6 Accredited MFT Programs in San Diego That Accept Applications Now
Ready to start your career in a faster-growing field with an MFT program in San Diego? The job market looks promising – Marriage and Family Therapy employment will grow by 41% in the next decade. Now is the perfect time to start this rewarding career.
Several accredited MFT degree options await you in San Diego. National University leads the pack as the first MFT degree program with distance education that received COAMFTE accreditation. The program combines flexibility with comprehensive training. Most students finish their MFT degree full-time in San Diego within two years. Program lengths vary between institutions – from 33 months at some schools to the standard two-year timeframe at others.
Your education will include hands-on clinical training that builds real-world skills. To name just one example, students complete at least 500 hours of practical experience. Some programs help students accumulate around 1,100 hours toward California’s required 3,000 hours for licensure. On top of that, you’ll connect with experienced mentors and build lasting relationships with fellow students throughout your counselor education.
This guide gets into six accredited MFT programs currently accepting applications in San Diego. You’ll find detailed comparisons of their formats, clinical requirements, and unique features to help you choose the right program.
1. National University MFT Program
National University leads the way in Marriage and Family Therapy education. The university has one of San Diego’s most available MFT degree options. As the first institution to receive COAMFTE accreditation for an online MFT program, National University’s 15-year old reputation combines quality education with exceptional flexibility.
Accreditation
National University’s Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy program holds several prestigious accreditations. The program made history as the first online MFT program to receive accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE). The program also earned accreditation from the International Accreditation Commission for Systemic Therapy Education (IACSTE) and approval from the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (CA-BBS). This approval will give graduates the educational requirements they need for MFT licensure in California. The doctoral program also broke ground as the first distance-based PhD program to achieve COAMFTE accreditation. This shows the university’s steadfast dedication to high educational standards at every program level.
Format and Duration
The program’s flexible format works well for working professionals. Students can complete their coursework online without any physical residency requirements and secure clinical placements in their local communities. The Master’s program needs 45 to 60 credit hours, depending on state licensure requirements. Most students finish the program in under 2 years, though completion time ranges from 22-33 months. Students can take 6-8 courses each year, and weekly course starts with no scheduled lecture hours help them balance personal and professional commitments.
Clinical Training
Clinical training is the core of National University’s MFT curriculum:
- Students must complete 300 hours of direct client contact
- At least 150 hours must be relational therapy with couples or families
- Students need to accumulate 100 hours of supervision, including 52 hours with an AAMFT Approved Supervisor
The clinical preparation process combines Clinical Readiness and Site/Supervisor Vetting and Contracting. Students must find their clinical sites, but the MFT Training Team helps them locate appropriate training opportunities in their areas. Clinical training takes at least 52 weeks (one full year), during which students record client sessions for supervision review.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Graduate tuition at National University costs $442 per quarter unit as of March 2022, with 4.5 quarter unit courses priced at $1,989. Another source lists the per-unit cost at $457, bringing the total program cost to about $45,943 with course material fees. The university helps qualified students with various financial aid options, including scholarships, grants, and loans. Students should contact the financial aid office to learn about their options.
Admission Requirements
You’ll need a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution to join National University’s MFT program. The program looks for an overall GPA of 2.5 or a 2.75 GPA in the last 90 quarter units. Of course, students with GPAs between 2.0 and 2.49 might get admitted on probation. The program doesn’t require GRE or GMAT scores.
The application process needs a completed application, current resume, statement of intent, and licensure plan (unless already licensed). Applicants must also interview one-on-one with a faculty member and complete a background check before their first course. Unlike many programs with strict deadlines, National University takes applications year-round. This means students can start their education right away without waiting for cohorts to fill up.
2. University of San Diego MFT Program
The University of San Diego runs a relationship-centered MFT program that focuses on hands-on clinical skills in a rich educational setting. Students learn to see problems from a biopsychosocial point of view. This helps them understand how biological, psychological, and social factors work together to create challenges.
Accreditation
The University of San Diego’s Marital and Family Therapy program has held accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) since 1992. This respected accreditation shows the program meets national standards for family therapy education. The program also meets all California Board of Behavioral Sciences requirements for family therapy training. This makes it a great choice for students who want to practice in California.
