Cal State LA MFT Program

Cal State LA’s Marriage and Family Therapy program provides specialized training with state approval from the California State Board of Behavioral Sciences. The program stands out among other California MFT programs with its School-Based Family Counseling (SBFC) focus.

Students need 73-77 semester units to complete this program. The typical completion time ranges from 2.5 to 3 years based on your fieldwork schedule. The program’s structure lets students start their fieldwork in the second year, and most finish it during their third year. The degree costs about $24,380 total. This amount covers four full-time semesters at $4,200 each, a summer semester with two classes totaling $1,980, and two part-time fieldwork semesters at $2,800 each. Students dedicate 15-20 hours per week to practical fieldwork during their second and third years. Graduates become eligible to work as School Counselors in both public and private K-12 schools.

Program Snapshot

Cal State LA’s MFT program stands out from other California MFT programs with its complete structure and multiple credentials. The university has earned accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). The MFT program has approval from the California State Board of Behavioral Sciences, and the PPS/CWA credential program is accredited by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.

Students need 73-77 semester units to complete this School-Based Family Counseling (SBFC) option. The program uses a cohort model that admits 24 candidates each fall. Students move through a carefully planned sequence of classes together. This structure will give students the support they need to finish within 2.5-3 years while building strong relationships.

Classes fit working professionals’ schedules perfectly. Most sessions run during evening hours (4:30pm-7:15pm and 7:30pm-10:10pm), and students need to be on campus 2-4 days weekly. Clinical classes have 12 students, standard courses accommodate 24, and some classes are lecture-sized.

The program gives you multiple professional qualifications. Graduates meet academic requirements for:

• California Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) license
• Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) license
• Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) credential in School Counseling
• Advanced Authorization in Child Welfare and Attendance (CWA) [64]

Cal State LA’s MFT program acceptance rate allows for 24-36 students in each entering class. This selective admission creates smaller cohorts that benefit from personalized attention and stronger learning communities.

This program uniquely trains marriage and family therapists to work directly in public schools and school-based agencies, unlike traditional family therapy models. Students learn family systems-oriented counseling and graduate ready to serve in schools and mental health settings of all types where they can make lasting changes.

Pathways and Specializations

Cal State LA’s counseling department provides multiple specialized pathways. The School-Based Family Counseling (SBFC) option serves as the foundation of the MFT program. This option takes a unique approach that prepares counselors to work in educational systems beyond traditional clinical settings.

Students in the SBFC pathway gain an integrated skill set that combines marriage and family therapy expertise with school counseling competencies. Traditional family therapy models don’t deal very well with school system requirements. SBFC students learn to help children and their families within educational contexts through family systems theoretical frameworks.

Cal State LA’s counseling program includes several other specialization options:

• Rehabilitation Counseling (70-74 units): The program trains counselors to help people with disabilities and encourage engagement to maximize their rehabilitation potential in employment settings
• Applied Behavior Analysis (52-56 units): Students learn behavior analysis principles within a counseling framework, which works well if you plan to practice as a behavior analyst
• School Psychology (72-76 units): The focus remains on psychoeducational development from birth through age 21, and graduates qualify for specialized credentials

The SBFC program emphasizes multicultural competence and social justice orientation. This reflects Cal State LA’s deep roots in East Los Angeles activism and urban community involvement. Students receive training that builds cultural competency in clinical settings.

The program develops three core competencies: clinical treatment and intervention skills, knowledge of systems-oriented and individual counseling theories, and cultural competency in clinical settings. Graduates can pursue diverse careers in educational and mental health settings – a flexibility rarely found in traditional MFT programs.

Cal State LA’s MFT program stands out among California MFT programs. The program’s all-encompassing approach to mental health intervention works with both school and family systems to help children overcome personal challenges and achieve academic success.

Learning Options and Flexibility

Cal State LA’s MFT program caters to working professionals but requires specific time commitments. The program takes a different approach from other California MFT programs. Students attend in-person classes during late afternoons in a well-laid-out, full-time graduate format.

New students take five weekly classes spread over 2-3 days. The typical schedule puts two classes on Monday evenings (4:30-10:00 pm) and one on Wednesday evenings (4:30-7:15 pm). Students attend two more classes on Tuesday or Thursday evenings. Some courses might run on Saturdays.

Hands-on clinical training is a key part of the program. Students get practical experience at the on-campus School-Based Family Counseling Clinic during their first year. They work in co-therapy teams while licensed faculty members supervise them directly.

Students can work while studying, but full-time jobs become difficult to manage with fieldwork requirements. Many second-year students switch to part-time work because practicum needs 15-20 hours each week.

The program limits transfer credits strictly—students can only transfer maximum of 18 semester units from other institutions. The cohort model requires students to take classes with their group at scheduled times.

The program’s evening schedule helps students balance their education with other commitments. While it doesn’t offer part-time or online options like other California MFT programs, its structured approach helps students graduate within the 2½-3 year timeline.

Admission Requirements

Cal State LA’s MFT program follows a highly selective admission process that accepts only 24 students out of roughly 300 yearly applicants. Applicants need to meet the university’s basic requirements – a bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited institution with a minimum 2.75 GPA in their last 60 semester units.

The program requires a detailed application package from candidates. This includes a two-page resume showing relevant experience and a three-page personal statement that outlines career goals and matches with the College of Education’s mission. Candidates must also submit two recommendation letters and unofficial transcripts. Faculty members conduct 20-minute interviews with selected candidates to evaluate their understanding of MFT and School Counseling professions.

Students need just one prerequisite course – Counseling or Psychological Theories – before starting the program. They don’t need this course completed when applying. Psychology graduates meet this requirement automatically. Students who need this prerequisite can take COUN 4500-Counseling Theories during Cal State LA’s summer sessions.

The program’s acceptance rate tends to favor candidates who have 3.0+ GPAs and experience in mental health fields. The program doesn’t require standardized tests like GRE, which makes it available to more people while remaining competitive.

Why Choose This Program

Cal State LA’s MFT program stands out with its School-Based Family Counseling approach. Students learn to work directly in public schools and related agencies. Traditional family therapy models don’t train counselors in school systems, but this program equips you to work with children and families in educational settings.

The program opens multiple professional doors. Graduates can work as School Counselors, Child Welfare and Attendance specialists, therapists in school-based counseling agencies, mental health professionals, and private practitioners after licensing.

This program ranks number one in the United States for student upward mobility. Its focus on cultural competency will give a solid foundation to work in today’s diverse clinical settings.

The program’s cohort model sets it apart. Twenty-four candidates move through their studies together and build strong professional bonds. Students complete their studies in 2½-3 years.

The university has deep roots in East Los Angeles and the surrounding urban area. We focused on training students in culturally competent, social justice-oriented counseling. Faculty members bring exceptional experience in school counseling, CWA, Marriage and Family Therapy, and Clinical Psychology.

The program recognizes a fundamental truth: schools and families shape a child’s life more than anything else.