University of San Diego MFT Program

Looking to build a career that’s growing faster than ever? The USD MFT program sets you up for success in a field that will grow 16% from 2023 to 2033 – way above the average for all occupations. Mental health clinicians are in high demand, especially in San Diego, where we’ve seen this trend pick up over the last decade.

California’s MFT field looks promising with about 3,170 job openings expected each year for the next decade. MFT graduates in San Diego earn between $39,000 and $78,290 yearly, with most professionals making around $49,250. The career path looks bright, but you should think about the costs too. A graduate degree from a public institution runs about $11,617 per year.

This guide breaks down USD’s Marriage and Family Therapy program’s key features. You’ll learn about its specializations, flexible learning options, admission requirements, and graduate outcomes that will help you plan your educational trip better.

Program Snapshot

The University of San Diego’s Marriage and Family Therapy program shines among MFT programs in California with its complete structure and clinical focus. Students complete 51 units of coursework and 6.5 units in continuing education. The rigorous curriculum helps students develop practical clinical skills within a biopsychosocial framework.

Students who start in fall can finish the program in two years and graduate in May or August of their second year. Starting in spring means a 2.5-year timeline. Part-time options usually take three years, and students must take six units each semester. The university requires students to complete the program within six years.

The USD MFT program creates an intimate learning environment. Each year welcomes about 30 new students, with classes staying between 15-20 students. Classes mix first and second-year students, which creates natural peer mentorship opportunities.

Students can plan their schedules easily. Classes run Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, with some evening options available. Each course appears twice yearly, mostly in fall and spring semesters, with a few summer offerings.

Clinical training is the key to this program. The final year includes a 12-month practicum at a community agency. Students gather at least 500 direct client contact hours—200+ hours specifically with couples and families. These hours count toward California’s 3,000-hour licensure requirement. Students receive over 200 hours of supervision from faculty and site supervisors.

Students need 25 hours of personal counseling before starting practicum. This requirement includes options like interpersonal, career, family, or pastoral counseling in individual or group settings.

The program concludes with a complete examination in the second year, usually on February’s first Friday. Students face tests in three key areas: Theory & Application, Assessment, and Law & Ethics.

The estimated total program tuition runs $93,300. Students should look into funding options like the HRSA TeamUP Project. This project offers professional development and might provide a $10,000 stipend during the clinical practicum year.

Innovation makes the USD MFT program special. Faculty members have written many articles about curriculum development that became books other programs now use. The program is the only MFT program in San Diego with students working in UCSD Integrated Behavioral Health, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, and Reproductive Medicine.

Graduates work at respected places like Community Research Foundation, Mental Health Systems, Rady Children’s Hospital, San Diego Center for Children, Sharp Healthcare System, and various UCSD healthcare settings. Some alumni have moved on to Ph.D. programs at Florida State University, University of Minnesota, and Virginia Tech.

Pathways and Specializations

The USD MFT program creates unique career paths through specialized training. This program stands apart from other MFT programs with its biopsychosocial, systems approach. The focus lies on relationships and how family dynamics shape daily life.

Six core specialization areas make this program different from other MFT programs in California:

• Family-based Care – Students gain a complete understanding of family relationships’ influence on mental health and well-being. The training prepares them to work in community mental health settings, medical environments, and private practice.
• Integrated Behavioral Health – Strong ties with UCSD School of Medicine let students work with physicians, nurses, and medical residents. USD stands as the only MFT program in San Diego where students work in UCSD Integrated Behavioral Health, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, and Reproductive Medicine.
• Culture, Diversity, and Global Mental Health – Faculty members actively work with local refugees and immigrants. They also train therapists and physicians worldwide in countries like Ecuador, Japan, Portugal, and Jordan.
• Training and Education – The USD MFT program has earned recognition for groundbreaking therapist training. Faculty members have written pioneering books about working in medical settings, coordinating care with physicians who prescribe psychotropic medications, and implementing evidence-based treatments.
• Couple Therapy – Students learn evidence-based approaches to couple therapy and specialized techniques. These help address specific issues such as infidelity and sex therapy.
• Interpersonal Neurobiology – Students learn how family interactions shape stress management abilities. The program also covers parenting’s effects on children’s brain development and emotional health.

