CSU Dominguez Hills MFT Program
Looking for MFT programs in California that lead to great career opportunities? The job market for Marriage and Family Therapists is booming, with growth rates 15% higher than other careers, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data. California offers 36 Masters in MFT programs, and choosing the right one takes careful thought about your career goals.
CSU Dominguez Hills’ MFT program stands out with its detailed 64-credit degree. The program creates licensed Marriage and Family Therapists who can help clients heal and restore their relationships. Students complete this 3-year program with both academic and clinical training. They must also finish 300 client contact hours under supervision during their clinical practicum. Most California MFT programs need 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours. Cal State MFT programs typically take two full-time years after your bachelor’s degree. The actual time might change based on your schedule and commitment level.
This guide walks you through everything about CSU Dominguez Hills’ MFT program. You’ll learn about specializations and admission requirements that can help you decide if this program matches your career goals.
Program Snapshot
CSU Dominguez Hills Master of Science in Marital and Family Therapy’s strong structure sets it apart from other Cal State MFT programs. Students need to complete 64 units of coursework and maintain a minimum 3.0 grade point average. Many California MFT programs offer flexible scheduling, but CSUDH uses a full-time cohort model that students complete within three years.
The College of Health, Human Services, and Nursing houses this program. The Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) has approved it as a qualifying degree for California MFT licensure. The program lines up with the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education’s (COAMFTE) educational and clinical standards.
Evening classes help working students attend the program. Students must be available more in their second year to meet traineeship and practicum requirements. New cohorts begin each Fall semester.
Students complete three semesters of fieldwork (Practica) and gain 300 client contact hours through psychotherapeutic training and experience. Community agencies across greater Los Angeles provide this fieldwork opportunity, where on-site supervisors train and guide students.
The program’s total tuition costs about $20,736, which is nowhere near as expensive as private MFT programs in California. Graduate tuition for 2018-2019 was $7,176 for in-state and $16,680 for out-of-state students.
Students show their competency by completing the MFT 598: Advanced Therapeutic Approaches and Applications course and required culminating assignments in their final term. The program’s final experience has a comprehensive examination. The department recommends students participate in individual therapy, though it’s not mandatory.
Specializations
CSU Dominguez Hills takes a unique path compared to other MFT programs in California. While most schools offer multiple concentration options, this program works differently. Students get complete dual-track preparation that opens up broader professional opportunities instead of formal concentrations or specializations.
The program’s dual LMFT/LPCC track lets students prepare for two different but connected licensure paths in California at the same time. Graduates have much more career flexibility than those from single-license programs.
The program builds on systemic theory, research, and relational practice. Students learn to handle issues of intersectionality, equity, and social justice ethically and thoughtfully. This focus makes it stand out from other California MFT programs.
The program shines in preparing therapists who can tackle systems of oppression. They promote wellness for individuals, couples, and families from underserved communities. Social justice themes spread through every part of the curriculum. Students who want to help marginalized populations will find this program especially valuable.
Graduates can work in many settings:
- Mental health divisions within hospitals
- School counseling centers
- Department of mental health positions
- Community and non-profit counseling centers
- Dual diagnosis treatment facilities
- Chemical abuse treatment centers
- Domestic violence shelters
- Youth centers
- Faith-based counseling settings
The program’s evening format makes it one of few publicly supported programs in Southern California with night classes. Working professionals find this schedule perfect to keep their day jobs while studying. Many people throughout California choose this program to start their marital and family therapy careers.
CSUDH might not have formal specializations, but its thorough training in systemic approaches prepares students well. This Cal State MFT program gives graduates versatile skills that work in many treatment settings with different populations, rather than limiting them to specialized tracks.
Learning Options and Flexibility
CSU Dominguez Hills’ MFT program caters to working professionals with guidelines that set it apart from other California MFT programs. Students move through a full-time cohort model that takes three years to complete. The program builds a learning community where students develop clinical skills and knowledge together.
Students appreciate the program’s evening classes. Most courses run in the evening hours to help students who work during the day. CSUDH stands out as one of the few public MFT programs in California that offers evening classes.
The evening schedule works well initially, but students need more flexibility in their second year. They must balance both traineeship and the program’s practicum course. The practicum requires students to complete three consecutive semesters of MFT 596. Students must earn at least 9 units while they complete 300 client contact hours and 100 MFT clinical instructor-led hours.
Students who can’t study full-time have some options:
- The department’s program director and chair must approve part-time study
- Part-time students graduate later than the standard timeline
- Program completion time varies based on how closely students follow the study plan[121]
The program emphasizes diversity throughout its curriculum. Students receive specific training that highlights diversity in content and process. This training focuses on contextual differences, intersectionality power inequities, and privilege.
Students must understand the program’s licensure limitations across states. They acknowledge these limitations twice – during the Cal State Apply application process and at New Student Orientation before enrollment.
CSUDH provides a structured path among Cal State MFT programs. The program supports working professionals through evening classes and possible part-time study options with approval.
Admission Requirements
Getting into the CSU Dominguez Hills MFT program needs several qualifications to ensure you’re ready for graduate-level work. You must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a minimum 3.0 GPA in your most recent 60 semester units of upper-division coursework. The GRE General Aptitude Test is required, but students with a 3.5 GPA or a master’s degree can skip this requirement.
The application process starts October 1st and closes February 1st. Here’s what you need to do:
- Apply through Cal State Apply, including the supplemental application
- Submit required materials:
- Personal statement/autobiographical essay
- Writing sample
- Three letters of recommendation
- Professional CV/resume
- GRE scores (if applicable)
- Send official transcripts to the Admissions and Records Office
- Complete an interview with the admission committee
Students who meet all requirements get “Classified” standing. Those with missing prerequisites may receive “Conditionally Classified” standing. This lets you take up to nine semester units of graduate coursework while completing prerequisites. The program looks for qualified candidates whose educational goals line up with its mission to train therapists who can work with people from different backgrounds.
Why Choose This Program
The CSUDH MFT program stands out among California MFT programs with its unique features. We designed its cohort structure to bring students of the same level together. This setup helps participants learn from a well-laid-out coursework sequence and track their personal growth.
The job market for Marriage and Family Therapists looks promising with a 15% growth rate compared to other occupations. Graduates can build careers in these settings:
- Outpatient care centers and hospitals
- Employee Assistance Programs
- Schools and social services agencies
- Substance abuse treatment facilities
- Private practice opportunities
The program’s “B or Better” policy demands professional excellence. Students must score an A, A-, B+ or B in each class—beyond just meeting a cumulative GPA. This high standard lines up with what employers want. Agencies feel more confident hiring MFT trainees or associates who meet these grade requirements.
The program’s foundation rests on systemic orientation, social justice, and evidence-based practices. Students learn to merge science with couple and family therapy practice. This approach gives them the tools to support biopsychosocial, spiritual, and relational well-being in a variety of communities.
This Southern California public program ended up providing curriculum and clinical training that meets educational requirements for becoming a registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist.