Simpson University MFT Counseling Programs

Ready to change your career path with one of the most detailed MFT counseling programs? Simpson University’s Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology (MACP) program will prepare you to become a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist or Professional Clinical Counselor in California. You can complete the program in just 24 months.

This focused MFT master’s degree uses a supportive dual cohort model. You’ll move through the program with the same group of students and create an excellent learning environment together. The program meets all Board of Behavioral Sciences licensure requirements for California Business and Professions Code 4980.36. Students learn both theory and practical skills they can apply right away. You’ll gain deep insights into human relationships and understand what shapes them.

The program has a well-laid-out format with classes two nights weekly in seven-week sessions. The curriculum spans 68 total units and has both classroom learning and extensive hands-on practice. This approach ensures you’ll be ready to help couples and families when you graduate.

Program Snapshot

Simpson University’s MACP program stands out from other MFT counseling programs with its well-laid-out format and detailed preparation. This MFT master’s degree has WASC accreditation that ensures quality education meeting professional standards. Each Fall cohort accepts 25 students, which creates an intimate learning environment and gives students tailored attention to boost their educational experience.

The 68-unit curriculum costs approximately $42,160 in total program tuition. This represents a substantial investment, but the quickest two-year timeline helps students move rapidly toward licensure and career advancement.

Students complete between 225-280 supervised clinical hours in their second year. The university partners with over 40 practicum sites in the area. A dedicated practicum coordinator helps students find approved and vetted locations. The university’s annual Practicum Fair in July helps students find preferred clinical training sites that match their professional interests.

The program requires 25 hours of personal therapy beyond technical training. This requirement shows the program’s integrated approach to therapist development. Students become skilled at counseling only when they are willing to understand their own psychological processes.

The MACP Final Capstone Project concludes the student’s trip with scholarly research, analysis, and writing relevant to the counseling psychology field. This project demonstrates academic mastery and bridges the gap to professional practice.

The program’s Christian university foundation offers a unique viewpoint on counseling. It combines faith values with psychological principles while preparing students to serve in a variety of communities. This distinctive approach gives students the tools to handle both clinical needs and deeper existential questions their future clients might face.

Pathways and Specializations

Simpson University’s MACP program lets you get dual licensure as both a Marriage and Family Therapist and Professional Clinical Counselor in California. This detailed preparation creates many career paths in settings of all types once you complete your mft master’s degree.

The job market for MFT graduates looks strong. The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects a 7% increase in social work positions over the next decade, creating about 53,800 new jobs nationwide. California offers exceptional opportunities, with more social workers hired here than the next two states combined.

Your career options after graduation include:

• Clinical Practice Settings: Private and group practices, mental health facilities, treatment programs, and community mental health centers
• Educational Environments: Schools, teaching positions, and content creation for mental health education
• Family-Focused Services: Family service organizations, court-sponsored programs, and specialized child/adolescent therapy
• Specialized Treatment Areas: Substance abuse counseling, crisis response, and trauma intervention

Your mft counseling program also prepares you for new specialties that match today’s social needs. These include technoference counseling (about how technology disrupts relationships), cultural adaptation therapy, and support for various family structures. Geriatric family therapy and digital relationship counseling show promise too. The online therapy market should grow from $15.21 billion in 2025 to $40.14 billion by 2029.

Simpson’s program excels at preparing graduates for faith-based roles while giving them skills for secular settings. Graduates can work well in government agencies, military-related programs, and churches.

Simpson’s training goes beyond basic counseling programs. It includes both individual and systemic approaches. You’ll learn to help couples with communication problems or infidelity, families dealing with parenting challenges or grief, and individuals struggling with anxiety or depression. This versatility creates many professional opportunities after graduation.

Learning Options and Flexibility

Simpson University’s MFT counseling programs strike a perfect balance between structure and adaptability. Students meet twice a week in the evening (6-9 PM) following a cohort model. Some courses take place on online platforms. This setup lets you keep your job while getting your degree.

The program uses innovative technology that won’t require you to completely change your schedule. A webcam and headset will connect you to orientation sessions and Microsoft Teams calls. You’ll also give presentations this way. Professors post their instructional videos on YouTube.

The program’s timeline is fixed but comes with plenty of flexible options:

• Six start dates throughout the year let you begin your MFT master’s degree at your convenience
• Small class sizes give you individual attention and support
• Seven-week accelerated courses help you focus on one subject
• Trusted sites in your community host practicum experiences

Working professionals need a program that fits their life. Your final year includes clinical training at practicum sites under licensed supervision. You’ll put your classroom knowledge to work in real-life settings. Since training happens locally, there’s no need to move or travel far.

The program costs less than what other similar institutions charge. Students get great value from the mix of in-person and online learning while preparing for licensure exams and rewarding mental health careers.

Faculty members bring their real-life experience to both physical and virtual classrooms. Their practical point of view keeps your education relevant to modern therapeutic practices. Students thrive in an environment where academic excellence and personal support go hand in hand.

Admission Requirements

Simpson University’s MFT counseling programs look at your academic background, professional potential, and personal qualities through an integrated admissions process.

You’ll need a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA. The program offers a provisional candidacy option for applicants with GPAs between 2.7 and 2.99 who show strong professional potential.

Students without psychology or social welfare backgrounds must complete these five prerequisites before starting the program:

• Introduction to Psychology/General Psychology
• Statistics OR Abnormal Psychology
• Research Methods OR Abnormal Psychology
• Human Development/Lifespan Development (not child development)
• Theories of Personality OR Theories of Counseling

Abnormal Psychology can count toward either Statistics or Research Methods, but not both. You can apply before finishing these prerequisites, but they must be completed before the program starts in late August.

Your application should include:

• Completed application form
• Personal statement
• Current resume
• Two recommendation letters (one personal, one professional)
• Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended

After reviewing your documents, you’ll meet with the MACP program director(s) for an admissions interview. This conversation helps them learn about your fit with the program’s educational approach and professional standards.

Students recovering from substance addiction must be clean and sober for one year before starting the program and two years before beginning clinical field placement. This requirement will give a solid foundation for handling clinical practice demands.

The fall cohort accepts only 25 students, so early applications have better chances in this competitive program. The university suggests sending unofficial transcripts to check prerequisites before submitting your formal application.

Why Choose This Program

Students need to think over several unique elements when choosing MFT counseling programs. Simpson’s dual cohort model promotes an exceptional learning community throughout your master’s degree experience. You and your fellow students will progress together in a supportive environment that improves your educational journey.

The program’s Christian foundation offers a unique viewpoint on counseling psychology. This special approach gives you the tools to handle both clinical needs and deeper existential questions that your future clients might face. The curriculum stays broadly applicable and prepares you to help various communities effectively.

Simpson’s Client Assessment and Practice Competency requirement makes the program stand out. You’ll present two case summaries of your therapy process to community clinicians before graduation. This real-life evaluation helps build your presentation skills and clinical confidence.

Graduate outcomes show how well the program prepares you for different career paths. Graduates work in private practices, mental health facilities, schools, treatment programs, community agencies, courts, governmental organizations, medical settings, and faith-based institutions. Yes, it is worth noting that some graduates receive substantial stipends when working with underserved populations.

The program arranges its curriculum with California Business and Professions Code requirements. This will give you immediate eligibility for both Marriage and Family Therapy and Professional Clinical Counselor licensure after completion.