The Master of Science(MS) in Marriage and Family Therapy provides the knowledge and skills needed to become a licensed marriage and family therapist and an American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) Clinical Fellow. This 60-credit degree program prepares graduates for work in private practice, counseling centers, mental health agencies, hospitals, family service clinics, shelters, and state departments for children and family services.
Marriage and family therapy is one of the core mental health disciplines, and is based on the research and theory that mental illness and family issues are best treated in a systemic context. Therapists in this area focus on understanding their clients’ symptoms and interaction patterns within their existing environment. All licensed marriage and family therapists are trained and licensed to independently treat mental health and substance abuse issues within an individual, couple, and family format.
According to U.S. News and World Report, marriage and family therapy is one of the fastest-growing occupations today. In fact, marriage and family therapists (MFTs) are ranked in the top 10 for best social service jobs. Regarding the job outlook, ranging from 2016-2026, there will be more than a 23% increase, which is much faster than average.
A marriage and family therapist is a helping professional who is trained to intervene in human problems in a holistic way. A marriage and family therapist is trained in various theories and methods stemming from a model of understanding human interaction called systems theory. Systems theory is an integrated set of concepts which describes how each person is interconnected with his or her context in very complex ways, and looks at the individual as simultaneously a whole entity and as part of a larger system. Systems theory holds that individuals function in relation to others and in relation to a set of circumstances that dictate how each person is to react. Conversely, the individual is also seen as being capable of having powerful input into how the larger system operates and can have an influence in changing his or her environment.
Curriculum & Requirements
Curriculum Requirements
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Curriculum Requirements | ||
| CO 5670 | Working with Children and Families | 3 |
| CO 5780 | Working with Youth and Systems | 3 |
| CO 5040 | Diversity and Advocacy in Helping Relationships | 3 |
| CO 5050 | Advanced Human Development | 3 |
| CO 5070 | Research Design in the Helping Professions | 3 |
| CO 5260 | Counseling Theories and Personality | 3 |
| CO 5790 | Assessment, Diagnosis, and Treatment Planning | 3 |
| CO 5020 | Counseling Skills | 3 |
| CO 5430 | Assessment for Counselors | 3 |
| CO 5770 | Psychopathology: Disorders of Childhood, Adolescence and Adulthood | 3 |
| CO 5720 | Addictions & Related Disorders | 3 |
| CO 5130 | Psychopharmacology and the Biological Basis of Mental Health | 3 |
| MFT 5100 | Practicum | 3 |
| Marriage and Family Therapy Specialization Component | ||
| MFT 5010 | Foundational Methods in Marriage and Family Therapy | 3 |
| MFT 5020 | Current Issues in Marriage and Family Therapy | 3 |
| MFT 5030 | Foundations and Ethics in Marriage and Family Therapy | 3 |
| MFT 5040 | Human Sexuality | 3 |
| MFT 5900 | Seminar and Internship in Marriage and Family Therapy | 1-9 |
| Total Credits | 52-60 | |
Optional Concentrations in this Major
Addictions Treatment
Curriculum Requirements
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CO 5020 | Counseling Skills | 3 |
| CO 5040 | Diversity and Advocacy in Helping Relationships | 3 |
| CO 5050 | Advanced Human Development | 3 |
| CO 5070 | Research Design in the Helping Professions | 3 |
| CO 5130 | Psychopharmacology and the Biological Basis of Mental Health | 3 |
| CO 5260 | Counseling Theories and Personality | 3 |
| CO 5430 | Assessment for Counselors | 3 |
| CO 5670 | Working with Children and Families | 3 |
| CO 5720 | Addictions & Related Disorders | 3 |
| CO 5770 | Psychopathology: Disorders of Childhood, Adolescence and Adulthood | 3 |
| CO 5780 | Working with Youth and Systems | 3 |
| CO 5790 | Assessment, Diagnosis, and Treatment Planning | 3 |
| CO 5100 | Practicum | 3 |
| Marriage and Family Therapy Specialization Component | ||
