The Masters of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) prepares you with the knowledge, skill, and insight to practice counseling in a clinical setting. This program integrates theology, theory, personal formation and professional practice. This program is ideal for any student desiring to help in the healing process of those who have experienced hurt, pain and hardship in life. The program prepares you and covers the content areas required for the California Marriage and Family Therapy licensure exams.
Highlights
- Purposeful community of learners and leaders
- Experienced and published faculty
- Theologically diverse student body
- MFT and ministry students integrated in foundational courses
- Option to study in Israel each summer
- Option to attend the Hispanic Summer Program
- Diverse practicum opportunities
- Online courses available
- Fully accredited by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
Career opportunities
Graduating with an MFT degree from the Fresno Pacific Biblical Seminary prepares graduates for California licensure* as a therapist. We have students working as therapists in private counseling centers, their own private practices, county mental health facilities among other places. After graduation, students will continue the 3,000 hour internship requirement for CA state licensing; once the hours are completed the intern may then apply through the Board of Behavioral Science to take the Licensed Marriage & Family Therapy exam.
Program director
Cynthia McGrady, Ph.D.
Faculty
Adam Ghali, Ph.D.
Autumn Lindberg, LMFT
Mary Shamshoian, LMFT
David Bruce Rose, Ph.D.
Admission requirements
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited University
- Minium GPA of 3.0
- Completion of FPBS application materials
Course listing
Required Courses (65 Units)
Biblical/theological Studies
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| BIB-709 | Bible Knowledge Requirement | 0 |
| BIB-720* | The Church and God’s Mission in the World | 3 |
| BIB-725 | Biblical Interpretation I | 2 |
| BIB-760* | Theology for Integration | 3 |
| THEO-705 | Christian Thought | 2 |
Practical Studies
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| COUN-710 | Introduction to Counseling | 1 |
| COUN-721 | Professional Ethics in Counseling | 3 |
| COUN-726 | Human Development | 3 |
| COUN-728 | Family Violence | 1.5 |
| COUN-730 | Clinical Assessment | 3 |
| COUN-732 | Aging and Long Term Care | 1 |
| COUN-734 | Counseling Families | 3 |
| COUN-736 | Counseling Children | 2 |
| COUN-736L | Counseling Children Lab | 1 |
| COUN-740 | Psychopathology | 3 |
| COUN-744 | Research Testing and Family Assessment | 2-3 |
| COUN-747 | Counseling Individuals and Couples: Modern Theories | 2 |
| COUN-747L | Counseling Individuals and Couples Lab | 1 |
| COUN-748 | Counseling Individuals and Couples: PostModern Theories | 1 |
| COUN-752 | Human Sexuality | 3 |
| COUN-754 | Group Counseling | 1-3 |
| COUN-755 | Contemporary Issues in Counseling | 1 |
| COUN-756 | Grief Counseling | 1 |
| COUN-759 | Psychobiology and Psychopharmacology | 0.5 |
| COUN-760 | Substance Abuse | 1 |
| COUN-764 | Trainee/Practicum Assessment | 0 |
1Where a range of units is listed, the lower numeral is the number of units required and the additional units are electives.
Personal/social Formation
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| COUN-724 | Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
| COUN-738 | Person, Family and Culture | 2 |
| COUN-750A* | Cross-Cultural Counseling: Los Angeles | 1.5 |
| or COUN-750D | Cross-Cultural Counseling: San Francisco | 1.5 |
| COUN-750B* | Cross-Cultural Counseling: Fresno | 1.5 |
| or COUN-750C* | Cross-Cultural Counseling: International | 1.5 |
| MIN-705* | Mentoring/Connecting | 1 |
| THEO-730* | Discipleship and Ethics | 2 |
Capstone
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| COUN-792** | Summer Practicum | 1 |
| COUN-793A | Practicum I | 3 |
| COUN-793B | Practicum II | 3 |
| COUN-790* | Advanced Family Studies | 3 |
| or COUN-799* | Thesis | 6 |
| MIN-750* | Ministry Discernment | 0 |
* Must be an FPU Biblical Seminary course.
** Optional Course, depending on Practicum placement.