MFT Program at University of San Francisco

Looking to boost your career with an MFT program that champions diversity and social justice? The Marriage and Family Therapy program at the University of San Francisco gives you the complete foundation you need to thrive in the therapeutic field. This program helps create culturally competent therapists and gives you the skills to analyze yourself and your clients in various ecological contexts.

USF’s marriage and family therapist program stands out with its robust 60-credit curriculum. The program has both coursework and supervised clinical traineeship experience in your third year. The program runs on a cohort model with fall entry dates, so you’ll move through your studies alongside a supportive group of peers. Your education spans fall, spring, and summer semesters, which creates a steady learning rhythm. Students who complete the program ended up becoming license-eligible Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT), ready to start their professional practice right after graduation.

Practice View

USF’s MFT program combines Jesuit values with modern therapeutic approaches. The curriculum weaves social justice principles that prepare you to serve people from different backgrounds with cultural awareness and ethical understanding.

USF stands out among marriage and family therapist programs through its blend of academic excellence and ground application. Experienced clinicians teach classes and bring their expertise to students. Small classes allow individual attention and create meaningful connections with mentors.

The program takes a comprehensive view of therapeutic practice. It recognizes that people are part of complex relationship networks and social environments. This approach helps you address your client’s concerns as a whole rather than separate issues.

You will work with innovative research while building practical skills through role-playing, case studies, and supervised clinical work. The program structure builds your confidence in therapeutic abilities step by step before you begin your traineeship.

USF’s MFT program helps you become skilled at self-awareness and reflective practice – key qualities that make therapists effective. You will learn to understand your biases, values, and responses as you become a thoughtful practitioner who creates healing relationships with clients.

Program Snapshot

The Marriage and Family Therapy program at USF offers a complete 60-credit curriculum that prepares you to become a licensed marriage and family therapist. Your degree will qualify you for licensure in California. The program’s quality education lines up with industry standards and holds accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education through 2030.

Students can select either a concentrated two-year program (exclusive to San Francisco campus) or a more relaxed three-year path. The program welcomes students at various locations – San Francisco, Sacramento, Santa Rosa, South Bay, and East Bay campuses.

New students join as a cohort each fall. This approach builds a supportive learning community where students progress together through their coursework. Small class sizes encourage meaningful connections and individual attention.

The San Francisco campus schedules weekday classes in late afternoons (3:45-6:15 p.m.) and evenings (7:20-9:50 p.m.) during fall and spring semesters. Summer sessions feature a six-week intensive format with evening and Saturday classes. Regional campus students typically attend one evening class per week (4-10 p.m.) with occasional Saturday sessions.

Your education includes over 12 months of field training. This hands-on experience prepares you to work in a variety of clinical settings after graduation.

Pathways and Specializations

The MFT program at University of San Francisco gives you two licensure paths to advance your career. You can choose the standard LMFT track or go for the dual LMFT/LPCC track. The dual track needs many more fieldwork hours (280 face-to-face clinical hours versus 150 for the LMFT track).

Your MFT degree opens doors to exciting careers in settings of all types. MFT graduates build successful careers in:

• Community mental health clinics
• Hospitals (psychiatric and medical)
• Educational institutions (K-12 and college counseling)
• Private practice
• Residential treatment facilities
• Substance abuse treatment centers
• Correctional facilities and juvenile programs
• Veterans Affairs clinics

The career outlook looks promising. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports MFTs earned a median annual wage of $63,780 in 2023. This is a big deal as it means that it out-earns other counseling professions. California stands out as a prime location, ranking as a top nationwide location in MFT employment. The state projects a 33% employment growth from 2016-2026.

Your choice between MFT and other clinical programs like social work or mental health counseling should align with your professional goals. Think about which populations you want to serve and how relationships shape individual well-being. This program becomes your ideal foundation if you want to work with relationships, family dynamics, couples, or sex therapy.

Learning Options and Flexibility

USF’s MFT program gives you flexible scheduling options that fit your life and work commitments. You can choose from different locations and formats that match your schedule best.

The San Francisco campus lets you pick between a intensive two-year format or a more relaxed three-year program. Other locations like Sacramento, Santa Rosa, South Bay, and East Bay schedule classes one day per week from 4-10 p.m., with occasional Saturday sessions.

Students interested in academic research can choose the thesis option to prepare for a Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy. This path gives you hands-on research experience needed for doctoral studies.

The program runs on different schedules each semester:

• Fall/Spring: Weekday classes (late afternoon 3:45–6:15 p.m. and evening 7:20–9:50 p.m.)
• Summer: Intensive 6-week format with evening weekday and Saturday classes

The evening and weekend schedule helps many students keep their part-time jobs, though managing full-time work can be tough with traineeship requirements. The program’s partnership with James A. Haley VA will create more practicum opportunities once it receives COAMFTE accreditation, which is predicted in its third year.

Admission Requirements

The path to becoming a licensed therapist through USF’s MFT program requires meeting specific admission criteria. The university accepts applications on a rolling basis until all spaces are filled and recommends submitting completed applications by the priority deadline.

Qualified applicants need a bachelor’s degree with a recommended minimum GPA of 2.75. The program doesn’t require GRE scores. The admissions committee values hands-on experience more than specific prerequisite courses. Time spent volunteering at mental health agencies or similar settings helps you determine if this career lines up with your goals.

Your application package must include:

• Completed online application with $55 fee (waived for information session attendees)
• Unofficial transcripts from all previous institutions
• Statement of Intent (3-5 pages) that describes your field knowledge, connection to social justice mission, and program fit
• Two letters of recommendation from professionals who can evaluate your graduate-level potential
• Current résumé

Qualified candidates participate in either group or phone interviews after initial review. Note that you should clearly specify your preference for the two-year or three-year program option in your application materials.

The admissions committee looks for candidates who demonstrate good fit with the program’s mission and values especially when you have strong alignment with their core principles.

Program Outcomes

MFT program graduates achieve remarkable results after completing their studies. The program’s 100% pass rate on the licensure exam shows how well students are prepared during their education.

The job market looks bright for program alumni. Marriage and family therapists’ employment nationwide will grow 23% from 2016-2026, which is a big deal as it means that it outpaces other occupations. California is one of the highest states for MFT employment with a predicted 13% growth between 2023-2033.

MFTs’ financial prospects look promising. The median annual wage of $63,780 in 2023 nationally exceeded other counseling professions. California’s annual wage of $69,780 makes it the top in the nation.

Students master counseling theories, family systems approaches, and gain multicultural views. The program helps them develop self-awareness and a dedication to lifelong learning.

Graduates learn to help people from different backgrounds in a variety of settings. They become professionals who address mental health needs with ethical practice and cultural awareness. The program prepares you to diagnose and treat client issues ranging from depression and anxiety to family dynamics and relationship concerns.

Why Choose This Program

Selecting the right MFT program shapes your future career, and you need to think over several key factors. USF’s marriage and family therapist programs stand out because they focus on both internal client issues and their vital relationships. You can address problems comprehensively instead of viewing them in isolation with this dual viewpoint.

The program’s collaborative cohort model builds a supportive learning community that lasts well beyond graduation. These professional connections are a great way to get contacts as you build your career network. Small class sizes ensure you get individual attention throughout your educational trip.

The program’s faculty composition makes it an excellent choice. Many instructors work as practicing clinicians who bring their real-life expertise to your classroom. You’ll learn current, practical knowledge along with theoretical foundations.

The program’s steadfast dedication to cultural competence helps you work with people from different backgrounds. This makes you a versatile and sought-after therapist who can work in various settings—from hospitals and substance abuse centers to private practice.