| MFT 5010 | Foundational Methods in Marriage and Family Therapy | 3 |
| MFT 5020 | Current Issues in Marriage and Family Therapy | 3 |
| MFT 5030 | Foundations and Ethics in Marriage and Family Therapy | 3 |
| MFT 5040 | Human Sexuality | 3 |
| MFT 5900 | Seminar and Internship in Marriage and Family Therapy | 1-9 |
| Addictions Treatment Component | ||
| CO 5730 | Addictions Treatment Modalities | 3 |
| Total Credits | 55-63 | |
Eating Disorders
Curriculum Requirements
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CO 5020 | Counseling Skills | 3 |
| CO 5040 | Diversity and Advocacy in Helping Relationships | 3 |
| CO 5050 | Advanced Human Development | 3 |
| CO 5070 | Research Design in the Helping Professions | 3 |
| CO 5130 | Psychopharmacology and the Biological Basis of Mental Health | 3 |
| CO 5260 | Counseling Theories and Personality | 3 |
| CO 5430 | Assessment for Counselors | 3 |
| CO 5670 | Working with Children and Families | 3 |
| CO 5720 | Addictions & Related Disorders | 3 |
| CO 5770 | Psychopathology: Disorders of Childhood, Adolescence and Adulthood | 3 |
| CO 5780 | Working with Youth and Systems | 3 |
| CO 5790 | Assessment, Diagnosis, and Treatment Planning | 3 |
| CO 5100 | Practicum | 3 |
| Marriage and Family Therapy Specialization Component | ||
| MFT 5010 | Foundational Methods in Marriage and Family Therapy | 3 |
| MFT 5020 | Current Issues in Marriage and Family Therapy | 3 |
| MFT 5030 | Foundations and Ethics in Marriage and Family Therapy | 3 |
| MFT 5040 | Human Sexuality | 3 |
| MFT 5900 | Seminar and Internship in Marriage and Family Therapy | 1-9 |
| Eating Disorder Component | ||
| CO 5150 | Eating Disorders Clinical | 3 |
| CO 5160 | Eating Disorders: Awareness and Prevention | 3 |
| CO 5170 | Treatment Modalities for Eating Disorders | 3 |
| CO 5180 | Nutrition Fundamentals and Counseling in the Recovery of Eating Disorders | 3 |
| CO 5190 | Medical and Physiological Aspects of Eating Disorders | 3 |
| Total Credits | 67-75 | |
Play Therapy
Curriculum Requirements
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CO 5020 | Counseling Skills | 3 |
| CO 5040 | Diversity and Advocacy in Helping Relationships | 3 |
| CO 5050 | Advanced Human Development | 3 |
| CO 5070 | Research Design in the Helping Professions | 3 |
| CO 5130 | Psychopharmacology and the Biological Basis of Mental Health | 3 |
| CO 5260 | Counseling Theories and Personality | 3 |
| CO 5430 | Assessment for Counselors | 3 |
| CO 5670 | Working with Children and Families | 3 |
| CO 5720 | Addictions & Related Disorders | 3 |
| CO 5770 | Psychopathology: Disorders of Childhood, Adolescence and Adulthood | 3 |
| CO 5780 | Working with Youth and Systems | 3 |
| CO 5790 | Assessment, Diagnosis, and Treatment Planning | 3 |
| Marriage and Family Therapy Specialization Component | ||
| MFT 5010 | Foundational Methods in Marriage and Family Therapy | 3 |
| MFT 5020 | Current Issues in Marriage and Family Therapy | 3 |
| MFT 5030 | Foundations and Ethics in Marriage and Family Therapy | 3 |
| MFT 5040 | Human Sexuality | 3 |
| MFT 5100 | Practicum | 3 |
| MFT 5900 | Seminar and Internship in Marriage and Family Therapy | 1-9 |
| Play Therapy Component | ||
| CO 5210 | Dynamic Play Therapies | 1 |
| CO 5220 | Child Centered Play Therapy | 1 |
| CO 5240 | Expressive Play Therapies | 1 |
| CO 5250 | Special Populations in Play Therapy | 1 |
| Add 4 Elective Play Therapy Courses | 4 | |
CO 5200 | Adlerian Play Therapy | |
CO 5270 | Special Topics: Play Therapy | |
CO 5280 | Group Play Therapy | |
CO 5290 | Nature Based Play Therapy | |
CO 5370 | Play Therapy in School | |
CO 5380 | Family Play Therapy | |
CO 5390 | Play Therapy with Traumatized Children | |
| Total Credits | 60-68 | |
Graduate Certificate
Curriculum Requirements
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MFT 5010 | Foundational Methods in Marriage and Family Therapy | 3 |
| MFT 5020 | Current Issues in Marriage and Family Therapy | 3 |
| MFT 5030 | Foundations and Ethics in Marriage and Family Therapy | 3 |
| MFT 5040 | Human Sexuality | 3 |
| MFT 5900 | Seminar and Internship in Marriage and Family Therapy | 3-6 |
| Total Credits | 15-18 | |
Marriage and Family Therapy:
- Students will demonstrate awareness and regulation of self in system including engagement with cultural and contextual differences.