Format and Duration
USD’s Master of Arts in Marital and Family Therapy is a non-thesis program. Students need to complete 51 units of coursework and 6.5 units in continuing education. Full-time students who start in fall can finish in two academic years. Students starting in spring need at least two and a half years because practicum placements only begin in summer and fall.
Classes run Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Some early evening options are available. Each course runs twice a year. This lets students plan their schedules ahead of time. While most students study full-time, part-time options can extend the program to three years.
Clinical Training
The clinical training takes place over 12 months in a three-semester practicum sequence during the final year. Students must complete:
- 400 direct client-contact hours (minimum 200 relational hours)
- 100 supervision hours (minimum 50 with raw data)
- Work at a community agency with supervision from agency and faculty supervisors
Students get one hour of supervision for every five hours of clinical work. This lines up with state and national accreditation guidelines. All supervisors at USD and practicum sites are AAMFT Approved Supervisors or meet equivalent standards. Faculty provide supervision in individual and group settings using live and videotaped sessions.
Tuition and Financial Aid
The 2025-26 tuition costs about $1,700 per unit, making the total program cost around $102,000. Students can access several financial aid options:
- Dean’s Excellence Award
- Scott McIntyre Memorial Scholarship ($5,000)
- Diocesan of San Diego Employee Scholarship
- HRSA TeamUP stipend ($10,000) during clinical practicum year
Students can also apply for USD Graduate Grants, Dean’s Graduate Merit Scholarships (up to $25,000 yearly), Federal Direct Loans, and Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loans.
Admission Requirements
Students need a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale from their undergraduate work. The application needs:
- Official transcripts from degree-granting institutions
- Current resume or curriculum vitae
- Two letters of recommendation (one academic and one professional preferred)
- 500-word statement about yourself, career goals, and why you want to study MFT
- Group interview with MFT faculty (for qualified candidates)
Students should finish three prerequisite courses by their second semester: Human or Life Span Development, Counseling or Personality Theories, and Research Methods. Related field experience helps but isn’t required.
After graduation, students register as Associates with the Board of Behavioral Sciences. They need 3,000 hours of clinical experience and must pass two exams to get full licensure.
3. San Diego State University MFT Program
San Diego State University runs a rigorous Marriage and Family Therapy program that blends academic excellence with hands-on clinical experience. The program is notable with its emphasis on multicultural development and social constructionist approaches. Students learn to serve diverse communities effectively.
Accreditation
The Marriage and Family Therapy Program at SDSU holds prestigious accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE). The university also maintains accreditation through the WASC Senior College and University Commission. The COAMFTE accreditation shows that the program meets national standards for training in the field. Graduates find it easier to get licensed in different states thanks to this recognition.
Format and Duration
Students move through the program in groups of about 30. The full-time program runs for 2.5 years and prepares students to become skilled entry-level MFTs. Students study through three summers, starting in early June of the first year and finishing at the end of August in the second year. Classes happen at the main SDSU campus or the Center for Community Counseling and Engagement (CCCE) clinic, just a 7-minute drive from campus.
Clinical Training
Clinical training serves as the substance of SDSU’s program. Here are the main requirements:
- Students must complete at least 300 direct clinical contact hours with individuals, couples, and families
- A minimum of 100 hours must focus on couples and families
- The program needs 100 supervision hours, half of which use live, videotaped, or audio taped methods
- Clinical practice runs for at least 18 months
Students start their clinical work at the Center for Community Counseling & Engagement during their first fall and spring semesters. MFT Trainees spend about 5 hours each week on practicum work under direct supervision. The program requires 8 units of traineeship courses beyond practicum.
Tuition and Financial Aid
The 2025-26 academic year costs $10,794 for simple tuition and fees. This amount rises to $11,372 for 2026-27. Books and supplies ($970-$1,014), housing, transportation, and personal expenses bring the total cost to between $26,198 and $38,938, depending on where students live.
Students can get financial aid for all courses in the program. The SDSU Financial Aid Office helps students find loans designed specifically for special programs.
