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Couples & Family Therapy, MA

Explore Seattle University’s Couples and Family Therapy program. Strengthen relationships and cultivate systemic resilience. COAMFTE accredited program.

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About this Program

Strength-Based, Systemic Approach to Become Effective Licensed Couples and Family Therapists

Seattle University’s Couples and Family Therapy program is dedicated to strength-based and systemic treatment, trauma informed care, social justice and the formation of resilient clinicians. 

Our couples and family therapy master's students are trained to assess, diagnose, consult and treat relationships and individuals, under the guidance of clinicians who are state approved and American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) approved supervisors.

Our courses synthesize systems theory, clinical intervention, ethics, research, social justice, and self-of-therapist reflection. Throughout the program, students are required to demonstrate clinical skills. Students gain a breadth of knowledge related to family therapy theories and models, assessment, diagnosis, trauma, systemic resilience and development, addictions and the ethics of clinical treatment. 

Throughout the program, students engage in self-reflection, or person-of-the-therapist exploration, to better understand themselves as a provider.

Graduates are prepared to heal and empower clients from diverse intersecting social locations (e.g., ethnicities, gender identities, faith traditions).

More than 99% of our graduates are licensed as LMFT(A)s or their states’ equivalents.

Couples and Family Therapy Master's Degree at a Glance

Learn how this degree from the Couples and Family Therapy program will contribute to your career goals. Then, explore course requirements and see how impactful a Seattle University degree can be.

In the couples and family therapy graduate program, you’ll gain the necessary skills to assess, diagnose and treat relationships and individuals from a systemic perspective. You’ll learn about family therapy theory, integrating justice into clinical work, the family life cycle, trauma and the ethics of systemic treatment.  After graduation, with extensive clinical experience, you can apply to become a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapy Associate (LMFTA) in Washington and select other states.f

COAMFTE classifies our program as campus-based (in person), thus classes are taught on campus with web-enhanced methods of instruction. Classes meet on weekdays and select weekends. 

Our students may work part-time throughout the program. However, they need to be available for classes and clinical work during daytime hours. The MACFT program is full time (2 years). 

Washington state requires LMFTA applicants to hold a degree from a COAMFTE-accredited program or a clinical degree of 60 quarter credits. Graduates of our 56-credit program are licensed and working in the field.

Degree Requirements

  1.  Students will integrate systemic theories, skills and research into clinical practice.
  2.  Students will provide multiculturally attuned clinical services.
  3.  Students will develop legal and ethical competence and adhere to relevant laws and ethical codes. 
  4.  Students will demonstrate care for self of the therapist and commitment to continued growth. 

Couples and Family Therapy (CFT) programs are different from other mental health programs that emphasize individual functioning. While couple and family therapists treat individuals, they focus on relational treatment. Training and case conceptualization focus on systemic thinking.

Our mission is to prepare systemic therapists to promote healing, growth, and relational connectedness.

The Master of Arts in Couples and Family Therapy (MACFT) program curates:

  • Knowledge and skills for systemic therapy attuned to justice, resilience and trauma informed care.
  • Passion to work with diverse populations in traditional and innovative settings.
  • Direct experiences for students to provide at least 400 hours of in-person or virtual clinical treatment to relational and individual clients at agencies throughout the Puget Sound area.

What You’ll Learn

Learn about the classes you’ll take as a student here.

Explore Our Program

Training future therapists to respond to client's needs.

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Support for Your Success

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Internships for Career Preparation

In the second year of the program, our students begin a 12-month internship providing therapy for families, intimate relationships and individuals. They are at a clinical site 18 to 20 hours per week for in person or virtual client contact, supervision and other onsite clinical work.

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Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education

COAMFTE Accreditation—Your LMFT Licensure

One of the many benefits of attending a COAMFTE accredited program is that it simplifies the post-graduation licensure application in many states.  In Washington State, graduates of our COAMFTE accredited program meet the education requirements for marriage and family therapy associate licensure (LMFTA) and can count up to 500 hours of direct client contact earned from the program towards the 3,000 hours requirement to become fully licensed.

COAMFTE Graduate Achievement Data Disclosure

  • COAMFTE Accreditation Standards
    • Licensure Information
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    Innovative Technology to Simplify Clinical Reporting

    To ease the burden of collecting, organizing and reporting clinical and program details, the program uses Tevera. It is a cloud-based platform for managing practicums, internships and accreditation for clinical training programs. Graduates have lifelong access to their Tevera training record, which can be very helpful when applying for licensure or employment.

    Learn More

    Hear From Our Alumni

    Arynn Prescott

    Arynn Prescott, ‘22

    “This program is transformative, filled with space for reflection and growth, and the leadership team provides a structure that will give you exactly what you need, at the time you need it.”

    MA in Couples and Family Therapy

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    Get in Touch

    If you have any questions about the program or application, we’re here to help!

    Ashley Miller

    Senior Admissions Counselor

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