MFT at University of the West

Looking for an MFT program that stands out from the rest? University of the West has the only Buddhist-focused Marriage and Family Therapy curriculum in the nation. The career outlook is bright – experts project a 13% growth in marriage and family therapist jobs from 2024 to 2034. This makes it a perfect time to start your career in this field.

Students who join this MFT degree program experience a deep transformation. The program shapes you into a grounded, ethical, and purpose-driven practitioner who can support others effectively. The program’s small class sizes maintain a 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio. This creates an environment where you get personal attention throughout your learning experience. You can also tailor your degree path by selecting a specialization and completing 12 units in your chosen focus area.

This guide shows how University of the West helps students become licensed therapists in just 24 months. You’ll learn about available pathways, flexible learning options, admission requirements, and compelling reasons that make this program unique.

Program Snapshot

The University of the West’s MFT degree offers a complete 63-unit program that meets all California’s requirements for Marriage and Family Therapist licensure. This curriculum stands out from other programs by blending Eastern wisdom with Western psychological approaches. Students experience a unique educational path that prepares them for a variety of clinical settings.

Students typically finish the program in 2.5 to 3 years. Many complete their studies in just 24 months when they plan properly and enroll full-time. The program’s flexible enrollment allows Fall and Spring start dates, so you can start your path toward becoming a licensed therapist right away.

The program’s WASC accreditation means your degree meets strict educational standards across the United States. The coursework matches the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) requirements, which prepares students for state licensure examinations after graduation.

Students pay an estimated total program tuition of $42,462, which represents great value for a graduate psychology degree. UWest’s MA in Psychology ranked ninth among the most affordable graduate psychology programs in the United States in 2015.

Students complete required supervised clinical training in approved mental health settings. This hands-on experience includes working with individuals, couples, and families. The curriculum builds systematically from foundational knowledge to advanced skills, leading to real-life clinical practice.

Graduation requirements include maintaining a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA and passing a comprehensive exam at the start of the final semester. Each foundation, core, and advanced course demands a minimum B grade, which will give a solid foundation of competencies for effective practice.

This well-laid-out program equips graduates with theoretical knowledge, practical skills, and hands-on experience they need to succeed as Marriage and Family Therapists.

Pathways and Specializations

The University of the West’s MFT degree program offers four specialized tracks that let you focus on your clinical interests. You’ll need to complete 12 units in your chosen area to earn your specialization.

The Generalist track gives you expertise in different therapeutic techniques and theoretical frameworks to work in various clinical settings. The Family Systems & Intergenerational Studies track focuses on relationship dynamics, generational trauma, and culturally sensitive family therapy methods.

Students who want to blend Eastern and Western approaches can choose the Mindfulness-Based Therapy track. This path combines contemplative practices, compassion, and mindfulness in clinical care. The Community Mental Health track helps you work with underserved populations through advocacy, outreach, and trauma-informed care methods.

You can take extra specialization courses beyond your required classes to build your expertise. These optional courses won’t count toward your degree but will add valuable training to your CV/resume that you can’t find elsewhere. Buddhist Psychology and Multicultural Generalist courses run during summer sessions, so they won’t clash with your required coursework.

Your career options after graduation are diverse. MFT graduates work in private practice, substance abuse treatment centers, schools, mental health facilities, employee assistance programs, government agencies, and legal systems. Some graduates choose research or teaching at universities, and others move on to doctoral programs.

Marriage and family therapists have excellent job prospects, with projected growth of 13% from 2024-2034. This is big as it means that the growth rate is much faster than other occupations. Your earning potential ranges from $42,610 to $111,610, depending on your work setting and specialization.

UWest graduates stand out because of their strong foundation in recovery-oriented practice, ethical decision-making through multicultural and Buddhist psychology perspectives, and hands-on experience with contemplative practices and mindfulness-based therapies.

Learning Options and Flexibility

The MFT program at University of the West puts scheduling flexibility at its core. You can balance your studies with work and personal life. The program lets you start in Fall or Spring, so you won’t have to wait long to start your therapy education journey.

Most students finish the 42-unit program in 1.5 to 2 years. The university gives you up to five years to complete it if you need more time. This works great, especially when you have work commitments alongside your studies.

Program features include:

• Flexible scheduling that fits your needs (full-time or part-time tracks)
• Small classes with 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio
• Your own dedicated advisor to help plan your program
• User-friendly online format with 11-week terms

The program’s flexibility extends to your clinical training too. You can complete your practicum and internship in your local community. Faculty will help you pick sites and verify supervisors. Pre-practicum courses get you ready through basic tasks like creating counseling resumes, looking for sites, and preparing for interviews.

Good time management will help you succeed in your MFT degree. Faculty suggest spending 2-2.5 hours on each credit hour. A 12-credit course load needs about 24-30 hours each week for reading and assignments.

The online platform uses the same weekly format in all courses. This makes navigation simple and assignment instructions clear from the start. You’ll take an online orientation before your first term to really understand how everything works.

Your faculty advisor will help adjust your course load if life gets busy. This individual-specific attention helps you move through the program at your own pace. You can maintain academic excellence without getting overwhelmed – that’s what makes University of the West’s approach so student-focused.

Admission Requirements

The University of the West’s MFT program has specific admission requirements that are 10 years old. The application deadline is March 15, which gives you plenty of time to get your documents ready.

You need a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution to qualify, preferably in a related field. The program requires a minimum 3.0 GPA. The good news is that you don’t need GRE scores or any prerequisite courses.

Your application package should include:

• Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions
• Three letters of recommendation from academic or professional references (not relatives)
• Two written statements: an autobiography (200-250 words) and a personal statement about “Why Marriage and Family Therapy at UWest?” (450-500 words)
• A curriculum vitae (optional but recommended)

The department chair might ask for an in-person or telephone interview. After admission, you must show professional behavior consistently. This includes being on time, interacting respectfully, and handling confidential information carefully.

The program requires completion of 63 units with a minimum 3.0 GPA and passing a complete exam. You must earn at least a B grade in each course. The program allows you one chance to retake courses if needed.

Why Choose This Program

The University of the West’s MFT program stands out with its distinctive educational approach. The program blends Eastern wisdom with Western psychological viewpoints to create a detailed understanding of human mind and conditions.

Students in this program gain exceptional skills beyond standard MFT competencies:

• Recovery-oriented practice that places clients at the center of treatment
• Ethical decision-making through multicultural and Buddhist psychology lenses
• Clinical application of contemplative practices
• Clinical therapies from Buddhist psychology (Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy)
• Fundamentals of Emotionally Focused Therapy for couples
• Practical applications of Interpersonal Neurobiology

UWest’s intimate learning environment shines with a 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio. Faculty members give personal attention and help develop every aspect of a therapist’s growth. Small classrooms help students improve their interpersonal awareness and multicultural knowledge—key elements that make therapy work.

The program meets all California Business and Professions Code requirements and readies students for California MFT license examinations. Your career path stays clear and structured. UWest proves its value as the ninth most affordable graduate psychology program in the United States in 2015.

This MFT degree gives you professional expertise and personal development—a rare combination in traditional programs.