253.535.7659
www.plu.edu/marriage-family-therapy/
Prerequisites
Applicants who have a degree in family studies, human services, psychology, sociology, social work, or the equivalent have met any program prerequisites. Applicants who do not have a degree in any of these areas are required to complete a minimum of 15 semester hours (22.5 quarter hours) in family social sciences, human services, psychology, sociology, or social work.
Admission
The MFTH program is looking for individuals who have professional goals consistent with the program, volunteer or professional experience in the social services, the ability to handle the academic rigor of the program, and the personal qualities required of couple and family therapists. Our goal is to have a student body highly diverse in spirituality, age, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, and also inclusive of international students. To be considered for admission, applicants must: have a bachelor’s degree, submit transcripts of all undergraduate work, have a specific interest in MFTH, provide a current résumé, obtain two letters of recommendation, complete an application, and prepare a career statement.
The comprehensive career statement (maximum of five double-spaced typed pages) should address the following questions:
- What significant cultural experiences have most influenced your present development and your desire to be a couple and family therapist?
- What are your professional career goals after completing your degree?
- What are your strengths that will help you achieve your professional goals?
- What do you consider to be areas for personal growth that may need the most attention during your training as a therapist at Pacific Lutheran University?
This statement replaces the required goal statement on the application form.
Based on a committee review of applicants’ written materials, a pool of applicants to be interviewed is established. The primary purpose of the interview is to determine the fit between the applicants’ professional goals and the purpose and mission of the MFTH program.
Application Deadline for Fall
Application file completed in Office of Admission: January 31 Interview Notification: Mid-February through end of April. Interview date: To be determined.
Advance Deposit
Accepted applicants must make a non-refundable $300 advanced tuition deposit to confirm their acceptance of an offer of admission within three weeks of their acceptance date.
Degree Requirements
47 semester hours
- MFTH 500: Human Development (4)
- MFTH 503: Systems Approach to Marriage and Family Therapy (4)
- MFTH 504: Family Development (4)
- MFTH 505: Research Methods in Marriage and Family Therapy (3)
- MFTH 507: Comparative Marriage and Family Therapy (4)
- MFTH 510: Human Sexuality, Sex Therapy, and Couples Therapy(4)
- MFTH 511: Psychosocial Pathology: Relationship to Marriage and Family Therapy (4)
- MFTH 512: Professional Studies in Marriage and Family Therapy (4)
- MFTH 519: Practicum I (2)
- MFTH 520: Theory I (2)
- MFTH 521: Practicum II (2)
- MFTH 522: Theory II (2)
- MFTH 523: Practicum III (2)
- MFTH 524: Theory III (2)
- MFTH 525: Practicum IV (2)
- MFTH 526: Development of a Personal Integrated Theory (2)
- Elective
- MFTH 527: Extended Practicum V (2)
- MFTH 590: Graduate Seminar (1 to 4)
- MFTH 598: Research Project (1 to 4)
- MFTH 599: Thesis (4)
Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy Courses
MFTH 500 : Human Development
Individual personality development, normal and abnormal manifestations, over the life span. (4)
MFTH 503 : Systems Approach to Marriage and Family Therapy
An introduction to the systems paradigm and post-modern ideas for treatment strategy and intervention. (4)
MFTH 504 : Family Development
Exploration of how family life cycle stages are affected by divorce, remarriage, ethnicity, feminist issues, and other unplanned events. (4)
MFTH 505 : Research Methods in Marriage and Family Therapy
Basic research concepts including formulating research questions, research design, analysis of data, and theory construction. Emphasis on understanding and evaluating rather than conducting research. (3)
MFTH 507 : Comparative Marriage and Family Therapy
Intensive comparative study of the theoretical rationale of the prominent schools of thought within the field of marriage and family therapy. Prerequisite: MFTH 503. (4)
MFTH 510 : Human Sexuality, Sex Therapy, and Couples Therapy
An overview of the diversity of human sexuality, sexual identity and gender identity expression, and a study of basic clinical approaches to individual and relational sexual issues and challenges as well as couples therapy models. Issues of discomfort and biases around sexuality are also addressed. (4)
MFTH 511 : Psychosocial Pathology: Relationship to Marriage and Family
Exploration of the treatment techniques and assumptions of leading family therapists regarding such psychosocial dysfunctions as divorce, family violence, delinquency, psychosomatic symptoms, drug addiction, and disturbed adolescents. Prerequisite: MFTH 503. (4)
MFTH 512 : Professional Studies in Marriage and Family Therapy
Study of professional ethics and Washington State laws which affect clinical practice, including family law, legal responsibilities, and interprofessional cooperation. (4)
MFTH 519 : Practicum I
First semester of practica required as part of the continuous process toward developing specific therapeutic competencies in work with individuals, couples and families. (2)
MFTH 520 : Theory I
First semester of theory taken in conjunction with MFTH 519. (2)
MFTH 521 : Practicum II
Second semester of practica required as part of the continuous process toward developing specific therapeutic competencies in work with individuals, couples, and families. (2)
MFTH 522 : Theory II
Second semester of theory taken in conjunction with MFTH 521. (2)
MFTH 523 : Practicum III
Third semester of practica required as part of the continuous process toward developing specific therapeutic competencies in work with individuals, couples, and families. (2)
MFTH 524 : Theory III
The three semesters of theory taken in conjunction with MFTH 519, 521, and 523 constitute an in-depth study of one approach toward marriage and family therapy with an emphasis on applying theory in practice. (2)
MFTH 525 : Practicum IV
The four semesters of practica are part of a continuous process toward developing specific therapeutic competencies in work with individuals, couples, and families. The practica present a competency-based program in which each student is evaluated regarding: (a) case management skills; (b) relationship skills; (c) perceptual skills; (d) conceptual skills; (e) structuring skills; and (f) professional development skills. Practica requirements include 100 hours of supervision of 500 client contact hours. Faculty are AAMFT-Approved Supervisors or the equivalent and use live supervision and video tapes of student sessions as the primary methods of clinical supervision. (2)
MFTH 526 : Development of a Personal Integrated Theory
The fourth semester of theory taken in conjunction with MFTH 525 is an in-depth study of the student's preferred ideas, style, methods, and values. Students develop an integrated personal approach to marriage and family therapy that synthesizes their learning in the program. (2)
MFTH 527 : Extended Practicum V
For students who wish to complete their required practica in five rather than four semesters. This course is an extension of the previously described practica courses. (2)
MFTH 590 : Graduate Seminar
Selected topics as announced. (1 to 4)
MFTH 598 : Graduate Research Project
To provide graduate students with graduate-level non-thesis research opportunities. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as Project: followed by the specific title designated by the student. (1 to 4)
MFTH 599 : Thesis
To permit graduate students to demonstrate their ability to do independent research. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as Thesis: followed by the specific title designated by the student. (4)