Marriage and Family Therapy

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.

Associate Professor, Program Director, Marriage and Family Therapy

Faculty

Adam Ghali, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Marriage and Family Therapy

Autumn Lindberg, Ph.D.

Adjunct Faculty of Marriage and Family Therapy Program

Mark Baker, Ph.D.

Professor of Mission and Theology

Tim Geddert, Ph.D.

Professor, Program Director, New Testament

Lynn Jost, Ph.D.

Professor, Program Director, Old Testament, Director of the Center for Anabaptist Studies

Admission requirements

Commitment to and desire for Christian ministry and service
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	2-3

Must be taken as a 2 unit course

Code	Title	Units
BIB 760	Theology for Integration *	3
THEO 712	The Story of the Church and Its Theology	2-3

Must be taken as a 2 unit course

Practical Studies

Code	Title	Units
COUN 710	Introduction to Counseling	1
COUN 721	Professional Ethics in Counseling	3

Must be taken as a 3 unit course

Code	Title	Units
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

At least 2 units required

Code	Title	Units
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	1-3

At least 1 unit required

Code	Title	Units
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	2-3

Must be taken as a 3 unit course

Code	Title	Units
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 *	2-3

Must be taken as a 2 unit course

Code	Title	Units
COUN 704	Discerning Vocation and Calling	1

Capstone

Code	Title	Units
COUN 792	Summer Practicum 1 - Optional Course, depending on Practicum	placement.
COUN 793A	Practicum I	3
COUN 793B	Practicum II	3
COUN 790 COUN 799	Advanced Family Studies * or Thesis *	3 or 3-6
COUN 770	Ministry Discernment	0

View our State Professional Licensing and Certificate Disclosure.

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Program details

Delivery mode

Blended

Cost per unit

$540

Number of units

Accreditation

Association of Theological Schools

Locations

Fresno Main Campus

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