The Marriage and Family Therapy Program

This program meets the educational requirements for State licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist as set forth by the State of California. Our program is designed to be completed in a minimum of two years. Our Program is designed to be completed in a minimum of two years. However, the applicant should be aware that before being eligible to sit for the State licensing examination a candidate for the MFT license must, in addition to completing the educational requirements, acquire 3,000 hours of acceptable supervised experience in State approved settings in addition to completing the educational requiremnts.

Of the entire 3,000 hours of required supervised experience, the State requires that a minimum of 1,500 hours be acquired after receipt of the Master's Degree with an option in Marriage and Family Therapy. Further, no credit can be given for experience gathered prior to enrollment in an acceptable MFT educational program.  Credit towards the pre-master's degree hours may be gained through participation in the courses on Directed Clinical Practice, PSY 585. Additionally, the State requires that the total 3,000 hours of acceptable supervised experience may not be accrued in less than 104 weeks (two complete years).

Therefore, the applicant who looks forward to MFT licensure must anticipate a commitment of three and one-half to four years from entry into this program to eligibility to sit for the state licensing examination.

The Psychology Department admits a maximum of 15 new students a year to our MFT program. Admission is in the Fall Quarter only.

The MFT Program of the CSULA Psychology Department is responsive to cultural diversity. We are committed to sensitivity and equity in education and service to members of all groups. It is expected that students accepted to the program will share this commitment.

Application Procedure and Program Requirements

An applicant to this program must apply to both the Psychology Department MFT program and to the Graduate Division of California State University, Los Angeles. The applicant should be aware that Department and University deadlines are not identical. Students choosing this option should first apply to the Department (Section 12.0) and accepted, then apply to the University.

Foreign students must apply to and be accepted by the University before they can apply to the Psychology Department. Further information can be obtained by contacting the Foreign Students' Office.

ACCEPTANCE BY THE UNIVERSITY DOES NOT GUARANTEE ACCEPTANCE BY THE PSYCHOLOGY DEPARTMENT MFT PROGRAM.

A completed Departmental Application must be on file in the Psychology Department by February 1st, for consideration for the Fall Quarter. A completed application includes the following:

1. OFFICIAL transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work sent directly to the Psychology Department. (Additional official transcripts may be required by the University).
   These transcripts must show evidence of:
   *A. A Baccalaureate degree with a major in Psychology (See Section 3.0 for non-psychology major requirements) and

   *B. At least a 3.0 GPA (on a scale of 4) in the last 60 semester or 90 quarter units of academic courses.

   THREE LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION. It is suggested that at least one of these letters come from a professor who can evaluate the applicants academic strengths and weakness. A letter from someone, such as a supervisor, who can evaluate any counseling or field work experience is also desirable, as is a letter from someone who can comment on the personality of the applicant and his/her suitability for clinical work.

   COMPLETED APPLICATION FORM

FINAL DETERMINATION OF ACCEPTANCE TO THE MFT PROGRAM will be based on a personal interview with faculty and student members of the Psychology MFT Program. Interviews will be conducted with those applicants (a) whose files are complete by deadline date and (b) who remain under consideration following evaluation of the materials listed above. The purpose of this interview is to attempt to assess the applicant's maturity, potential strengths and weakness as a clinician, ability to withstand and benefit from personal criticism, and motivation to successfully complete the requirements for an MFT license.

Interested students should contact the Department of Psychology at California State University Los Angeles (323) 343-2250, or contact the program Director Profesor Brigitte Matthies at (323) 343-5109. Professor Matthies can also be reached via E-mail at bmatthi@calstatela.edu.

* See section FOR STUDENTS WHOSE BACCALAUREATE IS NOT IN Psychology (Non-majors in Psychology).

University Catalog

Application Form

See Application Form in Graduate Handbook

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