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
- 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 | 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 |
| 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 | 3 |
| COUN 754 | Group Counseling ** | 1 |
| COUN 755 | Contemporary Issues in Counseling | 1 |
| COUN 756 | Grief Counseling | 1 |
| COUN 759 | Pychobiology and Psychopharmocology | 0.5 |
| COUN 760 | Substance Abuse | 1 |
| COUN 764 | Trainee/Practicum Assessment | 0 |
Personal/Social Formation
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| COUN 724 | Interpersonal Communication ** | 3 |
| COUN 738 | Person, Family, and Culture | 2 |
| COUN 750A or COUN 750D | Cross-Cultural Counseling: Los Angeles * or Cross-Cultural Counseling: San Francisco | 1.5 or 1.5 |
| COUN 750B or COUN 750C | Cross Cultural Counseling: Fresno * or Cross-Cultural Counseling: International * | 1.5 or 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 or COUN 799 | Advanced Family Studies * or Thesis ** * | 3 or 6 |
| MIN 750 | Ministry Discernment | 0 |
* Must be an FPU Biblical Seminary course
** Course must be taken as number of units listed here
*** Optional Course, depending on Practicum placement
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Program details
Marriage and Family Therapy
Delivery mode
Blended
Cost per unit
$525
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