Bethel Seminary San Diego MFT Program
Your educational and career goals play a vital role in selecting the right Bethel Seminary Marital and Family Therapy program. The California Board of Behavioral Sciences has approved many MFT programs across the state. These programs create multiple paths to reach your professional dreams.
Bethel Seminary’s Marriage and Family Therapy options give you the flexibility you need. The Seminary launched five fully online programs last year. The programs brought in 96 new online students, while 87 students chose traditional classroom learning. Bethel’s San Diego campus serves 165 degree-seeking students. The core team includes four full-time faculty members and about 10 staff members, according to Bethel’s Director of Communications.
This guide walks you through the Bethel Seminary San Diego MFT program information. You’ll learn about admission requirements, program structure, specialization options, and certification paths. The program helps you become a qualified marital and family therapist through online or in-person learning formats.
MFT Program Snapshot
Bethel Seminary’s Marriage and Family Therapy program gives you a complete educational experience to prepare you for a rewarding career in therapeutic practice. You’ll need 60 semester credits to graduate, and at least 30 of these credits must be completed on Bethel’s campus.
Students can finish the program in three years with full-time study, or take a more relaxed pace over four years as a part-time student. The total cost runs about $33,000.
The program’s credentials speak volumes. Bethel Seminary holds accreditation from both the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools and the Higher Learning Commission since 1959. The MFT program has earned national accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE).
Students must keep a 2.0 or higher cumulative GPA, while maintaining at least a 3.0 GPA in MFT courses. The final year includes a 300-hour, 9-month practicum where you’ll apply your therapeutic skills in real-life settings. A senior integrative project marks the end of your educational trip.
Bethel’s unique strength lies in blending clinical practice and theory with Christian theology, which prepares you to provide integrated therapy in a variety of settings. The program focuses on cultural intelligence and social justice to help you support people from all backgrounds.
After graduation, you’ll be ready for licensure in Minnesota and most other states. Full licensure requires extra supervised clinical practice and passing the licensing examination. The program’s track record shows excellence, as most students pass the national licensing exam on their first try.
Pathways and Specializations
Bethel Seminary’s Marital and Family Therapy program provides flexible pathways that align with your professional goals and life circumstances. The program stands apart from traditional rigid schedules by offering options that work around your current commitments without sacrificing educational quality.
Students can choose between two main study tracks when they begin their MFT trip. A full-time track lets you complete all degree requirements in three years – perfect for students who can focus entirely on their education. The part-time track extends to four years, making the program more available to working professionals and those with family responsibilities.
Your learning experience combines traditional and modern methods. Classes typically run during afternoons and evenings, while some courses are offered as weeklong intensives in June. This hybrid format mixes face-to-face instruction with online components. Students can complete more than half their coursework from convenient locations.
The program prepares you for various professional opportunities in different work settings. Career paths after graduation include:
- Clinical therapy within mental health centers or nonprofits
- Church-based family ministry roles
- School-based therapeutic services
- Missionary pastoral care positions
- Private practice counseling
The degree serves as a foundation for doctoral studies in related fields for many graduates. MFT career prospects continue to expand, with employment projected to grow 13% between 2024-2034—substantially faster than average for all occupations.
Bethel’s program goes beyond clinical preparation by weaving Christian values throughout the curriculum. The faculty incorporates faith points of view into coursework, which becomes especially evident in the team-taught Theology and Psychological Theory Integrative Seminar. This unique approach helps you develop as an integrated practitioner who can address both psychological and spiritual aspects of human experience.
The program academically prepares you for licensure examinations, though most states require additional supervised clinical practice to achieve full licensure status.
Learning Options and Flexibility
The Bethel Seminary marital and family therapy program offers flexible learning options that help you balance your academic goals with work and family life. You can complete more than half of your studies at convenient locations through a mix of online and face-to-face sessions.
Students get the best of both worlds with this hybrid format. You’ll experience the convenience of online learning and the support of classroom settings. The program schedules most courses in afternoons and evenings to fit working professionals’ schedules. This setup lets you keep your current job while working toward your degree.
Your practicum requirements include 300 hours over a 9-month period in supervised clinical settings where you’ll put your theoretical knowledge to work. This real-life experience helps you build professional competency before graduation.
The program lets you choose your own pace. Full-time students usually finish all requirements in three years, while part-time students take about four years. Most of your coursework and training happens online, except for clinical training intensives.
Bethel University’s marriage and family therapy program is available to students across the country. You won’t need to relocate since there are no residency requirements. This setup works great for people in ministry or volunteer positions who want to boost their counseling skills while keeping their current commitments.
The program understands that graduate students often have full plates. Many balance career duties, ministry work, and family life with their studies. Yes, it is a student-focused approach that makes professional training available to qualified candidates, whatever their location or schedule needs.
Admission Requirements
The Bethel Seminary marital and family therapy program admission process needs you to meet specific academic requirements and complete several steps. You must earn a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. The program also requires at least 9 semester hours in behavioral sciences.
Your application package should have several key documents. These documents include your official college transcripts and a Family of Origin essay (1,500-2,000 words) that describes your personal family experiences. You will also need three references from specific sources:
- A supervisor reference
- A pastoral reference
- A personal reference (from someone who is not a family member)
The admissions team will review your materials and might invite qualified candidates to a group interview. This helps them get a full picture of your academic background and whether you’re suited to a therapy career.
Students who receive acceptance must pay a $100 non-refundable tuition deposit to reserve their spot in the Bethel University marriage and family therapy program. The seminary makes starting the process easier with a free online application.
Why Choose This Program
Bethel Seminary’s marital and family therapy program opens doors to one of the most promising mental health professions in the United States. The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects MFT employment to grow at 13 percent through 2034. This growth creates numerous opportunities for qualified therapists.
The program stands out with its COAMFTE (Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education) accreditation. You’ll receive education that meets strict national standards. This prestigious credential shows employers and clients that your training meets the highest professional standards.
Bethel University’s marriage and family therapy program’s strength lies in how it blends Christian theology with clinical research and practice. You’ll learn to combine spiritual viewpoints with proven therapeutic approaches. This preparation helps you address both the psychological and spiritual aspects of human experience.
The program readies you for several career paths. You can work in clinical therapy, mental health settings, family ministry, parish-based counseling, parachurch ministries, and pastoral counseling agencies. Many graduates choose to pursue doctoral studies in related helping professions.
Academic excellence is key. Students must maintain a 2.0 overall GPA and 3.0 in MFT coursework. The faculty brings both academic knowledge and real-world experience to the classroom. They run their own clinical practices while teaching.
The program’s family systems approach gives you the skills to work with individuals, couples, and families.