Master of Arts in Couples and Family Therapy

We train systemic therapists

The 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). 

Join our cohort model

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.

Equip yourself to be a couples and family therapist in both traditional and innovative therapy settings

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).

You will gain

• Knowledge of the marriage and family therapy profession and a desire to become a licensed couples and family therapist.
• Passion to work with diverse populations.  
• Field experience providing at least 400 hours of supervised clinical treatment to clients at agencies throughout the Puget Sound area. 

Mission

The program is consulting with students, graduates, faculty, staff, and other communities of interests to reinvision our mission statement. Currently, our mission is:

Integrating systems and psychological theories, supervised clinical experience, multifaith insight, and spiritual formation to clinically heal and empower diverse relationships and individuals across faith traditions and cultural locations.

Degree Requirements

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 (revised catalogue with updated coure title and descriptions available July 2021). All courses are three (3) credits, unless indicated.

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.

Accreditation

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.

Professional Memberships

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).

Student Achievement Criteria & Program Policies

COAMFTE Student Achievement Criteria Data (SAC) provides graduation, job-placement, and national exam pass rates.

• MACFT Student Achievement Criteria Data (PDF)
• MACFT Transparent Policies (PDF)

More information on COAMFTE’s Version 12 Accreditation Standards and SAC is available here.