Graduates find many career paths after completion. Clinical settings provide opportunities to counsel couples, families, and individuals with issues from marital conflicts to depression and anxiety. Others find rewarding roles in substance abuse treatment centers, educational institutions, mental health centers, and employee assistance programs.

Government and legal systems offer opportunities to counsel families in custody cases or help individuals reintegrate after incarceration. Academic careers lead to research and teaching positions, with some graduates pursuing doctoral studies.

The training structure has 51 units of coursework plus 6.5 units in continuing education. Students complete a comprehensive written examination. Clinical preparation involves a 12-month practicum with 500 direct client contact hours. At least 250 of these hours focus on couples and families.

The curriculum doesn’t list formal concentrations. However, accreditation from the California Board of Behavioral Sciences and the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy (COAMFTE) ensures the highest professional training standards in the field.

Learning Options and Flexibility

The USD MFT program lets you customize your studies to fit your career goals and life situation. Your completion time depends on when you start and how fast you want to go. Students who begin in fall can graduate in two years. Those starting in spring need at least two and a half years because practicum placements only start in summer and fall.

You’ll find the class schedule works around your needs. Classes run weekdays from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, and some classes meet in early evening. Each course runs twice a year, mostly in fall and spring, with a few summer options. This schedule helps you plan your studies ahead of time.

Students come to the program from many different fields:

• Family studies
• Psychology
• Communications
• English
• Sociology

While most students study full-time in the USD MFT program, you can choose part-time if you have other commitments. Part-time students take six units each semester and often work in mental health jobs while studying. Whatever path you choose, university rules say you must finish the program within six years.

Small classes make learning more personal. About 30 new students join each year, and classes stay between 15-20 students. First and second-year students often learn together, which creates great opportunities to share knowledge across years.

The program gives you room to grow. Expert faculty guide you as you shape your academic experience. Everyone takes research and statistics, but you can choose when to take courses and which ones interest you most. This freedom to customize your studies makes this program different from other MFT programs in California.

Your clinical training includes a 12-month practicum at community sites, where you’ll work toward the 3,000 hours needed for California MFT licensure. You can pick from approved agencies and sites that match what interests you, giving you one more way to make your studies your own.

Among MFT programs San Diego offers, this one stands out because of its hands-on opportunities. Working in community agencies during practicum means you’ll graduate with both theoretical knowledge and real experience helping different types of people.

Admission Requirements

The USD MFT program looks at several key factors to admit candidates who show promise in academic work and clinical practice. A comprehensive review by the admissions committee looks at your academic history, professional experience, personal statements, and recommendation letters.

You’ll need a bachelor’s degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale. The program welcomes students from a variety of educational backgrounds beyond psychology. Many students have succeeded coming from teaching, nursing, business, and marketing backgrounds.

Your application package must include:

• Official transcripts from your degree-granting institution
• Current resume or curriculum vitae highlighting relevant experiences
• Two letters of recommendation (ideally one academic and one professional)
• A 500-word maximum statement of purpose describing your career goals and motivation to pursue MFT studies

Qualified candidates who pass the first review move on to a group interview with MFT faculty—a unique feature among MFT programs in California. This interview helps the faculty assess your interpersonal skills, which matter greatly for future therapists.

Three prerequisites must be completed before second-semester courses: Human/Life Span Development, Counseling/Personality Theories, and Research Methods. These courses can be taken during your first semester online or in traditional classroom settings if you haven’t completed them in your undergraduate studies.

International students need to verify English proficiency through TOEFL (minimum 83 internet-based) or IELTS (minimum band score 7). Some students might qualify for language exam waivers based on their educational background.

The USD MFT program wants to enroll approximately 30 new students each year, keeping class sizes small at 15-20 students. This creates an intimate learning environment where students can build meaningful connections with faculty and share different points of view in classroom discussions.

Application deadlines change by admission cycle. Priority deadlines usually fall in January, with final deadlines in February for fall enrollment. Students typically hear back about admission decisions 30-60 days after each deadline.

Among MFT programs, USD selects candidates whose personal qualities and career goals match the program’s strengths. The program looks for students with strong interpersonal skills who will excel in therapeutic settings serving diverse populations.