Admission Requirements
Competition is fierce – only 6-10% of applicants get accepted. Fall 2026 admission deadlines are:
- Cal State Apply application: December 1, 2025
- Official transcripts: December 15, 2025
- Program application & letters of recommendation: December 15, 2025
Domestic applicants need a minimum 2.85 GPA, while international applicants must have at least 3.00. Applications below these minimums won’t be considered.
The detailed application process needs several items beyond standard university admission:
- Resume/CV showing work experience, education, and achievements
- Experience profile using the provided template
- Three letters of recommendation
- Two videos: a 2-minute personal story and a 3-4 minute interview
The program strongly recommends attending information sessions on October 13 or November 5, 2025, due to the competitive admissions process. Selected applicants must attend an in-person interview in early January.
After graduating, students register as Associates with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences and work toward completing 3,000 hours for full licensure.
4. Alliant International University MFT Program
Alliant International University offers one of the most complete MFT educational experiences in San Diego. Students can choose between master’s and doctoral level programs. The California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP) at Alliant helps students become professional marriage and family therapists through intensive theoretical and hands-on training.
Accreditation
The Marriage and Family Therapy program at Alliant International University holds prestigious accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE). The program has earned accreditation from the International Accreditation Commission for Systemic Therapy Education (IACSTE), which partners with the International Family Therapy Association (IFTA). Alliant stands among the few California institutions with COAMFTE accreditation. The university’s PsyD in Marriage and Family Therapy made history as the first COAMFTE-accredited PsyD program in the country.
Format and Duration
The MA in Marital and Family Therapy program needs 60 credit units – 57 core credits and 3 elective credits. Students can complete the program in two years through six semesters or 13 terms, based on their academic calendar. The program gives students flexibility with campus-based and online options. Classes run at multiple California campuses including San Diego, Irvine, Los Angeles, and Sacramento. The online option adds extra convenience. Students who choose the Chemical Dependency Concentration receive the California Association for Alcohol/Drug Educators (CAADE) certificate after completion.
Clinical Training
Clinical training at Alliant centers around the practicum experience:
- Students must complete at least 300 client contact hours, with a minimum of 150 hours working with couples and families
- Trainees receive at least 100 hours of individual and group supervision, with at least 50 hours based on direct observation or audio/videotape
- Students work between 10 and 30 hours weekly at their practicum setting
- Students can accumulate more than 1,000 of the 3,000 hours needed for MFT licensure in California during practicum
Students get weekly supervision that includes 2 hours of group supervision and 1 hour of individual supervision. Students start their training at community-based clinics where they work with couples, families, and individuals under qualified supervision.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Program costs vary by format. The in-person MA program costs about $73,500, while the online version runs around $57,000. Campus-based programs charge $1,434 per unit, and online programs cost $1,113 per unit. Additional fees include a $65 non-refundable application fee and a $130 institutional services fee each semester.
Alliant helps students manage costs through scholarships, grants, part-time employment, and loans from federal, state, and private sources. The financial aid office helps qualified students who need support to achieve their educational goals.
Admission Requirements
Students need these items to join Alliant’s MFT program:
- A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
- A minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale (GPA exemption petitions available)
- A completed online application with $65 non-refundable fee
- A personal essay (2-4 pages) about background, field interest, and professional goals
- A current resume
- Two recommendation letters from references familiar with work or academic abilities
- Official transcripts from degree-granting institutions
- A faculty interview
Students with a GPA below 3.0 whose recent degree isn’t in psychology or related fields must complete prerequisite courses. These include Introduction to Psychology/General Psychology and Human Development/Child Development with a grade of “C” or better.
5. Touro University Worldwide MFT Program
Touro University Worldwide runs a fully online MFT program that’s available to San Diego students who want to study remotely. The 10-year old program helps students become culturally aware, systems-oriented therapists through detailed academic and clinical training.
Program Accreditation
The Marriage and Family Therapy program at Touro holds the prestigious accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE). The program received this recognition in May 2020, which remains valid through May 2026 and is the “gold standard” for MFT programs. The California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) has approved the program, so graduates meet all educational requirements for MFT licensure. Touro University Worldwide also holds accreditation from the WASC Senior College and University Commission.
