With this move, the program will transition to a two-year program (56 credits). We remain committed to educating compassionate and competent couples and family therapists who work with clients across cultural locations and faith traditions.
The University of Washington announced that the School of Social Work and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, and the Behavioral Health Institute at Harborview Medical Center are part of a transformational $38 million set of gifts from Ballmer Group to support a broad, collaborative response to the state’s behavioral health crisis.
Seattle University is one of a number of colleges and universities in the state participating in this effort through graduate student financial assistance provided by the Ballmer Group gifts. The grants will support students in multiple accredited graduate programs in mental health counseling and social work in our state, including our program.
“We prepare our graduates to clinically heal and empower individuals and relationships from intersecting social locations – ethnicities, gender identities, faith traditions,” said Dr. Christie Eppler, Director of the Master of Arts in Couples and Family Therapy program. “As we transition to our two-year degree, this is an exciting opportunity to make a difference in behavioral health around the state.”
We train systemic therapistsThe program prepares you to become a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT). Under the guidance of clinicians who are state approved and American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) approved supervisors, you are trained to assess, diagnose, and treat mental health and relationship concerns. You engage in self-of-the-therapist exploration to better understand themselves as care providers. You are prepared to clinically heal and empower individuals and relationships from intersecting social locations (e.g., ethnicities, gender identities, faith traditions).
Classes are taught weekdays and select evenings and weekends. Our Clinical Coordinator and faculty supervisors support you throughout the internship process. You may work part-time throughout the program. However, you need to be available for classes and clinical work during daytime hours. Most classes are taught in person on campus, although many courses use online elements as part of the learning process. We are operating currently under a COVID contingency plan and courses are offered online.
Our graduates work in community agencies, private practice, school settings, and other clinical arenas. They contribute to the field of couples and family therapy by seeing clients, advocating for justice, and participating in professional organizations including the Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) and Washington Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (WAMFT).
Mission
The MACFT program prepares systemic therapists to promote healing, growth, and relational connectedness.
*This mission has been approved by the program and is in the process of being proposed to and approved by the college and university, effective AY22-23.
Student Learning Outcome 1: Students will integrate systemic theories, skills, and research into clinical practice.
Student Learning Outcome 2: Students will provide multiculturally attuned clinical services.
Student Learning Outcome 3: Students will develop legal and ethical competence and adhere to relevant laws and ethical codes.
Student Learning Outcome 4: Students will demonstrate care for self of the therapist and commitment to continued growth.
These outcomes have been approved by the program and are in the process of being proposed to and approved by the college and university, effective AY22-23.
Below is a list of degree requirements for the Master of Arts in Couples and Family Therapy degree.
The Seattle University catalog and course descriptions can be found here. All courses are three (3) credits, unless indicated.
MCFT 5210 Couples and Family Therapy in a Multicultural Context
MCFT 5220 Couples and Family Therapy: Identity and Ethics
MCFT 5230 Ethics and Law in Couples and Family Therapy (1 credit)
MCFT 5470 Human Sexuality
MCFT 5520 Counseling Theory and Techniques
MCFT 5530 Intimate Partnerships
MCFT 5530 Systemic Care Skills
MCFT 5500 Family Therapy Theories
MCFT 5680 Research Methods
MCFT 5690 Research Seminar (1 credit)
MCFT 5710 Psychopathology and Diagnosis
MCFT 5720 Systemic Assessment and Conceptualization
MCFT 5750 Systems of Trauma Treatment
MCFT 5760 Systemic Child and Adolescent Treatment
MCFT 5620 Systemic Development
MCFT 5700 Systemic Treatment of Addictions
MCFT 5550 Clinical I
MCFT 5560 Clinical II
MCFT 5570 Clinical III
MCFT 5580 Clinical IV
MCFT 5601 Clinical Extension, if needed
Minimum credits required for degree: 56
Students who do not complete the clinical requirements for graduation by the end of the clinical sequence (Clinical IV) may be required to take additional clinical courses until requirements are met.
Our Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) accredited program is dedicated to strength-based, systemic, trauma informed care, social justice, and the formation of resilient clinicians.
One of the many benefits of attending a COAMFTE accredited program is that it simplifies the post-graduation licensure application in many states. In Washington State, graduates of COAMFTE accredited programs meet the education requirements for LMFT licensure. Learn more here.
Clinical students are required to become members of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) and the Washington Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (WAMFT).
COAMFTE Student Achievement Criteria Data (SAC) provides graduation, job-placement, and national exam pass rates.
More information on COAMFTE’s Version 12 Accreditation Standards and SAC is available here.
