Marital and Family Therapy

College of Health, Human Services, and Nursing
Department of Marital and Family Therapy

Program Description

The Master of Science in Marital and Family Therapy is a 64-credit degree designed to graduate licensable MFTs (Marriage and Family Therapists) equipped to guide clients toward healing and relational restoration. Informed by systemic orientation, social justice, and evidenced-based practices, our mission is to integrate the science and practice of couple and family therapy, and to equip students with a solid foundation to promote the biopsychosocial, spiritual, and relational well-being of individuals, couples, and families in diverse communities. Furthermore, students will undergo personal development guided by self-of-the-therapist work. The 3-year degree program aims to provide students with the academic, clinical, and professional training, along with 300 client contact hours of applied, supervised clinical practicum, necessary to function as skillful mental health professionals in their local and global communities.

The MFT program is accredited by Western Association of Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) and meets the educational requirements for MFT licensure with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS), according to California Business and Professions Code (BPC) §4980.36. The MFT curriculum aligns with the educational and clinical COAMFTE Standards. The Department permits enrollment in courses solely to students admitted to the M.S. in Marital and Family Therapy program.

Features

The Master of Science in Marital and Family Therapy at CSU Dominguez Hills is one of few publicly supported programs in Southern California that provides curriculum and clinical training that aligns with the educational requirements set by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences required to become a registered Associated Marriage and Family Therapist and accommodates individuals who work during the day through an evening course of study. Students must expand their availability in year two to accommodate traineeship and the Program’s practicum course. The program utilizes a cohort-model which is designed to bring MFT students together with shared goals and skills to learn and progress through the 64-unit full-time, three-year program. The option for a part-time plan of study is only available with advisement and approval from the Department’s program director and chair. The program is committed to diversity as reflected in its mission, students, faculty, and community engagement. The program strives to train students to work with diverse, marginalized communities in inclusive and equitable practices.

Pre-Admission Disclosure for Academic Programs Leading to Licensure or Credentialing

Admission into programs leading to licensure and credentialing does not guarantee that students will obtain a license or credential. Licensure and credentialing requirements are set by agencies that are not controlled by or affiliated with the California State University (CSU) system, and requirements can change at any time. For example, licensure or credentialing requirements can include evidence of the right to work in the United States (e.g., social security number or taxpayer-identification number) or successfully passing a criminal background check. Students are responsible for determining whether they can meet licensure or credentialing requirements. The CSU will not refund tuition, fees, or any associated costs to students who determine that they cannot meet licensure or credentialing requirements subsequent to admission. Information concerning licensure and credentialing requirements are available in the BBS Handbook for Future LMFTs.

The BBS evaluated and determined that the Master of Science degree obtained from the CSUDH MFT program meets state requirements to pursue marriage and family therapy (MFT) licensure in California. However, it is essential to note that each state determines the licensure of MFT. Licensure in California does not denote licensure in other states, provinces, or US territory. The MFT Department advises students to be aware of the limits of portability. The American Association for Marital and Family Therapy (AAMFT) states that portability addresses the “ability to take an individual’s qualifications for a license in one state and apply them for licensure in another state.” As licensure requirements vary from state to state, students interested in pursuing licensure in a state other than California must consider the state licensure requirements. The Department policy on informing students about limits of licensure acquired before students enrolling in the Program. The Program explains and requires acknowledgment of licensure limitations across state-lines in the applicant’s Cal State Apply application to the Program and during New Student Orientation (NSO) before students enroll in any classes. The MFT Department requires all prospective students, before enrolling in Semester one (1) courses, to sign and submit the Disclosure For Academic Programs Leading to Licensure or Credentialing and Licensing Regulation Across States and Provinces included in the appendix to the MFT Department at mftdept@csudh.edu. Additional information concerning variations and limits in licensing regulations across states, provinces, or US territories is available from the California Association of Marriage & Family Therapists (CAMFT).

Academic Advisement

Students currently enrolled in the program receive advising from the faculty advisors. The MFT core faculty maintains current academic and clinical information on licensure guidelines and standards published by the Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS), California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT), Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE), and the Southern California Consortium of MFT programs.