Format and Duration
Students can choose from three educational tracks:
- Clinical Track (COAMFTE accredited): 72 credit hours (54 coursework + 18 practicum)
- Licensed Professional Clinical Counseling Track: 82 credit hours (adds 4 specialized courses)
- Non-Clinical Track: 54 credit hours (no practicum requirement)
Students can complete courses at their own pace through 8-week asynchronous sessions without mandatory login times or live lectures. The clinical track takes about two years to complete, while the LPCC track needs two and a half years. Students can finish the non-clinical track in just 18 months. New sessions start every eight weeks, with six start dates throughout the year.
Clinical Training
Students in the clinical track must complete 300 practicum client contact hours. They need to spend at least 100 hours working with couples and families. The program also requires 100 supervision hours with site and TUW supervisors, plus 50 “raw data” hours from live or video sessions. Students usually finish their practicum through six courses over one year. Students must find their own practicum sites.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Each credit costs $500, making a 3-credit course $1,500. The total cost depends on your chosen track:
- Non-Clinical Track: $27,000
- Clinical Track: $36,000
- LPCC Track: $41,000
Clinical track students pay a $116 material fee during their capstone course for exam prep materials. Students can get financial support through Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, and special reduced rates for military members, alumni, and partner institutions.
Admission Requirements
You’ll need a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a minimum 2.5 GPA or graduate transfer status with a 2.75 GPA. International students should have a paper-based TOEFL score of 500, computer-based score of 173, or online score of 61. The application costs $25. The university lets you transfer up to 12 credits from other graduate programs.
6. UMass Global MFT Program
UMass Global, previously Brandman University, delivers an unmatched Marriage and Family Therapy program that balances flexibility with professional excellence. The program shapes students into culturally humble, ethical clinicians who serve their communities effectively.
Program Accreditation
The Marriage and Family Therapy program at UMass Global follows the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) guidelines. The curriculum aligns with state requirements that enable graduates to seek licensure in their respective states.
Format and Duration
Students need 60 credits to graduate. Full-time students typically complete the program in 2.5 years, though the university allows up to 7 years to finish. The curriculum combines foundational coursework with practical clinical experience.
Clinical Training
The program’s clinical component requires students to complete 400 hours through six practicum courses. Students must spend 300 hours in direct client interaction, with 100 of these hours dedicated to couples and families. The remaining 100 hours focus on supervision activities.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Qualified students can access various financial aid options including scholarships, grants, and loans.
Admission Requirements
The program’s admission process requires candidates to submit a 3-4 page autobiography that covers their childhood experiences, relationships, cultural influences, academic background, and vocational journey. Previous requirements included recommendation forms from academic instructors or mental health professionals.
Choose the Right MFT Program in San Diego Today
The right MFT program is a vital step toward your professional success in this fast-growing field. In this piece, you’ll find eight accredited programs in San Diego. Each one has its own benefits and ways to teach marriage and family therapy. National University’s innovative online format and SDSU’s intensive cohort model are great examples of different paths to reach your educational goals.
Your program’s accreditation definitely matters. COAMFTE-accredited options like National University, USD, SDSU, Alliant, and Touro ensure quality education. These programs also make it easier to get licensed in different states. Program formats are accessible to more people – some let you start weekly with flexible schedules, while others follow regular academic calendars with cohort-based progress.
Clinical training basics stay similar across programs, though details vary. Most programs need 300-500 direct client contact hours, about 100 supervision hours, and at least 18 months of clinical experience. These hands-on training hours are a great way to get practical skills you need to work as a therapist.
Money is without doubt a big part of choosing your program. Costs vary by a lot – from around $27,000 at Touro University to over $100,000 at USD. Most schools help manage these costs with financial aid, scholarships, grants, and loans.
MFT professionals have excellent job prospects, with 41% growth expected over the next decade. This makes it the perfect time to start your education. You’ll end up finding your ideal program based on what matters most to you – flexibility, cost, reputation, or specialized training.
San Diego’s MFT programs of all types mean you can find one that fits your career goals, learning style, and life situation. After looking at these programs, you have what you need to make a smart choice about your future in this rewarding field.