ethics.
3. Graduates will demonstrate the ability to engage in self-reflective practices, effectively using personal experiences and emotional responses to enhance therapeutic relationships and outcomes.
4. Graduates will understand how individual, family, and community well-being are interconnected. Actively participate in advocacy and initiatives that aim to improve social justice and community health.
5. Establish a commitment to professional development through continuing education, clinical supervision, self-reflection, and consultation with peers.
6. Locate and critically evaluate research related to core areas of marriage and family therapy (MFT) practice.
Admission Requirements
In addition to City University of Seattle’s graduate admission requirements, found under Admissions in the catalog menu, students in this program must also meet the requirements listed below:
- Hold a bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Family Studies, or a related field
- Have relevant professional experience
- Submit an essay and reference letters
- Interview with the program director / coordinator or designee
Total Required Credits (71)
Major in Marriage and Family Therapy (50 Credits)
| MFT 500 | Foundations of Systemic Practice | 3 |
| MFT 504 | Family of Origin from Systemic Perspective | 3 |
| MFT 506 | Multicultural Perspective | 3 |
| MFT 509 | Systemic Care Skills Lab | 3 |
| MFT 515 | Human Development in the Family Life Cycle | 3 |
| MFT 520 | Ethics and Professional Issues in MFT | 3 |
| MFT 524 | Research Methods in MFT | 3 |
| MFT 527 | Human Sexuality | 3 |
| MFT 531 | Advanced Therapeutic Techniques | 4 |
| MFT 535 | Psychopathology and Diagnostic Principles | 3 |
| MFT 538 | Intimate Partner and Family Therapy Models | 3 |
| MFT 544 | Clinical Assessment and Treatment Planning | 4 |
| MFT 550 | Working with Children and Adolescents | 3 |
| MFT 555 | Applied Intimate Partner Therapy | 3 |
| MFT 563 | Understanding and Treating Trauma | 3 |
| MFT 570 | Professional Development and Ethics | 3 |
Deep Dive (6 Credits)
| MFT 580 | Advanced Theories: Person of the Therapist & Contemporary Therapists | 3 |
| MFT 585 | Couple Life Cycle | 3 |
Internship (12 Credits)
Capstone (3 Credits)