Preparation (Prerequisite Courses)

The following prerequisite courses - Introduction to Research Methods, Theories of Personality, and Abnormal Psychology, or other course equivalents - are required to qualify for admission to the Marital and Family Therapy program. Status of admission is contingent upon the successful completion of all the necessary prerequisite coursework or equivalent course(s). Prerequisite courses must be completed within the last five years.

Admissions Requirements

Completion of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
A grade point average of 3.0 (B) or better in the most recent 60-semester (or 90-quarter) units of upper division course work undertaken as a student
Completion of the Graduate Record Examination General Aptitude (GRE) Test. An average GPA of 3.5 OR attainment of a previous master’s degree waives this requirement
Applicants are required to apply to the University via Cal State Apply, which includes the Department of Marital and Family Therapy Supplemental Application:

Personal Statement/Autobiographical Essay
Writing Sample
Three letters of recommendation
CV/Resume
GRE Test Scores (if applicable)
Official Transcripts submitted to CSUDH
Interview with the admission committee

Classified Standing and Conditionally Classified Status

Students must meet all Preparation requirements for the M.S. in the Marital and Family Therapy Department for consideration for admission with Classified Standing. See the Admission Requirements section for complete requirements for admission to the Marital and Family Therapy program.

Consideration for admission into the program with Conditionally Classiﬁed Standing may be available for students who are insufﬁcient in any admission requirement. Acceptance with Conditionally Classiﬁed Standing permits students to enroll in the University to correct the deﬁciencies while allowing students to take up to nine-semester units of graduate course work towards their degree if granted. Please note that admission to Conditionally Classiﬁed Standing does not guarantee that a student will achieve Classiﬁed Standing required to complete the program.

Requirements for Advancement to Candidacy

Candidacy status requires the successful completion of all Required Courses before the last semester of study. Upon review of students' course completion, the program will authorize students who achieve Candidacy status to enroll in and take the Comprehensive Examination. Candidacy status and eligibility to enroll in the Comprehensive Exam require a successful review of all graduate work by the department administrative coordinator. Consult the section in the catalog entitled Graduate Degrees (https://catalog.csudh.edu/general-information/graduate-degree-postbaccalaureate-studies/) in General Information for complete requirements for Advancement to Candidacy.

MFT Coursework Open Only to those Admitted into the MFT Program

MFT courses are only accessible to students formally admitted into the MFT Program. The MFT Department evaluates and designs its coursework and curriculum to provide a strong foundation for individuals who are interested in a career in marital and family therapy, to satisfy the requirements for licensure as stipulated by the California Board of Behavioral Science (BPC §4980.36), and to meet accreditation standards, which results in comprehensive MFT training. As a result, students not admitted to the program are unable to use these courses as elective courses.

Required Course Sequence

As part of the MFT Department admission, all students agree to adhere to the Program’s Class Sequence. The Program organizes the curriculum to ensure that fundamental courses address foundational knowledge, and subsequent coursework is dependent on the prerequisite semester’s experience. Therefore, failure to take classes in sequence without prior approval may delay admission into practicum and/or graduation. Under exceptional circumstances, students who are permitted to attend the Program part time accept that their expected graduation date will differ from the established study plan.

Cohort Program

The CSUDH MFT program is a cohort program. The cohort model organizes students into peer learning communities to develop shared knowledge, gain better understanding in clinical skills, and progress professionally through the MFT program collectively. This model allows students to learn from a planned sequence of coursework as well as advances their professional and personal growth and development effectively.

B or Better Policy

The MFT department requires students to maintain a level of competence determined as "B or Better" in all courses, in addition to cumulative GPA requirements. The "B or Better" policy requires that students achieve an "A," "A-," "B+," or "B" in a class to receive credit and is a program requirement to advance to subsequent courses. If a student gets any grade less than a B (which includes B-, C+, C, or lower), the student will be required to retake the course. Failure to meet this standard may cause a delay in admission into practicum and could delay the student's graduation. Each class can only be retaken one time; failure to pass a course on a second attempt will result in dismissal from the MFT program.

