California State University, Chico

M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy

On-Campus

Cal State Chico
400 West First Street
Chico, CA 95929

M.S. Marriage and Family Therapy Program Page

 

Program details below are quoted from program websites, supplied here for informational purposes only, and subject to change at any time. Refer to the program website for current information, deadlines, complete admission requirements, etc. It is the responsibility of the prospective student to verify with program administrators program details and that the program still meets BBS requirements for licensure in the state of California.

Program Snapshot

Accreditation

WASC

Concentrations/Specializations Offered

None

LMFT Track or Dual LMFT/LPCC Track

This three-year program provides an integrated course of study that meets the educational requirements for the Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) license as specified in California State law (SB-33; Section 4980.36).

Length of Program

Three-year, 60-semester unit program

Schedule/Format

We are a traditional “day” program – meaning classes are typically held sometime between 8-5 Mon-Fri. Typically students are in class 2-3 days a week, but will spend more time on campus while completing their practicum. There is no course work in the final year of the program as students are completing their traineeship off-site.

Program Start

Fall

Estimated Total Program Tuition

$21,500

Religious Orientation

None

Entering Class Size and Classroom Size

Cohorts are typically between 15-20 students each fall. We only admit students for the Fall semester. Our classes sizes are typically 15-20 students, with the exception of 1-2 classes that we share with other programs. Those classes are typically closer to 24 students.

Fieldwork Hours Accrued During Program

Students gain hours as a trainee both in our on-campus training clinic via their practicum and in their off campus traineeship. Students gain between 100-150 hours during practicum and supervised by faculty. During their traineeship, students work for as a trainee for a 10-12 months with a local agency. Students are required to obtain 360 hours during their traineeship. We host a traineeship forum every year where our students are recruited by local agencies. We typically have more spots for trainees than we have trainees.

Personal Psychotherapy Requirement During Program

Encouraged but not required.

Comprehensive Exam/Culminating Project/Thesis/Etc:

Students can complete either the MFT Comprehensive Exam or a Masters-level Thesis. The Comp Exam mirrors the CA LMFT licensing exam.

Application Process

Application Deadline

Applications for the MS in Marriage and Family Therapy program for Fall 2023 will open in October 2022.

Tentative application deadline: February 15, 2023.

Undergraduate GPA Required

GRE Requirement

Due to restrictions imposed by the global coronavirus pandemic, the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) requirement is waived for students applying for Fall 2022 admission. Scores from neither the GRE General Test nor the GRE Psychology Subject Test are required. If you do send scores to us we will not accept them and leave them out of the review process.

Prerequisite Courses

The following four courses must be completed before starting graduate classes in the Fall:

  • Research Methods in Psychology

  • Developmental Psychology, Child Psychology, or Child and Adolescent Psychology

  • Statistics for Psychology

  • Abnormal Psychology

When you submit your application, only unofficial transcripts are required. However, prior to enrolling in the Fall, official transcripts reflecting passing grades in all prerequisite courses will be required. If you have not already taken each of these courses, include a plan for completing any missing courses in under the Optional Documents section.

Application Highlights

As part of your application, you will be asked to submit the following documents:

  1. A Statement of Purpose about your professional and personal goals. Limit the length to two typewritten pages, single-spaced. Include:

    1. Your career goals

    2. Your reasons for applying to the program

    3. Please describe any past experiences that you feel make you an ideal candidate for our program

  2. A resume.

  3. Application for Advancement to Classified Status (PDF) (For more information about Classified Status, see the campus policies in the catalog.)

  4. Unofficial transcripts from every college/university attended since high school.

  5. Three letters of recommendation.

    1. Identify three individuals who have agreed to submit a letter of recommendation on your behalf. When you submit your application you will be asked to provide the contact information of your recommenders. For the Marriage and Family Therapy program we are specifically looking for recommenders who are familiar with your academic and professional work. Your three letters should therefore consist of:

      1. At least one letter from a professor familiar with the quality of your work;

      2. If applicable, one letter from a supervisor or employer in either a clinical, research, or other work/volunteer environment;

      3. The third letter may be written by another professor, research supervisor, or by someone in the helping profession.

Interview Requirement

Program Summary

This three-year program provides an integrated course of study that meets the educational requirements for the Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) license as specified in California State law (SB-33; Section 4980.36). The 60-unit program is designed to train exemplary professional therapists to work in public mental health agencies, private practice, and other similar settings. Skill acquisition is emphasized by a strong core of introductory laboratory courses and on-campus practica in our Counselor Training Center (CTC), culminating in an off-campus traineeship at a local agency. Theoretical background and training are provided in a variety of theoretical approaches, with emphasis on core “common-factors” that span all therapy practice. The program is designed to emphasize three overarching facets of clinical training: academic research, clinical practice, and personal experience. Self-care and personal growth are recognized as equally important processes to clinical learning as is academic ability. Program faculty aim to present themselves as models of ethical, professional, and passionate therapists.

Program Objectives

  1. Preparing students to provide mental health services to the population of Northern California by meeting the specific needs of predominantly rural and multi-ethnic communities.Challenging students to continually develop an ethical and professional foundation to their therapy practice, including emphasis on developing a culturally sensitive practice.

  2. Training students to use a systemic framework to conceptualize varied individual, child, couple, family, and group concerns in therapy.

  3. Developing research and feedback-informed clinicians capable of critically evaluating and applying research in practice.

  4. Obtaining skills in the assessment and diagnosis of psychopathology and related clinical issues.

  5. Encouraging students toward personal growth and the development of effective self-care strategies so as to maintain efficacy and longevity in the field;

  6. Helping students place their role as a therapist in the larger healthcare landscape by teaching them effective collaborative skills.