Couples and Family Therapy

Christie Eppler, PhD, Director 

The Master of Arts in Couples and Family Therapy (MCFT) program trains systemic therapists. The program prepares graduates to become licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFTs). Under the guidance of clinicians who are state approved and American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) approved supervisors, students are trained to assess, diagnose, consult, and treat relationships and individuals who present with mental health concerns. Students engage in self-of-the-therapist exploration in order to better understand themselves as care providers. Graduates are prepared to clinically heal and empower clients from intersecting social locations (e.g., ethnicities, gender identities, and faith traditions). 
 
Students are required to demonstrate knowledge and skills related to culturally attuned therapy, family therapy theories, professional ethics, research, and evidenced-based practice.  In the second year of the program, students begin a 12-month internship where they partner with an approved clinical site to provide therapy. Students must accrue 400 clinical hours, including 200 relational hours, or therapy with couples, partnerships, families, and kin networks. Students are at their clinical site 14-18 hours per week for face-to-face client contact, supervision, and other clinical work. 

Admission Requirements

Admission is selective. Strong applications will demonstrate knowledge of the profession, experience that indicates an understanding of the strengths and challenges of being in the helping profession, and an appreciation of diversity. 

Fall-start only. Applications are due on January 15th and April 15th. 

Applicants provide the following for consideration: 

• Completed Application for Graduate Admission and a non-refundable $55 application fee (Note: fee waived through fall 2022)  
• Transcripts from the last two years of the baccalaureate degree (60 graded semester/90 graded quarter credits) and any post-baccalaureate course work. Evidence of a four-year equivalent bachelor’s degree, preferably in a liberal arts area, from a regionally accredited institution
• Minimum 3.00 GPA in the last 60 graded semester/90 graded quarter credits.
• Miller Analogy Test (MAT) scores are required if GPA is 3.0 or below. 

• Résumé reflecting professional and/or volunteer experiences in the helping field (e.g., social service, education, or ministry) 

• Two letters of recommendation from professional and/or academic sources (e.g., supervisor, professor). At least one should be from a person who can speak to your ability to work with diverse populations. (Note: Recommendation forms are provided electronically through the application.) 

• A 1000-1250 word personal statement that addresses all of the following: 

• • personal, professional, and academic history and how they have led to your decision to become a couples and family therapist; 
  • professional and career goals; 
  • ways in which social justice and becoming a culturally responsive couples and family therapist align with your professional interests (you may include experience, education/training, and interest in working with culturally diverse populations); 
  • reasons for wanting to study at Seattle University’s Couples and Family Therapy program; 
  • you may explain any special circumstances in your background and/or history and elaborate on any distinctive abilities or achievements. 

• A group interview with MCFT faculty and staff, if selected. 

• Completion of a background check in your current state of residence. The Affiliation Agreements between internship training sites and Seattle University require the University to obtain criminal history background checks on Seattle University students who will provide direct services, or have unsupervised access to, or direct contact with, children under sixteen (16) years of age, vulnerable adults as defined under RCW 43.43.830, and developmentally disabled individuals. More information will be provided once an application is submitted and must be completed before you are accepted to interview.   
• If English is not the applicant’s native language, official English proficiency scores meeting the University’s entrance requirements are necessary. See policy 2008-01 in Admissions Policies for exceptions. 

Transfer Credit

Accepted students may petition to transfer up to 10 graduate credits from a regionally accredited institution (e.g., previous work from a systemic therapy-related degree). These credits are evaluated by the Program Director after admission acceptance. All work toward a degree from Seattle University must be completed within six years. This time limit includes transfer credit.   

Programs

• Master of Arts in Couples and Family Therapy