Assistance to Students with Disabilities

The MFT department provides accommodations for students with disabilities recognized by the Student disAbility Resource Center. The department encourages students who require additional support beyond their identiﬁed accommodations to access the University's resources, such as the Writing Center and University Library Resources.

Professional Conduct

The MFT Program curriculum may encompass controversial topics and perspectives that necessitate in-depth, experiential, and reflective discussions and exercises. The program’s nature necessitates the sharing of personal beliefs and the disclosure of aspects pertinent to students’ cultural, ethnic, religious, or ability-status backgrounds. Students are expected to maintain an environment of respect for their professors and fellow students during these discussions. Professional standards must be upheld while securing a training site through the fulfillment of their commitment. The program perceives the training site as an extension of the classroom, and students are expected to uphold professional standards with clients, clinical supervisors, and the training site.

Students who fail to demonstrate professional conduct may face consequences, including loss of participation, professional points, lower grades, removal from the class, or dismissal from the program. Although not exhaustive, a few examples of professional conduct concerns are disruptive, disrespectful, or insensitive behaviors; misuse or overuse of technology; abandonment of clients; breach of contract with sites; lack of compliance with professional standards set by AAMFT, COAMFTE, or CA BBS; and unwillingness or noncompliance with University or CSUDH MFT Department policies (MFT Handbook, MFT Fieldwork Guide, Site Contracts and Agreements, etc.), attendance concerns, failure to submit coursework or paperwork.

Academic Dishonesty

The department does not permit academic dishonesty. Cheating, plagiarism, and other forms of unethical behavior will result in a student either being penalized by the professor, receiving a failing grade in the course, or dismissal from the MFT program.

Computer Literacy, APA Format, Competence in Writing, and AI

Each course and syllabus in the MFT Program includes requirements for computer literacy speciﬁc to graduate-level standards. The program expects that all students' assignments (papers, reflections, projects, presentation content, etc.) adhere to standards set by the American Psychological Association (APA). Furthermore, the program expects all students to submit current, comprehensive, and accurate documents, forms, or other materials required by the MFT Department. Failure to complete the materials needed may cause a delay in students' graduation. Students should assume that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to complete assignments is prohibited unless explicitly stated by the course instructor. In the event that AI use is permitted by the instructor, students are required to disclose the specific form of AI employed to complete the assignment to the professor.

Career Possibilities

The MFT program’s primary function is to meet the educational requirements set by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BPC §4980.36) to become a Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist. Associate Marriage and Family Therapists can gain employment in the public and private sector, including private practice. Career possibilities include and are not limited to the following: Hospitals with a mental health division, counseling centers at schools, department of mental health, community counseling centers, non-proﬁt counseling centers, dual diagnosis treatment centers, chemical abuse treatment centers, shelters for domestic violence, youth centers, and faith-based counseling centers.

Courses

MFT 400. Foundations to Marital Family Therapy. (3 Units)

The course examines the theoretical underpinnings and fundamental concepts associated with marital and family therapy. Additional focus addresses a breadth of foundational information in the Marital and Family Therapy Program, specifically in the following areas: Research Methods, MFT Theories, and Psychopathology. Repeatable for credit. CR/NC grading.

Offered Summer

MFT 495. Special Topics in MFT. (1-4 Units)

A course designed of special interest topics. Topic of content will vary as announced. Repeatable course

Offered As needed

MFT 496. Internship: Practicum Training Management. (0 Units)

MFT 496. Internship: Practicum Training Management. (0 Units) The Practicum Training Management 0-unit course enables students to organize, gather, manage, and store crucial MFT experiences and information necessary for clinical training and competencies. Through the program's management system, students will document their academic knowledge and clinical skills in practical activities

Offered Fall, Spring, Summer

MFT 515. Pre-Practicum I: Therapy Skills. (2 Units)

Prerequisites: Admisstion to MFT program. Co-requisite: MFT 566, MFT 570, MFT 576 Instructional seminar and demonstration of supervised basic clinical skills, clinical interviewing, assessment, and clinical intervention in the classroom. Emphasis is placed on the therapeutic alliance, the self-of-the-therapist, and collaboration.

