Marriage and Family Therapy, M.A.

Program Director: Cynthia McGrady, Ph.D.

Overview

The Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) program prepares theologically minded counselors with the knowledge, skill, and insight to practice counseling in clinical venues, faith-based treatment centers, and church settings. The curriculum facilitates the integration of Christian theology, psychological theory, character formation, and professional practice. Students are expected to engage in their own counseling to enhance personal growth, self-awareness and understanding of the therapeutic process in preparation for work in this field. The program is approved by the Board of Behavioral Sciences and covers the content areas required for licensure in the state of California.

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