Chico State MFT Program
California offers 36 Masters in MFT programs for aspiring marriage and family therapists. But Chico State’s program can turn you from a student into a licensed therapist in just 24 months.
Chico State’s program stands out among California’s many MFT graduate programs. The 60-unit curriculum meets all educational requirements for the Marriage and Family Therapist license under California State law. Students get 400-500 hours of valuable clinical experience by graduation, giving them a strong start in their professional career. The program costs $21,500 and provides great value with quality education at an affordable price.
You’ll find what makes CSU Chico’s MFT program special in this guide. The program features specialized pathways, clear admission requirements, and compelling reasons that make it an excellent choice for your therapeutic career.
Program Snapshot
Chico State’s MFT program runs for three years with a well-laid-out, cohort-based learning model. Students build strong bonds while following a planned course sequence that tracks their personal and professional growth. Classes run Monday through Friday from 8AM to 6PM on a traditional daytime schedule. Students spend about three to four days each week on campus for coursework and clinical training during their first two years.
The program combines three key parts: academic research, clinical practice, and personal growth. Faculty members show students what it means to be ethical, professional, and passionate therapists. Students learn that taking care of themselves and growing personally matters just as much as their academic performance.
Clinical training starts at the on-campus Counseling Training Clinic (CTC), where students get hands-on experience with faculty supervision. This training ends with an off-campus traineeship in the final year, requiring about 20 weekly hours at a local agency. CSU Chico works with more than 20 agencies and has achieved a remarkable 100% placement rate for clinical traineeships.
Students need 225 face-to-face clinical hours to graduate, but most complete nowhere near this minimum. Almost all clinical hours earned during the program count toward California MFT licensure requirements.
The MFT program at CSU Chico is 40+ years old and has trained hundreds of North State counselors and therapists. The program’s success shows in the numbers – more than 90% of graduates pass the LMFT clinical exam on their first try.
The 60-unit curriculum teaches students different theoretical approaches while focusing on core “common factors” that work in all therapy practice. This detailed preparation will give students everything they need to excel in mental health agencies, private practice, and other therapeutic settings in California.
Pathways and Specializations
CSU Chico’s Marriage and Family Therapy program distinguishes itself from other MFT programs in California. Students develop specialized expertise that works in many settings. The curriculum trains you in different theoretical approaches and emphasizes core “common factors” that work across all therapy practices.
Faculty members will prepare you to help Northern California’s rural and multi-ethnic communities. This specialized focus makes the program valuable to practitioners who plan to work in underserved areas where cultural sensitivity matters most.
The program’s theoretical training includes these diverse models:
- Family systems approaches
- Postmodern therapeutic techniques
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Multiculturally sensitive methodologies
- Integrative counseling models
The program teaches you to use a systemic framework that works with individual, child, couple, family, and group therapy contexts. You’ll also become a research and feedback-informed clinician who can evaluate and apply research effectively.
Students progress through the program together in a cohort model. This approach builds lasting bonds between students. Small class sizes of about 18 students give you plenty of chances to work closely with faculty.
Licensed graduates find work in many areas. Marriage and Family Therapists focus on interpersonal relationships and how social contexts affect human behavior. Most graduates work in education, healthcare, non-profit organizations, or start their own private practice.
The program has trained hundreds of North State counselors and therapists in the last 40 years. This creates a reliable professional network that helps new graduates succeed. The program prepares you academically, personally, and professionally to meet the needs of clients from all backgrounds.
Learning Options and Flexibility
CSU Chico’s MFT program uses a cohort model that lets students move through courses together as a group. The program stands out from other California MFT programs by offering a single track – a full-time, three-year program with a well-laid-out course sequence.
The program runs during regular daytime hours. Students come to campus three to four days a week between 8AM and 6PM during their first two years. This setup works best for students who can dedicate themselves to full-time daytime study.
The third year is different because it centers on clinical experience. Students spend about 20 hours weekly at local agencies through a community traineeship program. CSU Chico lets students pick their placement sites based on their career interests instead of assigning them.
The program holds a “Traineeship Forum” each spring where students meet potential community partners. More organizations want to host trainees than there are students available. This gives students plenty of options to choose their clinical experience.
Students thinking about different marriage and family therapy programs in California should know that CSU Chico demands a serious time commitment. The program follows a structured curriculum where basic courses build a foundation and later courses expand on earlier learning.
The cohort model helps students build strong connections throughout their studies. Students with similar goals work together to learn and track their growth. Small classes of about 18 students create a close-knit learning environment where faculty interaction happens regularly.
Admission Requirements
Students who want to join one of California’s top MFT programs need thorough preparation. CSU Chico’s MFT program welcomes new applications each October. The mid-January deadline falls around January 16. The program creates cohorts of 15-20 students and accepts new students only during Fall semesters.
Students must complete four essential prerequisite courses before they start the program. These courses include Research Methods, Developmental/Child Psychology, Statistics, and Abnormal Psychology. Each course should match a 3-unit semester-long class from any accredited school. The program won’t accept courses older than 10 years.
The application package needs several key components:
- Your answers to three specific questions about your therapist career goals
- An updated resume
- Three recommendation letters with at least one professor’s input
- Unofficial transcripts from every college you attended
CSU Chico stands out from other California marriage and family therapy programs because it doesn’t need GRE scores. The admission team looks at your academic record (minimum 2.5 GPA in your last 60 semester units), relevant work history, and how well you match the program’s values.
New students typically submit their applications through Cal State Apply. The MFT program’s supplemental application gathers program-specific materials. Accepted students receive either “conditionally classified” or “classified” status based on their prerequisite completion.
Why Choose This Program
CSU Chico’s MFT program stands out among many others in California. The program’s philosophy centers on the belief that “the most important learning happens through doing”. Students start practicing clinical skills in their first semester instead of just studying theory. This practical approach works well – graduates typically accumulate 400-500 clinical hours that count toward their licensure requirements.
The program’s strength lies in its commitment to developing well-rounded therapists. Faculty members focus on three significant aspects of training: academic research, clinical practice, and personal growth. They believe a student’s self-care and personal development matter just as much as academic success.
Students gain a unique experience at the Counseling Training Clinic. They work with individuals, families, couples, and groups while faculty members supervise their progress. Both university students and community members benefit from these free services.
Career prospects look promising because traineeship sites often become employment destinations after graduation. This makes the transition into professional practice smooth and natural.
The program’s 40-year legacy includes training hundreds of North State counselors and therapists. Graduates thrive in a variety of settings – from educational organizations and healthcare facilities to non-profit agencies and private practices.