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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.
Download the MFT Admissions Checklist to get started. For tangible ways our MFT faculty and staff are making a difference, check out our Let's Talk series.
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)
- In 2018, our MFT students passed the Licensed Clinical Exam at a rate of 71% and the Law & Ethics exam at a rate of 100%.
Career opportunities
Graduating with an MFT degree from the Fresno Pacific Biblical Seminary prepares you for California licensure* as a therapist. FPU Biblical Seminary graduates work as therapists in private counseling centers, their own private practices, county mental health facilities among other places. After graduation, you will continue the 3,000 hour internship requirement for CA state licensing; once the hours are completed you 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, Ph.D.
David Bruce Rose, Ph.D.
Valerie Rempel, Ph.D.
Mark Baker, Ph.D.
Tim Geddert, Ph.D.
Lynn Jost, Ph.D.
Admission requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited University
- Minimum GPA of a 3.0.
- Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
- Three reference letters: one from a Pastor or Spiritual mentor, one from a professor or employer, and one from a friend
- Official GRE exam scores
- Three prerequisite courses: intro to psychology, abnormal psychology, and human development
- Fifty hours of face-to-face counseling experience
- Personal profile questions
- Short answer questions
Course listing
Required Courses (65 Units)
Biblical/Theological Studies
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| BIB 709 | Bible Knowledge Requirement Seminar | 0 |
| BIB 720 | The Church and God’s Mission in the World * | 3 |
| BIB 725 | Understanding, Interpreting and Teaching Scripture Must be taken as a 2 unit course | 2 - 3 |
| BIB 760 | Theology for Integration * | 3 |
| THEO 712 | The Story of the Church and Its Theology Must be taken as a 2 unit course | 2 - 3 |
Practical Studies
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| COUN 710 | Introduction to Counseling | 1 |
| COUN 721 | Professional Ethics in Counseling Must be taken as a 3 unit course | 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 At least 2 units required | 2 - 3 |
| COUN 747 | Counseling Individuals and Couples: Modern Theories | 2 |
| COUN 747L | Counseling Individuals and Couples: Modern Theories Lab | 1 |
| COUN 748 | Counseling Individuals and Couples: Postmodern Theories | 1 |
| COUN 752 | Human Sexuality | 1 - 3 |
| COUN 754 | Group Counseling At least 1 required | 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 |
Personal/Social Formation
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| COUN 724 | Interpersonal Communication Must be taken as a 3 unit course | 2 - 3 |
| COUN 738 | Person, Family, and Culture | 2 |
| COUN 750A COUN 750D | Cross-Cultural Counseling: Los Angeles * or Cross-Cultural Counseling: San Francisco | 1.5 or 1.5 |
| COUN 750B COUN 750C | Cross Cultural Counseling: Fresno * or Cross-Cultural Counseling: International * | 1.5 or 1.5 |
| THEO 730 | Discipleship and Ethics Must be taken as a 2 unit course | 2 - 3 * |
| COUN 704 | Discerning Vocation and Calling | 1 |
Capstone
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| COUN 792 | Summer Practicum Optional Course, depending on Practicum placement. | 1 |
| COUN 793A | Practicum I | 3 |
| COUN 793B | Practicum II | 3 |
| COUN 790 COUN 799 | Advanced Family Studies * or Thesis | 3 |
| COUN 770 | Ministry Discernment | 0 |
*Must be an FPU Biblical Seminary course.
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Program details
Marriage and Family Therapy
Delivery mode
Blended
Cost per unit
$530, $540 (effective 21-22)
Number of units
65
Accreditation
Association of Theological Schools
Locations
The MFT program at Fresno Pacific teaches every student to become a critical thinker, think outside the box, show compassion, care for others and most importantly care for yourself. FPU has a reputation for offering a rigorous MFT program and has an excellent reputation in the local mental health community.
Lisete Oyervidez
- Marriage & Family Therapy