California MFT Programs at Biola

California’s MFT programs provide great opportunities for aspiring therapists, especially since the state needs more mental health professionals. Students can choose from more than 40 Board of Behavioral Science-approved Marriage and Family Therapy master’s programs across the state.

Biola University’s Talbot School of Theology has launched an impressive new program in Fall 2020. Students can complete this 64-credit residential program in three to six years, based on their background and course load. The program includes a valuable year-long internship where students gain more than 300 practicum hours with real clients under licensed supervision. Most California MFT programs follow a secular approach, but Biola’s program stands out by combining faith with education in a learning environment that welcomes students from over 40 different countries.

Program Snapshot

Biola University’s MFT program stands out as one of California’s best marriage and family therapy graduate programs with its complete structure and faith-integrated approach. Students need three years to complete the 67-unit program, though they can take up to six years if needed. Classes meet twice weekly between 1:30-7:30pm, with some evening sessions running until 10:20pm. This flexible schedule helps students maintain a healthy balance between studies and personal commitments.

The program is a solid investment in your professional future. Students pay $866 per credit, bringing the total program cost to $50,250. Small cohort sizes of 25-32 students create an intimate learning environment where students build strong relationships with peers and faculty.

The program’s triple accreditation from WSCUC, ATS, and the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) ensures high professional standards. New students can only join in the fall semester, making early application planning crucial.

Clinical training is the life-blood of your education at Biola. The program requirements include:

• A minimum of 300 hours of direct client contact (including 100 relational hours with couples or families)
• At least 100 hours of clinical supervision from program supervisors
• A minimum of 50 hours of MFT relational/systemic supervision using observable data

Personal growth plays a vital role in becoming an effective therapist. Students must complete 30 hours of individual psychotherapy with a licensed professional they choose. Students need to pass a comprehensive evaluation before starting practicum. This evaluation includes a law and ethics exam, skills assessment, and faculty interview.

The program’s Christian foundation shapes its counseling approach. Students learn how being “created in the image of a relational God” influences therapeutic practice. This blend of faith, theory, and clinical skills prepares graduates to work effectively in both religious and secular settings.

Pathways and Specializations

Biola’s Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy program focuses on training therapists who blend Christian theology with professional clinical practice. The program offers a single LMFT track, unlike other California MFT programs with dual licensure tracks. This approach lets Biola concentrate on depth rather than breadth of training.

Students learn three core areas: theoretical knowledge, clinical mental health skills, and spiritual formation. The program builds research-supported counseling abilities and professional ethics with cultural humility. These qualities help therapists treat clients with dignity and respect in different cultural contexts.

This degree opens up career paths substantially. Marriage and family therapy graduate programs California graduates often work in these areas:

• Clinical settings – Working with individuals, couples, and families dealing with relationship conflicts, depression, and anxiety
• Substance abuse treatment – Helping clients overcome dependencies and supporting recovery through family therapy
• Educational institutions – Providing counseling for academic stress, social anxiety, and family issues
• Mental health centers – Managing severe conditions like eating disorders within family contexts

You might also find roles in employee assistance programs, government/legal systems (especially for custody cases), or academic research and teaching. The average salary range varies from $42,000 for residential counselors to over $88,000 for clinical directors.

The program prepares you for California licensure and provides resources to get licensed in other states. Biola’s curriculum meets California’s Board of Behavioral Sciences requirements, qualifying you to pursue licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist after graduation.

Biola’s unique blend of faith, theory, and practice shapes compassionate counselors ready for both Christian and secular settings. This makes it one of the most versatile marriage and family therapy graduate programs California offers.

Learning Options and Flexibility

Biola’s MFT program provides flexible scheduling that works well for professionals seeking advanced counseling credentials. Unlike many online California MFT programs, students attend classes on campus just two days per week. Class sessions typically run between 1:30-7:30pm, though some evening classes may extend until 10:20pm.

The program’s structure balances rigidity and flexibility:

Full-time students can complete the marriage and family therapy graduate programs california pathway in 24 months. The program doesn’t lock you into a rigid cohort system, so you can choose the number of classes that fit your schedule. Your advisor will help customize your course load and sequence based on your circumstances.

A typical 3-credit graduate course needs about 10 hours of your time each week. This time covers both classroom sessions and independent study. Most students take 9 credits to maintain full-time status at the master’s level.

Students pay tuition per credit hour, and financial aid eligibility depends on enrollment level. The program offers part-time options with three-quarter time (7-8 credits) and half-time (5-6 credits) status. This flexibility lets you balance your academic goals with work and personal life.

Your studies will involve theoretical coursework and hands-on clinical experience. The practicum sequence is vital to your education and runs for 12 months with a minimum of 300 clinical contact hours. You’ll receive at least 60 hours of supervision from qualified California Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists during this time.

Students complete two Professional Development Seminars (Pre-Practicum) before starting practicum. These seminars help you practice simple family therapy skills through role-playing, audio-video feedback, and triad participation. This preparation will give you confidence when working with real clients.

The program promotes lasting friendships and professional connections within your cohort. You’ll find a supportive community where everyone grows together.

Admission Requirements

Biola’s MFT program admission depends on academic excellence and a comprehensive application process. Students need a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale. Students with GPAs below 3.0 can submit an extra letter that explains their academic performance to qualify for probationary acceptance.

The program accepts applications until March 15 for fall semester admission. Students who want priority consideration can submit their applications by February 1. International students should submit their applications a month earlier.

A complete application package needs:

• Official transcripts from all previous academic institutions
• Three reference letters that include pastoral, character, and academic recommendations
• Two essays: a Christian testimony (500-700 words) and an autobiographical statement (1,000 words) that explains your MFT career motivation
• Professional resume or CV

Students whose native language isn’t English must prove their proficiency. They can submit a minimum score (90 TOEFL iBT, 7.0 IELTS, or 125 Duolingo) or show proof of a degree from an institution that uses English as its primary teaching language.

The selection process includes interviews with an executive committee, a writing assessment, and a program tour. Candidates also share lunch with faculty, staff and fellow applicants. Students who lack psychology backgrounds must pass an Abnormal Psychology course with a B grade or higher.

Why Choose This Program

Choosing the right program among California MFT programs needs a close look at faculty expertise and program features. Biola’s MFT program stands out with its skilled faculty and distinctive approach to therapist development.

The faculty brings exceptional ground experience to students. Dr. Cayla Bland has taught in Christian higher education for almost 25 years. She maintains her licenses as both a Marriage and Family Therapist and Clinical Professional Counselor. Dr. Kevin Van Lant adds value by combining his clinical psychology expertise with private practice work in treating depression and anxiety disorders.

The program goes beyond academic training. A student shared their experience: “You learn a more comprehensive approach to healing… It really takes care of the mental, physical and emotional part of a person, individuals and families”. This approach sees therapist formation as essential—like “the tree beside the streams of living water”.

The program helps students become culturally competent through experiences with families from different backgrounds. Students learn how race, socioeconomic status, gender, and sexuality affect therapy practice. They also build strong professional bonds with peers who share their drive for growth.

Biola University’s institutional strength shows in its 88% retention rate, ranking it among all but one of these colleges nationwide.