If you’re considering a career in couple and family therapy, you will find no finer preparation than at Alliant International University's California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP). We offer two degrees in Marriage and Family Therapy: a Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy and Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) in Marriage and Family Therapy. Each degree program features a wide range of benefits, including:

1. COAMFTE accreditation.

Our online master’s program is one of only a small number of Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) programs in California accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education. Our Doctoral program is one of only a few  accredited programs in the state, and it was the first accredited program of its kind in the nation.

2. Career-ready preparation.

Students in the MFT Master’s and Doctorate programs at Alliant receive complete academic preparation to apply for the MFT licensing exam, as well as the Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) licensing exam in California and most other states. Candidates for licensure as an MFT in California are required to complete a total of 3,000 hours of supervised professional experience, at least 1,700 of which must be completed after the completion of the Master’s degree. Candidates must then pass written examinations for licensure. Through coursework and practicum placements, Alliant’s MFT programs can help you prepare to meet these requirements.

3. Cutting-edge specialties.

Students in Alliant’s MFT degree programs have the option to further direct their studies and enhance their skill set by enrolling in graduate certificate programs. Currently enrolled students may take certificate courses as part of their degree studies and then apply for the certification. Students can pick from several fields of growing national interest and importance, including:

• Chemical Dependency (San Diego)
• Gerontology (San Diego)
• Infant-Preschooler Mental Health (Fresno, Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, and Online)
• Latin American Family Therapy (Irvine, Los Angeles, Sacramento, and San Diego)
• LGBT Human Services and Mental Health (Online)

4. Real-world training.

Alliant’s MFT programs offer extensive real-world training at community-based practicum and internship sites with top supervision and a diverse clientele. To help prepare for clinical practice, both programs offer practical skill-based training in addition to theoretical training covered in coursework. The Master’s practicum program requires 500 hours of direct client contact, and the Doctoral program requires students to be continuously involved in the practice of marriage and family therapy. CSPP offers a wide variety of practicum placements, including at community mental health centers, medical settings, and inpatient mental health facilities. Additionally, students in the MFT degree programs will have the ability to pursue psychology internships at a variety of placements.

5. Mentorship by well-known, highly respected leaders in the field.

Many pioneers in the field of couple and family therapy got their start at Alliant’s California School of Professional Psychology. Today, the tradition of strong faculty continues. Many of Alliant’s current MFT faculty members are well-known names in the field of marriage and family therapy, including public policy expert Benjamin E. Caldwell, common factors researcher Sean D. Davis, EFT model developer and world-renowned couple therapist Sue Johnson, and international EFT trainer Scott R. Woolley.

6. A racially, ethnically, and culturally diverse faculty with international academic credentials.

In addition to being leaders in their field, our MFT faculty come from a variety of personal and professional backgrounds and have a wide variety of research interests, including: Asian/Asian-American couple and family therapy, diversity issues, immigrant youth and families' cultural adjustment, bilingual therapy, Native American studies, trans- and intra-cultural/racial couple relationships, and more. (Learn more about the MFT faculty.)

7. A multicultural, international student body, with 30-40% minority representation.

In keeping with its emphasis on multiculturalism, the student body at the CSPP is a mix of students from diverse backgrounds and walks of life.

8. Significant applied research projects driven by student interests.

Students in our MFT programs have the opportunity participate in research projects, as well as make presentations at national conferences.

9. Small classes and a warm, supportive environment.

Numbers vary between programs and campuses, but most class sizes and cohorts for the Master’s and Doctorate programs are small—offering a more intimate learning environment with the opportunity to receive one-on-one training and mentorship from our leading faculty.

10. Flexible schedule, part-time options.

With Alliant’s MFT Master’s Degree Program, you have the ability to earn your degree on a schedule that works for you. In an effort to meet student’s needs, we offer day, evening, and executive-format classes where students attend class one weekend a month at each of our campuses. Our MFT program at our Los Angeles campus now also features a new convenient course schedule that allows students to arrange their schedule so they only have to come to campus one day a week (either Tuesday or Wednesday) from 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., or come to campus twice a week (Tuesday and Saturday) and only take classes in the morning or evening.

If you are interested in learning more about the Marriage and Family Therapy programs offered through Alliant’s California School of Professional Psychology, we encourage you to contact us.