Marriage and Family Therapy, MAS


At a Glance: program details



This is the only marriage and family therapy program at a state university in Arizona, and its accelerated, applied format means that you will earn your degree in 16 to 18 months instead of spending three or four years in a traditional program.

Program Description

Degree Awarded: MAS Marriage and Family Therapy

This self-contained accelerated MAS program in marriage and family therapy provides high-quality coursework and supervised internship experiences designed to train practitioners who wish to practice marriage and family therapy.

The curriculum and degree requirements have been specified and approved by the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners and are devised to meet the degree requirements for licensure in the state of Arizona for the practice of marriage and family therapy.

We are no longer accepting applications for Fall 2024.

Applications for Fall 2025 open September 1, 2024 and the deadline is February 1, 2025.

If you are interested in a career in Marriage and Family Therapy, ASU's Master's in Advanced Studies in Marriage & Family Therapy (MAS-MFT) is hosting two informational sessions on Zoom this fall. Please join the program's co-directors to learn more – no RSVP necessary. Please see the Zoom links below – we hope to see you then!

Curriculum

Training in Marriage and Family Therapy requires the successful completion of a minimum of 39 semester hours, including required core coursework, a Capstone Project, and completion of 300 client contact hours in a 12-month community internship placement approved by the MAS-MFT faculty. Students are mentored by MAS-MFT core faculty and the internship supervisor, all of whom are Arizona-licensed marriage and family therapists.

A minimum of 39 hours is required.

Requirements and Electives Hours
Core courses 39
Total 39


Additional Information

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and Fees

Students pay graduate tuition (in-state or out-of-state), fees, and a per semester hour program fee of $475. Residency status is determined by the Graduate College. Because this is an applied accelerated program, assistantships and other funding are not available. Students are encouraged to pursue scholarships or other forms of financial aid independently.

Practicum

Practicum

(Concurrent with Internship)

Students who successfully complete the first two 7.5 week semesters AND satisfactorily pass an examination held at the end of the first 7.5 week semester will be eligible to interview for an internship placement at a mental health agency in the Valley beginning in January and continuing for 12 months or until the student completes the required 300 hours of client contact. Approved internships sites are selected by faculty members; sites are located throughout the Valley. All students will be supervised by a state-licensed marriage and family therapist.

Students must have their own car, a valid Arizona driver's license and proof of automobile insurance (out-of-state students with a valid driver's license will be able to obtain an Arizona license once they have moved to Arizona).

How to Apply

How to Apply

How do I apply to the Masters Program in Marriage and Family Therapy?

The next opportunity to apply will be for Fall 2023. The application deadline is February 1.

Candidates selected to proceed to the next state in the admission process will be invited for a personal interview with faculty. Our program does not have rolling admissions. Students are admitted for the fall semester only.

Follow these steps to complete the application process.

1. Graduate College Application

Send official materials to Graduate Admission Services
https://admission.asu.edu/international/graduate-apply

ASU transcripts do not need to be sent

2. Other required supplemental materials

Submit all of the following materials online via the Graduate College Application at https://webapp4.asu.edu/dgsadmissions/Index.jsp

  • Resume or curriculum vitae outlining your employment history, volunteer activities, and any academic or civic awards.
  • Professional Statement. In three pages or less (double-spaced) please address the following:
    • What has led to your decision to apply to this MFT Program?
    • What are your professional goals and aspirations?
    • What are the strengths you have that will help you succeed in an accelerated clinical graduate program?
    • What, if any, clinical and/or research experiences do you have (either paid or volunteer)?
    • Include any additional information that will help the committee evaluate your application.
  • Three letters of recommendation from persons familiar with your academic background.

As part of the online graduate application you will submit the names and work email addresses for your three recommenders. Your recommenders will be sent instructions on how to electronically send their recommendations.

3. International Students – Required additional materials

International applicants must also meet all of the requirements and supply all of the information requested by the Graduate College at https://admission.asu.edu/international/graduate-apply.

If you have any questions about the online application procedures or about the program, please contact graduatesanford@asu.edu

Program Faculty

Grad Student Perspective

Graduate Student Perspective

2019 Reflections

Amanda Loback

The Marriage and Family Therapy program is exceptional in many ways. Most notably, the guidance and support offered throughout the program allows students to excel academically and clinically. The program is challenging in the most rewarding way. Graduates leave inspired to make an impact in their community and feel confident that they have the tools and resources to provide ethical, evidence-based services.

Kasey Carpenter

This program taught me more than I could have imagined about what it means to be a Marriage and Family Therapist, both personally and professionally. From day one of class, Mary and Karissa ensure we learn and comprehend ethical standards, theoretical frameworks, and the best ways to connect and make progress with our clients. They carefully select internships and site supervisors who not only match our strengths and interests, but are present and supportive as we become clinical professionals. I feel extremely confident moving forward in my career as a licensed therapist, and I owe so much of that to my small, supportive cohort, this program's curriculum, and the brilliant guidance of Mary, Karissa, and my Supervisors: They are both cheerleaders and challengers, role models and friends. They know your potential, and they will help you to reach it. I can't recommend this program enough!

Alexa Openshaw

The MAS-MFT program not only gave me a strong foundation to begin my career as a therapist, but it inspired me to live outside my comfort zone professionally and personally. I gained lifelong friends and mentors that will continue to shape my experience in this field.

2016 Reflections

Alexia Coleman

Reflection on this 18-month experience in the MFT program is such a rewarding experience as I am able to think back to the first class and my little understanding of what being a marriage and family therapist truly means. As I began the application process for graduate programs, I remember feeling like the Marriage and Family Therapy program at ASU was the best fit as the systemic approach echoed my own thought process about how relationships work.