- Students will demonstrate MFT clinical competency skills in the areas of technique proficiency, assessment and diagnostic ability, treatment planning, and theoretical integration across a variety of contexts and multicultural groups.
- Students will demonstrate an applied knowledge of MFT legal and ethical guidelines and professional standards.
- Students will demonstrate an applied knowledge of MFT historical and current theoretical information.
- Student will demonstrate knowledge and skills as a researcher in the field of MFT.
- Students will be able articulate and assume the ethical practice of play therapy.
- Student will demonstrate play therapy technique competency and proficiency.
- Students will articulate a working knowledge of the major play therapy theoretical models.
- Students will develop an understanding of the common contemporary issues affecting children.
- Students will demonstrate a working knowledge of how to incorporate the larger system into the practice of play therapy.
This program will prepare graduates to provide marriage and family therapy in a variety of settings, (but not limited to):
- private practice,
- counseling centers,
- mental health agencies,
- hospitals,
- family service clinics,
- shelters,
- prisons, and
- state departments for children and family services.
Admission Information
Requirements
The MS in Marriage and Family Therapy requires the following materials to be submitted through our online application
- Recommended 3.0 or better GPA in undergraduate coursework
- Official transcripts from any/all college level work
- Three professional recommendations
- Current Resume
- Statement of interest
- Interview with program coordinator
- NH Residency Verification form (NH residents only)
Deadlines
Students pursuing the Marriage and Family Therapy program can apply for admission to any of the upcoming semesters. Here are the annual application deadlines:
- Fall semester – August 1
- Spring semester – December 1
- Summer semester – April 15
*We suggest submitting your documentation at least two weeks prior to the posted date to ensure your application is complete and can be reviewed by the deadline.
2024-25 Estimated Graduate Per Credit Tuition and Mandatory Fees
| New Hampshire Resident | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | Mandatory Fees | Per Credit Total | ||
| Master’s Degrees/Certificates | $584 | $43 | $627 | |
| CAGS | $625 | $43 | $668 | |
| EDD | $681 | $43 | $724 | |
| Out-of-State Resident | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | Mandatory Fees | Per Credit Total | ||
| Master’s Degrees/Certificates | $809 | $43 | $852 | |
| CAGS | $782 | $43 | $825 | |
| EDD | $866 | $43 | $909 | |
More information is available through the Student Financial Services Office.
Graduate students are eligible for financial aid in the form of student loans only. You will need to complete the FAFSA at least 30 days prior to the start of the semester you wish to begin taking classes. International students are not eligible for federal financial aid – please review our international admission requirements to learn more.
More information can be found on the Student Financial Services website.
Each year, Plymouth State offers a limited number of merit-based scholarships to admitted graduate students. Selection criteria include academic and professional achievements, commitment to graduate study, and achievement or pursuit of personal or professional goals. Visit the PSU Scholarship Opportunities webpage for additional information.
New Hampshire State Licensed Marriage and Family Therapy (LMFT) Requirements – This website shows the New Hampshire state LMFT requirements.
Diversity Information – Plymouth State University Marriage and Family Therapy Program’s Diversity Information can be found here: Diversity Breakdown
Graduation Rate – As of September 2018, 100% of our graduates have graduated within the maximum graduation time-frame.
Program Retention Rate: As of September 2018, the Plymouth State University Marriage and Family Therapy Program has retained 87.5% of its students.
Explore Program Details
The MFT Program at Plymouth State University is seeking accreditation with the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy (COAMFTE). We admit students for the fall, spring, and summer semesters. The MFT program was designed for full-time students to finish in a 2 year period. The shortest amount of time the program can be completed is 2 years and the longest allotted time to complete the program is 6 years. The program is a campus-based degree program.
COAMFTE Student Achievement Data
| Year Admitted | # of students in program | % of students who graduated from the program within the maximum length of program completion (6 years) | % of students who graduated within the advertised length of the program (2 years) | Job Placement Rate | % Alumni who passed the national exam |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | 6 | 100% | 66.6% | 100% | 16.6% |
| 2016-17 | 8 | In Progress | 50% | In Progress | In Progress |
| 2017-18* | 8 | In Progress | In Progress | In Progress | In Progress |
| 2018-19* | 8 | In Progress | In Progress | In Progress | In Progress |
| 2019-20* | 10 | In Progress | In Progress | In Progress | In Progress |
*These students have not yet completed the minimum 2-year term to graduate.
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