Offered Fall

MFT 520. Group Therapy. (3 Units)

Prerequisites: MFT 525, MFT 572, MFT 584, MFT 586. Co-requisites: MFT 575, MFT 578, MFT 580. Course provides students with practical instruction and seminar in theory, therapy process and the use of empirically supported practice in group therapy. Attention is paid to group and contextual factors including age, ability, gender, sexual orientation, culture, and economic status.

Offered Fall

MFT 525. Pre-Practicum II Advanced Therapy Skills. (2 Units)

Perquisites: MFT 515, MFT 570, MFT 566, MFT 576. Co-requisites: MFT 572, MFT 584, MFT 586. Instructional seminar and demonstration of supervised advanced therapy skills in the classroom and in mental health settings with individuals, couples and families. Include assessments, diagnosis, treatment planning, case management, safety planning, clinical documentation, and assessment of legal and ethical issues.

Offered Spring

MFT 530. Community Mental Health. (3 Units)

Prerequisites: MFT 520, MFT 575, MFT 578, MFT 580. Co-requisites: MFT 560, MFT 565, MFT 582. Instruction, seminar and activity in community mental health and case management skills. Emphasis includes competencies in mental health recovery-oriented care and resiliency in community mental health from both traditional and non-traditional MFT practices applying case management and systems of care.

Offered Spring

MFT 541. Practicum in MFT Fieldwork IV. (2 Units)

Prerequisites: MFT 500, MFT 520, MFT 521, MFT 530, MFT 531, MFT 570, MFT 572, MFT 584. Fourth practicum required for program, concurrent with field placement and training experience. 8 hours per week required. CR/NC grading.

Offered As needed

MFT 560. Life Span, Family Development, and Aging. (3 Units)

Prerequisite: MFT 520, MFT 575, MFT 578, MFT 580. Co-requisites: MFT 530, MFT 565, MFT 582. Instruction in family development and human sexuality across the lifespan; includes contextual factors (age, ability, gender, sexual orientation, culture, race/ethnicity, gender, class, socioeconomics). Addresses elder and dependent adults including biopsychosocial impacts of aging, long-term care, and treatment of abuse/neglect.

Offered Fall

MFT 565. Assessment & Mental Health Treatment. (3 Units)

Prerequisites: MFT 520, MFT 575, MFT 578, MFT 580. Co-requisites: MFT 530, MFT 560, MFT 582. A survey and supervised practice in empirically supported assessment to treat primary mental health conditions and common presenting problems in individuals, couples, and families. Includes six-hours hours on suicide prevention, evidence-based suicide risk assessments, treatments, and interventions.

Offered Spring

MFT 566. Mental Health, Diagnosis, and Systemic Treatment. (3 Units)

Required Prerequisite: Admission to MFT program. Required Co-requisites: MFT 515, MFT 570, MFT 576. Studies and analysis of human mental health as it affects the individual, couple, and family functioning. Development, identification, assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, and techniques of common any and serious mental illness will be explored.

Offered Fall, Spring

MFT 570. Theories and Techniques of Marital and Family Therapy I. (3 Units)

Required Prerequisite: Admission to MFT program. Required Co-requisite: MFT 515, MFT 566, MFT 576. Major Marital and Family theories, research and practice used in the treatment of individual, couples and families from a systemic and biopsychosocial perspective.

Offered Fall

MFT 572. Theories and Techniques of Marital Family Therapy II. (3 Units)

Required Prerequisites: MFT 515, MFT 566, MFT 570, MFT 576. Required Co-requisites: MFT 525, MFT 584, MFT 586. A continuation of the major MFT theories, this course includes postmodern and evidence-based practices and techniques in marriage and family counseling applied to treatment of individual, couples and family.

Offered Spring

MFT 574. Human Sexual Behavior. (3 Units)

Advanced study of the psychological, physiological, and sociological aspects of human sexual behavior, with attention to the origin and treatment of sexual dysfunction in its environmental context. Examinations and/or papers used in evaluation.