Read Entire Reflection (.PDF) 

Courtney Brenner

Although the Marriage and Family Therapy program is a challenging and time-consuming 18
months, I would do it 10 more times because of how rewarding the experience has been!

Read Entire Reflection (.PDF) 

2015 Reflections

Desiree Barnett

Being accepted into and going through this program for the last 18 months has completely changed my life. While I was ready for it to be a challenging experience, nothing could have prepared me for how rewarding and fulfilling it would be.

Read Entire Reflection (.PDF) 

S Montano

Having spent the past seven years working in sports public relations, I had no idea what to expect when I decided to change career paths and move to Arizona from California to enroll in Arizona State University's Marriage and Family Therapy master's program.

Read Entire Reflection (.PDF) 

Tiffany Moser

Deciding which Master's Program will fit what an individual desires to fulfill their future goals and aspirations is not an easy process. Amidst numerous choices available for graduate programs in the mental health field, it is necessary for an individual to intensively research what each Master's program has to offer.

Read Entire Reflection (.PDF) 

Brianna Valencia

I never thought that I would be returning to school for a graduate degree, but I know that in order to go further in my career I needed to pursue a master's degree. I considered the Marriage and Family Therapy Program because I am very interested in helping people with their concerns.

Read Entire Reflection (.PDF) 

FAQ

FAQ

Can I attend this program part time?

Can I take some of the MAS-MFT courses as a non-degree student?

Can I attend this program long-distance?

Can I keep my job while I’m in school?

Are assistantships available?

How much does the program cost?

When are classes offered?

What is the class attendance policy?

Will I be licensed as soon as I graduate?

Will I be able to get licensed in other states?

Can I transfer credits from another MFT program into this program?

Who teaches the classes in the MAS-MFT program?

Do I have to find my own internship?

Can I choose a specialty at my internship?

Do I automatically start my internship/practicum in the Spring Semester?

When are internship/practicum hours?

Why do I need a car for my internship?

How is in-state residency determined?

What is the English language requirement for international students?

Do you admit students each semester?

Is this program accredited with COAMFTE (Commission on Accreditation for Marriage & Family Therapy Education)?

How do I apply?

When will I know if I’ve been accepted?

If I’m admitted to the program, can I defer my admission?

How do I learn more?

In the News

A specialized program at ASU has trained nearly 200 students who have entered the workforce in careers that have a positive and profound impact on society.

Mary Doyle and Karissa Greving Mehall, co-directors of the MAS-MFT program in Arizona State University’s T. Denny Sanford School of Social and Family Dynamics.


Degree Requirements

39 credit hours and a master's research paper

The master's degree program in marriage and family therapy requires the successful completion of a minimum of 39 credit hours and a project, including required coursework and completion of 300 client-contact hours in a community internship placement approved by the master's degree in marriage and family therapy faculty. Internships are expected to last approximately 12 months. Students must maintain a GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in all coursework and satisfactorily meet the expectations of the agency supervising their internship.

Students are required to have a vehicle and a valid Arizona driver's license for internship placement.

An internship entrance examination is held at the end of the first 7.5-week semester to determine student readiness for internship placement.


Admission Requirements

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree from a regionally accredited institution in a related field, such as counseling, psychology, and family and human development, among others.

Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program, or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.

All applicants must submit:

  1. graduate admission application and application fee
  2. official transcripts
  3. a personal statement
  4. resume
  5. three letters of recommendation
  6. proof of English proficiency

Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.

Letters of recommendation must be from three people who know the applicant in a professional or academic capacity. Family members and friends do not meet this criterion.

Students should refer to the program's website for detailed information on admission requirements.

Courses and Electives

Core Courses (39)

Fall Semester, Year One

  • FAS 570 - Introduction to Marriage & Family Therapy (3 credits)
  • FAS 581 - Professional Issues & Ethics (3 credits)
  • FAS 571 - Assessment in Marriage & Family Therapy (3 credits)
  • FAS 576 - Applied Issues in Human Development: Psychopathology (3 credits)

Spring Semester, Year One

  • FAS 577 - Applied Issues in Children & Adolescents in MFT (3 credits)
  • FAS 572 - Advanced Techniques in Marriage & Family Therapy (3 credits)
  • FAS 573 - Dysfunctional Families (3 credits)
  • FAS 580 - Practicum (2 credits)

Summer Semester, Year One

  • FAS 575 - Applied Issues in Couples' Therapy (3 credits)
  • FAS 578 - Applied Issues in Sexuality for Marriage & Family Therapy (3 credits)
  • FAS 580 - Practicum (2 credits)

Fall Semester, Year Two (Final Semester)

  • FAS 579 - Applied Research in Marriage & Family Therapy (3 credits)
  • FAS 574 - Family Theory for Marriage & Family Therapy (3 credits)
  • FAS 580 - Practicum (2 credits)

Next Steps to attend ASU

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Application Deadlines

Fall

Session
Modality
Deadline
Type

Session A/C
In Person
February 1st
Final


Learning Outcomes

  • Showcase their clinical competence in the ability to differentiate appropriate Marriage and Family Therapy interventions.
  • Develop a comprehensive understanding of system-based Marriage and Family Therapy theories and employ the clinical application of these theories to pursue licensure as an MFT.
  • Construct a solid foundation grounded in system-based theoretical models to meet Marriage and Family Therapy Professional ethics and standards.

Career Opportunities

There are many career paths available to students pursuing this degree. A few examples are:

  • genetic counselor
  • psychologist
  • rehabilitation counselor
  • school and career counselor
  • social and community service manager
  • social and human service assistant
  • social worker
  • substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counselor

Program Contact Information

If you have questions related to admission, please click here to request information and an admission specialist will reach out to you directly. For questions regarding faculty or courses, please use the contact information below.