Marriage and Family Therapy, M.A.

Program Director: Cynthia McGrady, Ph.D.

Overview

The intent of the Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) program is to prepare Christian counselors with the knowledge, skill and insight to practice counseling in the church or in clinical settings.  The curriculum encourages the integration of theology, theory, personal formation and professional practice.  Students are expected to engage in their own personal counseling to enhance personal growth, self-awareness and understanding of the therapeutic process in preparation for work in this field.  The program covers the content areas required for state licensure exams and student membership in the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

Student learning objectives shape the curriculum across all degree programs and represent four domains: character formation, confessional commitments, cultural competencies, and relevant skills or capacities. PSLOs 1, 2, and 3 are shared across all Seminary degree programs while PSLOs 4-9 are specific to the MFT program.

1. Demonstrate commitment to live as a disciple of Jesus in Christian community.
2. Articulate commitment to a biblical theological Christian perspective.
3. Interpret diverse cultural contexts of ministry using theological perspectives integrated with social scientific approaches.
4. Practice marriage and family therapy consistent with applicable laws and ethics.
5. Articulate and apply multiple, theoretically-consistent counseling skills.
6. Accurately attend and attune to self, other, and system.
7. Synthesize and interpret relevant clinical, contextual, and scientific data to make accurate professional judgements.
8. Synthesize integrative views of humanity, theology, and counseling to explain human phenomena and promote shalom.
9. Demonstrate effective clinical documentation skills and produce quality academic products.

Credit-Bearing Grades

MFT students taking required COUN courses and courses required for counseling licensure must earn a B- or better.

Locations Offered

Fresno Main Campus