Loma Linda University

M.S. in Marital & Family Therapy (MSMFT)
M.S. in Marital & Family Therapy/M.S. in Counseling with Drug and Alcohol Counseling Certificate (MS/MS+C)

Campus-Based and Online Options

Loma Linda University
11131 Anderson Street
Loma Linda, CA 92350

M.S. in Marital & Family Therapy (Campus-based) Program Page
M.S. in Marital & Family Therapy (Online) Program Page
M.S./M.S. + Certificate 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

COAMFTE

Concentrations/Specializations Offered

MSMFT

  • Students entering an MS degree program within the Department of Counseling and Family Sciences in academic year 2022-2023 who are interested in obtaining certification in Play Therapy or Drug & Alcohol Counseling will receive a tuition waiver for the certificate program of their choice.

  • The Medical Family Therapy Specialization consists of 6 units of coursework and a 9-month fieldwork experience in an approved healthcare setting.

MS/MS+C

  • The included Drug and Alcohol Counseling certificate allows students to apply for three separate national certificates in substance abuse counseling.

LMFT Track or Dual LMFT/LPCC Track

MSMFT
LMFT (Students in the campus-based program may add 4 units to their program and also sit for the California LPCC.)

MS/MS+C
Dual track

Length of Program

MSMFT

  • On-campus 2-year (full-time) or 3-year (part-time), 90 quarter unit academic program

  • Online 2.5-year (full-time) or 3.5-year (part-time), 90 quarter unit academic program

MS/MS+C

  • 3 years, 121 units

Schedule/Format

MSMFT (campus)
First-year classes are held on Tuesday and Thursday and second-year classes are held on Monday and Wednesday.

MSMFT (online)
For the online MFT MS program, courses use a combined synchronous and asynchronous format. Practicum placements are completed in person and local to the student as available and with approval of the program.

Program Start

MSMFT
On-campus start dates in September and January; online students begin in September.

MS/MS+C
Start dates in September, January, March, and June

Estimated Total Program Tuition

MSMFT
$77,580

MS/MS+C
$104,302

Religious Orientation

Christian environment emphasizing integrated learning, respect for all persons, and compassionate whole person care. We’re a Seventh-day Adventist university integrating health, science and Christian faith.

Entering Class Size and Classroom Sizes

MSMFT (campus)
Usually around 18 (up to 22) admitted

MSMFT (online)
10 admitted in inaugural year, next year will be capped at 15

Fieldwork Hours Accrued During Program

MSMFT
At minimum, 500 clinical hours and 100 direct supervision hours are required. Of the direct client contact hours, at least 200 hours must be with couples and families. Of the direct supervision hours, at least 50 hours must be with raw data (video, audio, and live supervision). For every week in which clients are seen, the student must have at least one hour of individual supervision.

MS/MS+C
Clinical hours overlap and can count for both degrees up to 420 hours. The Drug and Alcohol Counseling certificate requires 200 hours working with substance-related issues. The entire 200 hours may overlap with hours for either MS program.

At graduation, total student hours will range from 450-500, depending on population served while in clinical placement. Students will receive advisement related to clinical hours throughout the program

Personal Psychotherapy Requirement During Program

Unknown

Comprehensive Exam/Culminating Project/Thesis/Etc:

MSMFT
Written comprehensive examination (taken before advancement to candidacy) and an oral examination (taken at the end of the program)

Application Process

Application Deadline

Oct. 1, 2021 – Jan. 15, 2022

Undergraduate GPA Required

Applicants should have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or above (on a 4.0 scale) in bachelor's coursework for at least the final 45 units prior to graduation. Applicants with lower grade point averages will be considered if the last 45 quarter credits (30 semester units) of coursework shows significant improvement or if they have additional attributes that demonstrate preparedness and an appropriate fit for Marital and Family Therapy education. Work and volunteer experiences must be verified by employer/supervisor statements on official agency stationery. Further consideration will also be given to individuals who provide evidence of additional certifications and/or training that illustrate commitment to a career in Marriage and Family Therapy.

GRE Requirement

None

Prerequisite Courses

None

Application Highlights

MSMFT

  • Three letters of recommendation

    • At least two of the recommenders should be current or former professors who know the applicant's academic history, and one of the recommenders can be a current or former employer or supervisor. Recommendations from friends, relatives, or co-workers are not acceptable.

  • A description of their rationale choosing to enroll in the Marital and Family Therapy MS program at Loma Linda University.

MS/MS+C

To begin the process, applicants should submit applications for the MS in Counseling and MS in Marital and Family Therapy. Once admitted into both of those programs, applicants will be directed to submit an application to the Drug and Alcohol Counseling certificate.

Interview Requirement

Individual admission interview with a member of the faculty.

Program Summary

MSMFT

There are two MS in Marital and Family Therapy programs offered at Loma Linda University—one campus-based and one online. The MS in Marital and Family Therapy program aligns with Loma Linda University's vision of transforming lives through whole person care. Our mission is to bring health, healing, wholeness, and hope to individuals, families, and communities through education, research, clinical training, and community service. The MS program accomplishes this by addressing relational needs and concerns of individuals and families over the life course in the contexts of communities and global society.

Both programs are fully COAMFTE (Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education) accredited. This is the national accreditation organization for marriage and family therapy programs throughout the United States. This accreditation ensures that students receive comprehensive academic and clinical training, and that they will be well-prepared to work with individuals, couples, families, children, and adolescents in diverse settings.

MS/MS+C

The Department of Counseling and Family Sciences offers a combined degree in Marital and Family Therapy (campus-based program only) with Counseling (MS/MS). This combined program also includes a Drug and Alcohol Counseling certificate.

This program offers maximum flexibility for those seeking a career in behavioral health. This dual degree program enables students to earn two master's degrees and a certificate in one 121 quarter unit program. Receiving two degrees permits the graduate to sit for licenses (in California) for both a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (issued through the California Board of Behavioral Sciences). The MFT program is nationally accredited through the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE). The included Drug and Alcohol Counseling certificate allows students to apply for three separate national certificates in substance abuse counseling. This dual degree program consists of only 31 units beyond the 90-unit master's degree and may be completed in just under three years of full-time study. Applicants may apply for admission in fall, winter, spring, or summer. Clinical placements are available within the Loma Linda University Health care system as well as local community agencies and organizations. The program is offered within a Christian environment emphasizing integrated learning and compassionate whole person care.