CSU Fullerton MFT Program
Ready to take your therapy career to the next level with CSU Fullerton’s MFT program? The program’s evening classes fit perfectly into a working professional’s schedule. CSU Fullerton holds the prestigious CACREP accreditation, which sets it apart from most California programs.
Graduates qualify to pursue both LMFT and LPCC licensure. CSU Fullerton’s pricing stands out among California MFT programs. Students pay $625 per unit now, with rates going up to $675 per unit starting Spring 2025. The evening program costs about $39,375, while the traditional program runs at $25,116. The program takes 3 years plus 1 term to complete, giving you a clear path toward your therapeutic career goals.
This piece guides you through your complete experience with CSU’s MFT program. You’ll find details about program specializations, learning formats, and admission requirements. The guide also explains why this program could be your perfect stepping stone to professional growth.
Program Snapshot
CSU Fullerton’s Master of Science in Counseling program prepares students for careers in mental health counseling through comprehensive training. Students need to complete 63 total units to graduate from this program that trains clinicians to serve communities of all backgrounds.
Students can choose between two program paths:
- Traditional Program: This flexible option lets students move at their own pace and usually takes three to five years to complete. The program accepts about 60 students each fall.
- Evening Cohort Program: This path works great for working professionals. The program accepts around 24 students every three years starting in spring. Students move through the program together and finish in three years plus one term.
Both paths follow similar coursework and lead to the same degree. Graduates can pursue Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) credentials in California.
The program’s schedule accommodates working professionals. Traditional program classes meet once a week at 4:00 PM or 7:00 PM during fall and spring semesters, with 2.75-hour sessions. Summer classes run twice weekly from Monday through Thursday at 3:30 PM and 6:30 PM. Evening Cohort students attend classes on Mondays and Wednesdays from 7:00 PM to 9:45 PM during fall and spring terms.
More importantly, the program has earned national accreditation from the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) in clinical mental health counseling. This recognition allows graduates to work with VA and Tricare (military health plan) clients.
Our graduates build successful careers in:
- Community mental health agencies
- Schools and universities
- Hospitals
- Government agencies
- Private practice
The program focuses on anti-racist practices, cultural humility, and social justice advocacy. These elements help professionals serve Southern California’s diverse communities effectively.
Pathways and Specializations
CSU Fullerton’s MFT program offers specialized pathways that meet professional interests and community needs. The program helps you earn dual licensure as both a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) in California.
Your therapeutic expertise grows through these essential areas:
- Advanced human development theories
- Complete assessment techniques
- Ethical and legal frameworks in counseling
- Real-world counseling through practicum experiences
The Ánimo: Latinx Counseling Concentration makes this program stand out. This unique specialization meets mental health service needs within Latinx and Spanish-speaking communities. Students get all required training for LPCC and LMFT licensure in California, along with specialized training based on nationally-approved competencies.
Students who want to join the Ánimo concentration should first apply to the main program. They need to add a specific response about this specialization in their personal statement. The program team will review your concentration application separately after acceptance. You’ll keep your spot in the traditional program if not selected for the concentration.
The Ánimo concentration strengthens three vital areas: your growth as a bilingual and bicultural counselor, your understanding of Latinx cultures, and your skills with interventions for Latinx and Spanish-speaking clients. The Evening Cohort program doesn’t include this specialization.
The program’s strong ties with Southern California’s non-profit organizations are a great way to get clinical training. You’ll start practicing as a clinical mental health counseling trainee in community agencies by your third or fourth semester.
Graduates find career opportunities in a variety of settings like schools, community colleges, universities, clinical agencies, hospitals, businesses, and private practice.
Learning Options and Flexibility
CSU Fullerton’s MFT program adapts its learning options to working professionals. The part-time program gives students two distinct scheduling formats that fit different lifestyles.
Students in the Traditional Program can customize their class schedule based on availability. This flexible option lets you take two to four courses each semester based on your work-life needs. Classes meet once a week during fall and spring. Most sessions start at 4:00 PM or 7:00 PM and run for 2.75 hours. Students who prefer daytime learning can also choose 1:00 PM classes.
The Evening Cohort format provides a well-laid-out schedule. Students move through their courses with the same group and take two classes each semester. Fall and spring classes meet Mondays and Wednesdays from 7:00 PM to 9:45 PM. Summer sessions run from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM with two extra arranged meetings.
Each program takes a different time to complete:
- Traditional Program: Three to five years depending on your pace
- Evening Cohort: Three years plus one term
The cohort model gives students a unique advantage – guaranteed spots in required courses each semester. Students in the traditional program don’t have this guarantee. They might need to adjust their graduation timeline if classes fill up.
Whatever format you choose, every student must complete a practicum experience halfway through the program. This hands-on training needs 15-20 hours weekly at a community mental health agency. It works like a part-time job. The department has picked practicum sites that work well with working students’ schedules.
Both programs require summer sessions. Traditional students need at least one summer session near the end of their program when they see clients during fieldwork. Evening Cohort students take summer classes throughout their trip.
Admission Requirements
Getting into the CSU Fullerton MFT program takes you through a competitive but well-laid-out process. You need to submit applications to both the university and the Department of Counseling.
Your application must have:
- Bachelor’s degree with minimum 3.0 GPA
- Four prerequisite courses with 3.0 GPA minimum:
- Counseling theories
- Abnormal psychology/psychopathology
- Human development/developmental psychology
- Research methods or statistics
You should complete at least two prerequisites before you enroll. The remaining courses can be finished in your first semester. The department looks beyond your academic record to assess if you’ll make an effective counseling practitioner.
You also need to submit:
- Three recommendation letters (one academic)
- Detailed personal statement (approximately 1,000 words)
- Resume/CV highlighting relevant experience
- Interview with department faculty
The GRE is not required for admission. The application deadlines change based on your program format. The Spring Evening Cohort accepts applications from August 1 through October 15.
The Counseling Department’s Admissions Committee makes its decisions based on a complete picture of your application, not just your GPA.
Why Choose This Program
The CSU Fullerton MFT program stands out among California MFT programs with its unique advantages. The program has earned CACREP accreditation—making it one of the few in California with this difference. Graduates can work with VA and Tricare (military health plan) clients.
The program goes beyond academics. Its cohort structure promotes a strong sense of community as you study with the same peer group. Students experience shared learning that reflects the counseling profession’s nature and prepares them for teamwork in practical settings.
Humanistic, relational, and integrative principles are the foundations of the program’s theoretical approach. These principles emphasize respectful, flexible approaches with relationships at the heart of helping encounters. The faculty brings extensive practical expertise to the classroom. Award-winning professors like Matt Englar-Carlson help develop students’ intellectual, cultural, and interpersonal competencies.
Program graduates qualify for positions in:
- Community mental health agencies
- Schools and university settings
- Hospitals and healthcare systems
- Private practice opportunities
Students can prepare for dual licensure as both LMFT and LPCC, which expands their career options. The program’s multicultural emphasis helps counselors understand various ethnic backgrounds, lifestyles, and special needs—especially valuable in Southern California’s diverse communities.