What is an MFT Program?
Our Marriage and Family Therapy program prepares you to work as therapists in private practice and at mental health agencies and organizations. If you have an interest in pursuing a doctoral degree in Applied Developmental Science, the MFT program is a great way to start.
Our program is based on a relational-systemic philosophy that is multiculturally-informed and promotes ethical competency. Your coursework includes a clinical research preparation program in Human Development and Family Studies, Marriage and Family Therapy, and Research.
You can expect to complete the MFT program in two years if you include both summer sessions. Take a moment to learn about the required courses you will take.
Marriage and Family Therapy Specialization Curriculum
Master of Science in Human Development and Family Studies, Marriage and Family Therapy Specialization, Plan A
MFT Details
Our MFT program prepares you for licensure as Marriage and Family Therapists in Colorado and many other states. We ensure you acquire your mandatory 500 client contact hours and 200 supervision hours while you are completing your degree. For over 10 years, we’ve had a 100% passing rate on the national licensing exam.
MFT Students
Resources Prospective and Current Graduate Students
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need clinical experience?
Clinical experience means working in some capacity with clinical and/or vulnerable populations. This can be working or volunteering at a safe house, residential treatment center, supervised visit agency, homeless shelter, child welfare agency, suicide hotline, hospice, parenting classes, after school program with at-risk children/youth, etc. It is not simply working with people such as babysitting or being a camp counselor (unless the camp is working with a vulnerable population). The best clinical experiences are those with intensive training. Clinical experiences can be described in your personal statement, resume or CV, and your letters of recommendation.
Do I need to demonstrate experiences with diversity and inclusion in my application?
To be competitive in the application process it is important to talk about your experiences in the area of diversity and inclusion. This may include courses you have taken with an emphasis on Diversity and Social Justice and experiences you have had (i.e. Peace Corp, Teach for America, City Year, volunteering or internships at places that serve marginalized people, study abroad). In the Marriage and Family Therapy program you will be working with a diverse population and learning about diversity and social justice. Diversity and inclusion experiences can be described in your personal statement, resume or CV, and your letters of recommendation.
Do I need to identify and connect with a faculty member prior to applying?
Students in our three graduate programs are required to work with their faculty adviser (mentor) to complete a research-based thesis project. Prospective students are asked to describe what research topics interest them and to identify faculty adviser(s) who may be a suitable mentor(s) on the project. Applicants should demonstrate that their proposed research interests align with the interests and expertise of their proposed faculty adviser(s).
How do I tell the difference between licensure and counseling related degrees?
In order to decide which degree is the best fit for you and which license you want to work toward, we recommend doing the following:
- Research various websites for the National Boards of the profession you are considering. For MFT, visit the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy website. This may give you an idea of which professional home you find to be the best fit.
- Interview professionals from various backgrounds and who hold a variety of licenses.
- Look at the state licensing board websites for the license and state(s) in which you are interested.
How do my supervisors observe and give me feedback?
Both our Center for Family and Couple Therapy and our Child Trauma and Resilience Assessment Center utilize one-way mirrors for a supervisor to observe during all practicum sessions. Practicum students will also attend case planning to discuss their cases prior to seeing clients and they will take a break midway during each session to consult with the supervisor. During Campus Connections and internship credits, students attend case planning supervision each week. Supervisors for the three centers are on call and are always available during emergencies.