Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy (MAMFT) (100% Online and Residential)
Leading to Licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist
Program Overview
The Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy (MAMFT) program is designed to provide graduate coursework to those seeking to work with couples and families as a licensed marriage and family therapist. The program emphasizes the development of research-supported clinical counseling skills, while encouraging students to reflect on their personal values, and to grow in maturity. This program is available both residentially and online. However, the online format also requires on campus residential components.
The coursework provided meets the academic requirements for licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) in the state of Texas. Students complete a three semester, 700 hours, practicum and internships I & II in a University-approved counseling setting under the supervision of a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) as part of the degree plan. The successful completion of a comprehensive exam is also required for graduation.
Before becoming an MFT, the graduate must pass the national licensure examination administered by the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Board (AMFTRB) or the State of California marriage and family therapy licensure examination as well as the state Jurisprudence Exam and complete a supervised work experience (3,000 hours) in marriage and family therapy services under the supervision of an LMFT-S.
Requirements
This degree program is 60 hours of graduate coursework. Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0, complete all courses with a grade of “C” or higher, and satisfactorily complete a comprehensive examination.
For students seeking certification or licensure inside the State of Texas: Programs offered at HCU designed to fulfill the educational requirements for a specific professional licensure or certification do meet the educational requirements for the State of Texas.
For students seeking certification or licensure outside the State of Texas: Students seeking certification or licensure from any state other than Texas should check with their state licensing board to determine eligibility. Houston Christian University has not determined whether their program of study meets the students’ state licensure requirements.
*Additional Application Requirements*
In accordance with best practices in the field of mental health counseling, applicants who meet the requirements specified by the graduate school will be invited to an interview and orientation. These interviews are typically held about once per month, and may take up to three hours depending on the applicant pool. Interview spaces are limited and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis; therefore, we encourage you to apply early. We remind you to turn in your application before the deadline set for the semester to which you are applying.
Advantages and Opportunities
The MAMFT program prepares students to work with couples and families in a variety of settings, such as private practices, mental health and counseling centers, hospitals, agencies, and churches.