Offered As needed

MFT 575. Relational Therapy: Treatment of Couples and Partners. (3 Units)

Prerequisites: MFT 525, MFT 572, MFT 584, MFT 586. Co-requisites: MFT 520, MFT 580, MFT 578. Instruction in treatment and assessment strategies necessary to treat couple/partner problem or sexual issues in conjoint therapy. Addresses issues related to age, ability, gender, sexual orientation, culture, race/ethnicity, socioeconomics, and spousal or partner dynamics associated with abuse assessments and interventions.

Offered Fall

MFT 576. Human Communication, Theory, and Skill. (2 Units)

Prerequisites: Admission to MFT program. Co-requisites: MFT 515, MFT 566, MFT 570. Instruction in the purposes, theory, and skills of communication applied to intrapersonal and interpersonal experience. The course addresses personal awareness, self-of-the-therapist, bias, and stereotyping to promote equity and diversity in clinical treatment.

Offered As needed

MFT 578. Treatment Approaches with Children and Adolescents. (3 Units)

Prerequisites: MFT 525, MFT 572, MFT 584, MFT 586. Co-requisites: MFT 520, MFT 575, MFT 580. Treatment focuses on diagnostic and treatment needs of children and adolescents from a systemic perspective to include familial and sociocultural considerations. Emphasis is placed on empirically supported and evidence-based treatment modalities. Includes seven-clock hours on child abuse assessment and reporting.

Offered Fall

MFT 580. Sociocultural Diversity & Marginalized Communities. (3 Units)

Prerequisite: MFT 525, MFT 572, MFT 584, MFT 586. Co-requisite: MFT 520, MFT 575, MFT 578. Diversity factors (age, ability, gender, sexual orientation, culture, race/ethnicity, religion, spirituality, socioeconomics,) affecting human behavior in family and the larger community situated in complex societies. Additional emphasis is placed on clinical competency with diverse, marginalized and under-served populations in California.

Offered Fall

MFT 582. Psychopharmacology and Mental Health Treatment. (3 Units)

Prerequisite: MFT 520, MFT 575, MFT 578, MFT 580. Co-requisite: MFT 530, MFT 560, MFT 565. The impact of psychotropic medications on the behavioral and emotional states of individuals and on their relationships is addressed. Emphasis is placed on the development of vocabulary, basic knowledge of medications, how to assess effects and consultation/collaboration with prescribing physicians.

Offered Spring

MFT 583. Research Methods in Marital Family Therapy. (3 Units)

Prerequisites: MFT 530, MFT 560, MFT 565, MFT 582. Co-requisites: MFT 585, MFT 588, MFT 589. Emphasis will focus developing competencies in critical analysis and evaluation of published research, examining evidence-based research to improve practice, and conducting independent research. Generating hypothesis, research design, data collection, interpretation and utilization of findings in clinical practice will be summarized.

Offered Spring

MFT 584. Law, Ethics, and Professional Practices. (3 Units)

Prerequisites: MFT 515, MFT 566, MFT 570, MFT 576. Co-requisites: MFT 525, MFT 572, MFT 586. Current legal and ethical professional issues in marital and family therapy. Examination and application of BBS and AAMFT ethics and legal responsibilities.

Offered Fall

MFT 585. Treatment of Substance Use, Addiction, and Dependence. (3 Units)

Prerequisites:MFT 530, MFT 560, MFT 565, MFT 582. Co-requisites: MFT 583, MFT 588, MFT 589. Studies of the theories of substance use as they effect and relate to the family system. Explore advanced interviewing techniques, assessment procedures, recovery and relapse prevention, and implementation of evidence-based treatment modalities in family therapy.

Offered Fall

MFT 586. Current Issues in Marital Family Therapy. (3 Units)

Prerequisites: MFT 515,MFT 566, MFT 570, MFT 576. Co-requisites: MFT 525, MFT 572, MFT 584. Current and emerging issues in the field of MFT relevant to advancements in practice and influences on family, local and larger global community. Emphasis in contextual factors such as an economic status, culture, gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and ability.

