The Marriage and Family Therapy Specialization, which is accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation of Marriage and Family Therapy Education, provides a specific professional curriculum that prepares graduates to work as marriage and family therapists. Courses focus on individual and family development, evidence-based clinical practices, social justice frameworks, and research methods. Students also complete a thesis (Plan A) or capstone project (Plan B). Training includes practicum and internship experiences with live supervision in the CSU Center for Family and Couple Therapy, CSU Campus Connections: Therapeutic Youth Mentoring, and the CSU Trauma and Resilience Assessment Center, all located on CSU's campus under the direction of faculty in the MFT program. Most graduates of this program go on to work as therapists in private practice or in mental health agencies. Some students enter doctoral programs upon graduation, including CSU's Ph.D. in Applied Developmental Science.
Learn more about the Master's in Human Development and Family Studies, Marriage and Family Therapy Specialization, Plan A and Plan B, on the Department of Human Development and Family Studies website.
Students interested in graduate work should refer to the Graduate and Professional Bulletin.
Effective Fall 2023
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| HDFS 500 | Issues in Human Development & Family Studies | 3 |
| HDFS 515 | Family Systems and Psychopathology | 3 |
| HDFS 520 | Family Therapy Practice: Treatment Planning | 3 |
| HDFS 521 | Family Therapy Practice: Common Factors | 3 |
| HDFS 524 | Family Studies | 3 |
| HDFS 534 | Marriage and Family Therapy | 3 |
| HDFS 549 | Research Methods I | 3 |
| HDFS 550 | Research Methods II | 3 |
| HDFS 620 | Family Therapy Practice: Addictions | 3 |
| HDFS 621 | Family Therapy Practice: Topics in Sexuality | 3 |
| HDFS 624 | Skills and Techniques in Family Therapy | 3 |
| HDFS 644 | Foundations in Family Therapy | 3 |
| HDFS 676 | Professional Skills Development | 3 |
| HDFS 677 | Ethical and Legal Issues | 3 |
| HDFS 687C | Internship: Marriage and Family Therapy | 5 |
| Selected Courses | ||
| Select one from the following: | 3 | |
| Risk and Resilience | ||
| Early Child Development | ||
| Adolescent Development | ||
| Adult Development and Aging | ||
| Family Issues: Intimacy and Human Sexuality | ||
| Family Issues: Parenting | ||
| Seminar: Lifespan Socioemotional Development | ||
| Seminar: Lifespan Cognitive Development | ||
| Thesis | ||
| HDFS 693 | Capstone Seminar | 3 |
| HDFS 699 | Thesis | 3 |
| Program Total Credits: | 56 | |
A minimum of 56 credits are required to complete this program.
Effective Fall 2023
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| HDFS 500 | Issues in Human Development & Family Studies | 3 |
| HDFS 515 | Family Systems and Psychopathology | 3 |
| HDFS 520 | Family Therapy Practice: Treatment Planning | 3 |
| HDFS 521 | Family Therapy Practice: Common Factors | 3 |
| HDFS 524 | Family Studies | 3 |
| HDFS 534 | Marriage and Family Therapy | 3 |
| HDFS 549 | Research Methods I | 3 |
| HDFS 550 | Research Methods II | 3 |
| HDFS 620 | Family Therapy Practice: Addictions | 3 |
| HDFS 621 | Family Therapy Practice: Topics in Sexuality | 3 |
| HDFS 624 | Skills and Techniques in Family Therapy | 3 |
| HDFS 644 | Foundations in Family Therapy | 3 |
| HDFS 676 | Professional Skills Development | 3 |
| HDFS 677 | Ethical and Legal Issues | 3 |
| HDFS 687C | Internship: Marriage and Family Therapy | 5 |
| Selected Courses | ||
| Select one from the following: | 3 | |
| Risk and Resilience | ||
| Early Child Development | ||
| Adolescent Development | ||
| Adult Development and Aging | ||
| Family Issues: Intimacy and Human Sexuality | ||
| Family Issues: Parenting | ||
| Seminar: Lifespan Socioemotional Development | ||
| Seminar: Lifespan Cognitive Development | ||
| Capstone Seminar | ||
| HDFS 693 | Capstone Seminar | 3 |
| Program Total Credits: | 53 | |
A minimum of 53 credits are required to complete this program.
For more information, please visit Requirements for All Graduate Degrees in the Graduate and Professional Bulletin.
Summary of Procedures for the Master's and Doctoral Degrees
NOTE: Each semester the Graduate School publishes a schedule of deadlines. Deadlines are available on the Graduate School website. Students should consult this schedule whenever they approach important steps in their careers.
Forms are available online.
| Step | Due Date |
|---|---|
| 1. Application for admission (online) | Six months before first registration |
| 2. Diagnostic examination when required | Before first registration |
| 3. Appointment of advisor | Before first registration |
| 4. Selection of graduate committee | Before the time of fourth regular semester registration |
| 5. Filing of program of study (GS Form 6) | Before the time of fourth regular semester registration |
| 6. Preliminary examination (Ph.D. and PD) | Two terms prior to final examination |
| 7. Report of preliminary examination (GS Form 16) - (Ph.D. and PD) | Within two working days after results are known |
| 8. Changes in committee (GS Form 9A) | When change is made |
| 9. Application for Graduation (GS Form 25) | Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School Website |
| 9a. Reapplication for Graduation (online) | Failure to graduate requires Reapplication for Graduation (online) for the next time term for which you are applying |
| 10. Submit thesis or dissertation to committee | At least two weeks prior to the examination or at the discretion of the graduate committee |
| 11. Final examination | Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School Website |
| 12. Report of final examination (GS Form 24) | Within two working days after results are known; refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School website |
| 13. Submit a signed Thesis/Dissertation Submission Form (GS Form 30) to the Graduate School and Submit the Survey of Earned Doctorates (Ph.D. only) prior to submitting the electronic thesis/dissertation | Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School website. |
| 14. Submit the thesis/dissertation electronically | Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School website |
| 15. Graduation | Ceremony information is available from the Graduate School website |