Loyola Marymount University MFT Program

Want to build a rewarding career in therapy? The LMU MFT program gives you a chance to become both a licensed family therapist and a registered art therapist. Helen B. Lingard founded this unique program that blends visual arts with psychotherapeutic skills. Students learn to use art therapy as a powerful treatment method instead of just adding to psychological processes.

The LMU MFT program’s credentials are recognized by the American Art Therapy Association and the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. You can choose between a two-year or three-year track that fits your schedule and budget. The program’s success is clear – 90% of 2021 graduates are now hired, which shows the strong career prospects ahead of you.

This piece covers everything about the LMU MFT program. You’ll learn about admission requirements, specializations, and other details to help you decide about your future in marital and family therapy.

Program Snapshot

LMU’s Master of Arts in Marital and Family Therapy program uniquely blends visual arts with psychotherapeutic training. Students need 60 semester hours of coursework to earn this degree, which gives them a complete preparation for licensure.

Students can choose between two timeline options. The full-time track takes two years, while a three-year part-time option helps students who need more scheduling flexibility. Both paths follow the same high standards with different scheduling structures.

Clinical training serves as the life-blood of your education through:

• An internship of 840 hours, with 420 hours of direct client contact
• Licensed LMU-approved psychotherapists provide two hours of weekly supervision
• Eleven practicum semester hours count toward degree completion

Students must maintain a “B” (3.0) GPA in both classroom work and internships. Personal development plays a key role too – students participate in personal psychotherapy during their first two semesters.

The program’s strength comes from its faculty of active clinicians who teach from their professional expertise. The program looks beyond academic ability to assess personality traits suited for therapeutic work.

Graduates find work in mental health facilities, community centers, psychiatric hospitals, medical centers, therapeutic schools, residential treatment facilities, and substance abuse programs. The program’s success shows in its job placement rates. To cite an instance, the Class of 2024 saw 78.57% of graduates working in related fields, and 91% secured full-time positions.

Pathways and Specializations

The LMU MFT program stands out with its specialized training in clinical art therapy. Students can become both a licensed marital and family therapist in California and a registered art therapist with the American Art Therapy Association.

This program excels by blending rigorous MFT coursework with complete art therapy training. Students start with foundational marital and family therapy courses to learn theoretical concepts and clinical strategies. The program then builds on this foundation with art therapy coursework that develops expertise in nonverbal therapeutic approaches.

The art therapy specialization builds these key competencies:

• Art processes application skills for therapy with individuals, families, and groups
• Treatment planning using culturally appropriate assessment methods
• Understanding how imagery, creativity, and symbolism reveal challenges and strengths
• Skills to create responsive practices that tackle oppression, privilege, and mental health care access

So, graduates are ready for many career paths in:

• Community mental health centers and outpatient services
• Hospitals and residential treatment facilities
• School settings (K-12)
• Higher education as supervisors or instructors
• Private practice as clinicians or consultants

The program features a unique study abroad chance in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. Students can fulfill degree requirements while experiencing Mexican culture and arts through courses MFTH 620, MFTH 622, and MFTH 629.

The program has managed to keep its accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, as recommended by The Accreditation Council for Art Therapy Education. This accreditation means your credentials will be recognized across the country, opening up career possibilities beyond California.

Learning Options and Flexibility

LMU’s MFT program puts flexibility first. Students can choose between a full-time two-year track and a modified three-year part-time option. This lets you move at a pace that works best with your life and career goals.

Each course builds on what you learned before, creating a step-by-step learning path. Classes run during daytime hours on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Full-time students attend up to three days a week, while part-time students come in up to two days weekly.

The two-year track schedule changes as you progress:

• First semester: Classes three days weekly, mid-morning to late afternoon
• Second semester: Classes two days weekly, plus practicum training
• Final year: Classes one day weekly, with increased practicum hours

The three-year option spreads out coursework more evenly but keeps the same high standards. You’ll still attend classes during the day, but with fewer weekly campus visits. Both tracks need 60 semester hours to graduate.

Clinical training happens alongside your classes through well-laid-out practicums. Spring semester starts with 16 hours weekly, followed by 20 hours weekly in your final year. This schedule helps you build up to 840 total hours, including at least 350 direct client contact hours.

LMU’s program stands out because of its strong ties with Southern California agencies. Many programs make students find their own placements, but LMU places you directly in settings from hospitals to residential treatment centers.

The optional international summer program can add more depth to your education. This chance lets you broaden your cultural understanding while meeting degree requirements. Academic excellence matters throughout your experience. Students must keep a “B” (3.0) GPA overall and score B or higher in each practicum course.

Admission Requirements

The LMU MFT program looks for candidates who meet specific academic and personal qualifications. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a minimum 3.0 GPA is essential. The admissions committee takes an integrated approach to review applications if your GPA falls below this threshold.

Your specialized training needs these foundational prerequisites:

• Psychology Prerequisites: You’ll need 12 semester hours (18 quarter hours) of coursework. This includes developmental and abnormal psychology classes taken in the last five years with a letter grade
• Studio Art Prerequisites: 18 semester hours (27 quarter hours) that show your skills and dedication to various art-making processes

You can complete these prerequisites at any accredited institution. Community colleges and online programs work just as well as traditional universities.

Your application package should include these elements:

• Two recommendation letters that highlight your relevant professional or volunteer experience
• A personal autobiography spanning 10-12 pages that tells your life story and what drives you
• Your art portfolio should showcase 10 images using different media, plus thoughts about one piece
• You’ll need to record a video interview answering four questions. Selected candidates then join a virtual group interview

The program welcomes about twenty students each year. Early submission of complete applications gives you the best chance, which matters since classes run in fall, spring, and summer terms.

After acceptance, you’ll have 21 days to send a $250 non-refundable deposit with your acceptance letter. This amount goes toward your LMU MFT program’s tuition.

Why Choose This Program

LMU’s MFT program ranks among the first in the United States to receive approval from the American Art Therapy Association. The program’s uniqueness stems from its founder Helen B. Langarden, who foresaw art therapy as a core therapeutic method rather than just a supplemental technique.

A small yet dynamic faculty team maintains strong connections within the professional community. These connections create mentorship opportunities that go beyond regular classroom learning. The faculty’s active involvement in current research and community service keeps your education aligned with modern clinical practices.

The program houses its own Helen B. Landgarten Art Therapy Clinic, which serves the community and provides students with hands-on practice space. Students gain practical experience through partnerships with numerous well-established sites across Los Angeles and San Diego.

LMU MFT graduates consistently receive “Good” to “Excellent” ratings from employers, with 100% satisfaction reported for both 2022 and 2023 graduating classes. The program’s stellar reputation prompts institutions to directly contact LMU when seeking graduates for new positions.

Small class sizes foster individual learning approaches during your education. Graduates become part of an accomplished alumni network who now guide clinical and educational institutions in leadership roles.