Offered Spring

MFT 588. Treatment of Trauma with Individuals, Couples, and Families. (3 Units)

Prerequisites: MFT 530, MFT 560, MFT 565, MFT 582. Co-requisite: MFT 583, MFT 585, MFT 589. Treatment of trauma with individuals, couples, and family. Beginning and advanced techniques in assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and crisis intervention of child and elder abuse, domestic violence, rape, disaster, crime, and other trauma will be explored.

Offered Fall

MFT 589. Advanced Therapeutic Approaches and Application. (2 Units)

Prerequisites: MFT 530, MFT 560, MFT 565, MFT 582. Co-requisites: MFT 583, MFT 585, MFT 588. An inclusive survey of major theoretical approaches, integrative psychotherapies, evidenced-based practice, research, legal and ethical issues applied to individuals, couples and families. Case conceptualization, diagnosis, assessment, treatment planning and interventions are demonstrated utilizing vignettes, role play, and video demonstration.

Offered Spring

MFT 590. Career Development, Theory, and Practice. (3 Units)

The course emphasizes career development throughout life, covering theory, techniques, and counseling practice. It examines the interrelationship between diversity factors (such as gender, culture, ethnicity, social class, sexual orientation, and ability), the workplace, and career development.

Offered As needed

MFT 594. Independent Study. (3 Units)

Prerequisites: Consent of the instructor and Program Coordinator. Student must have completed at least twelve semester units. In consultation with a faculty member, the student will investigate in detail current research and scholarship in some area relevant to the field of Marital Family Therapy, or will complete a project involving original and creative research. Content of research will be specific to the program and licensure as an MFT.

Offered As needed

MFT 595. Special Topics in MFT. (1-3 Units)

A course designed of special interest topics. Topic of content will vary as announced. Repeatable course.

Offered As needed

MFT 596. Practicum: Marital Family Therapy Traineeship. (3 Units)

A multi-semester course that encompasses fieldwork training, on-site supervision, and classroom participation. The traineeship spans a minimum of 12 months, requiring at least nine semester units for graduation. The course includes instructional seminars and demonstrations of supervised advanced therapy skills in both classroom and mental health settings, working with individuals, couples, and families from diverse and marginalized backgrounds. It covers assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, case management, safety planning, clinical documentation, and the evaluation of legal and ethical issues, with an emphasis on the development of the therapist's self-awareness.

Offered Fall, Spring, Summer

MFT 597. Directed Reading MFT Comp Prep. (3 Units)

In consultation with the faculty member, completion of readings to prepare for the comprehensive exam. The course is limited to students who have completed one year of courses. CR/NC grading. Course is repeatable for a total of 6 units.

Offered As needed

MFT 599. Comprehensive Examination. (1 Units)

Prerequisite: All Required Courses must be completed excluding Practicum: MFT Traineeship. Registration in MFT 599, Comprehensive Examination, is restricted to students who have advanced to candidacy and completed all prerequisite degree coursework with a grade of B or better and a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0. Students on academic, professional, or clinical probation are not permitted to enroll in MFT 599. Enrollment in this course is necessary to take the comprehensive examination, which assesses content including theories, assessment, diagnosis, treatment, crisis intervention, and law and ethics. The exam requires evidence of the application of theory, practice, and research.

Offered Spring

MFT 600. Grad Continuation Course. (1 Units)

Graduate students who have completed their course work but not their thesis, project, or comprehensive examination, or who have other requirements remaining for the completion of their degree, may maintain continuous attendance by enrolling in this course. Signature of graduate program coordinator required.

Offered As needed

Marital and Family Therapy

Program Description

Features

Pre-Admission Disclosure for Academic Programs Leading to Licensure or Credentialing

Academic Advisement

Preparation (Prerequisite Courses)

Admissions Requirements

Classified Standing and Conditionally Classified Status

Requirements for Advancement to Candidacy

MFT Coursework Open Only to those Admitted into the MFT Program

Required Course Sequence

Cohort Program

B or Better Policy

Assistance to Students with Disabilities

Professional Conduct

Academic Dishonesty

Computer Literacy, APA Format, Competence in Writing, and AI

Career Possibilities

Graduate Programs

Faculty

Courses

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