USC MFT Program
Looking to build a career in mental health? The USC MFT program creates a path for you to become a licensed therapist in today’s digital world. This complete graduate program prepares you for career opportunities in various fields and meets all requirements the California Board of Behavioral Sciences has set for Marriage and Family Therapist licensure.
The USC MFT graduate program has earned strong recognition in the field. Eight exceptional USC students received the prestigious Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health Stipend recently. The stipend provides $18,500 and gives students valuable clinical experience in public mental health settings. Their selection from a competitive pool of 390 applications across 24 MFT programs shows the program’s educational excellence. The USC MFT program maintains high standards with selective acceptance rates but offers both traditional and online learning options that fit your priorities. The program’s graduates work in public mental health agencies, school-based mental health, community centers, residential treatment facilities, and private practice, making the USC MFT program cost a worthwhile investment.
The Marriage and Family Therapy program at USC ranks among the best educational paths for future mental health professionals. Students at the prestigious University of Southern California’s Rossier School of Education get the therapeutic skills they need through a well-crafted curriculum that combines theory and hands-on practice.
This graduate program builds on a systems-based approach to therapy. You won’t just study individual psychology. The program teaches you to see clients as part of their larger relational world. You’ll understand how family dynamics, cultural backgrounds, and social environments shape mental health outcomes. This all-encompassing approach helps you work with people of all backgrounds in different settings.
Experienced clinicians and researchers bring their expertise straight to the classroom. These instructors will guide you through family systems theory, psychopathology, human development, couple therapy, and evidence-based intervention strategies. You’ll build practical skills through extensive clinical training opportunities.
USC’s MFT program stands out because of its dedication to social justice and cultural competence. Your studies will show you how society affects mental health. You’ll learn to provide culturally responsive care to underserved communities. This focus on inclusive practice prepares you to serve California’s diverse population effectively.
Students typically complete the program in two to three years, based on full-time or part-time enrollment. This time includes both academic coursework and supervised clinical hours needed for licensure. You can specialize in areas like child and adolescent therapy, trauma treatment, or addiction counseling.
The program keeps its admissions selective to maintain small class sizes and give students personal attention. This selectivity has built a strong reputation with employers and licensing boards. The program’s cost reflects its value as an investment in an eco-friendly, rewarding career path with many job opportunities.
Program Snapshot
The USC MFT program shapes future therapists to thrive in public mental health clinics, schools, and private practice settings. Students can complete this 60-unit program in 2 years full-time or 4 years part-time. The WASC-accredited program schedules classes from Monday through Wednesday, starting at 4 pm.
Students move through the program together in a cohort-based structure. The program admits 30-60 students each year, but keeps class sizes small with no more than 30 students per class. This approach gives students tailored attention throughout their educational experience.
Clinical training requires a minimum of 240 supervised clinical work hours. Students can build up to 1,000 hours toward California’s required 3,000 hours for licensure. The estimated total program cost runs about $122,100. Qualified students can apply for merit-based scholarships between $15,000 and $30,000.
Students who complete the program and meet state requirements can qualify for California’s Marriage and Family Therapy license. USC’s partnership with Tevera software helps students track their path to licensure, which can transfer beyond California.
The program’s results tell a compelling story. 92% of MFT students pass their Clinical BBS Exams, compared to the typical 70% pass rate. The program’s value shows in its outcomes – 91% of graduates say their studies prepared them well for work, and 84% find jobs within six months of graduating.
Pathways and Specializations
USC’s MFT graduate program has specialized pathways that align with your career goals. The curriculum combines research-based knowledge with self-reflection to prepare you for therapeutic roles in a variety of communities.
Your specialization options include:
- Online Marriage and Family Therapy Programs:
- Child and Adolescent Family Therapy
- Couple Therapy
- General Family Therapy
- LGBTQ Couple and Family Therapy
- Medical Family Therapy
- Military Family Therapy
- Systemic Sex Therapy
- Systemic Treatment of Addictions
- Trauma-Informed Systemic Therapy
You can also earn online MS degrees in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. These programs offer concentrations in Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling or Military Families and Culture—both leading to licensure.
This versatile program opens doors to many career opportunities. Graduates work in public mental health agencies, school settings, community centers, and residential treatment facilities. These facilities include specialty practices in substance abuse, eating disorders, and trauma. Many graduates start their own private practices. Others choose teaching positions, pursue doctoral programs, or become authors.
You’ll become part of a close-knit community that provides constructive feedback and lasting professional relationships. This supportive environment helps promote both personal growth and professional development.
Learning Options and Flexibility
USC’s MFT program offers flexible learning formats that work with your life and career commitments. Many graduate students balance various responsibilities, so the program gives you the choice of full-time or part-time enrollment. Students can complete the program in 24 months with full-time study, while part-time options take longer but offer more schedule flexibility.
The program comes in two main formats. Campus-based classes run Monday through Wednesday from 4:00 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. Pacific Time. The online live format holds sessions Monday through Wednesday between 1:00 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. Pacific Time. Summer sessions might start at 11:30 a.m.
The online format shines in its ability to deliver quality education from anywhere. Students get expert teaching and a close-knit community environment. The curriculum helps you become skilled at using digital learning platforms, which proves valuable when providing both in-person and telehealth services.
Hands-on clinical experience stays at the heart of your professional growth. These practical sessions strengthen your critical thinking, case presentation skills, and comprehensive therapeutic understanding. While the program suggests following its standard curriculum order, you can adjust your path with faculty and advisor approval based on your needs.
Reach out to your admission representative who can help create a course schedule that fits your needs.
Admission Requirements
The USC MFT graduate program welcomes applications from students who have earned their bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution or one recognized by a ministry of education. The program offers three application deadlines to choose from. Students who want to be in the running for scholarships should apply by the priority deadline of November 1, 2025. The regular deadline falls on January 15, 2026, and the final deadline is March 15, 2026.
Your complete application needs official transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended. The program won’t accept unofficial transcripts or printouts from student portals. You’ll also need to submit a detailed resume that shows your experiences and achievements that sparked your interest in the program.
The personal statement should be around 2,000 words and must answer four main questions about your Personal Biography, Motivation and Preparation, Suitability for the Field, and Social Justice. You’ll need two recommendation letters – one from someone who has supervised your work and another from a professor who knows your academic capabilities.
Students whose first language isn’t English must prove their English skills with a TOEFL score (minimum 90 iBT) or IELTS score (minimum 6.5). Of course, the California Board of Behavioral Sciences requires you to report any felony or misdemeanor convictions, which could affect your fieldwork options.
Good news about scholarships – you might qualify for USC Rossier funding between $15,000 and $30,000 without filling out extra forms.
Why Choose This Program
The USC MFT program stands out with several key advantages that make it a 20-year old leader in the field.
Local agencies just need more of our students. This creates real job opportunities – all but one of these graduates found work within six months of finishing their degree.
The program’s success is reflected in these impressive statistics:
- 92% of students pass their Clinical BBS Exams, substantially above the typical 70% pass rate
- 98% of alumni say their USC Rossier education prepared them well for their careers
- 91% felt ready for their future jobs after completing their studies
Small cohort sizes make the USC MFT graduate program special. Students build close relationships that promote great discussions and lasting professional networks. You can choose your preferred clinical site for fieldwork placement.
Leading professors and top practitioners serve as faculty mentors to guide your growth in and out of the classroom. So you’ll connect with USC’s prominent Trojan alumni network that provides resilient MFT community support for consultation and job opportunities.
The program’s curriculum blends research-based learning with self-reflection. This helps students become skilled at delivering recovery-oriented care effectively.