Fuller Theological Seminary

Programme overview

The Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy is a clinically oriented graduate programme designed to educate students in theory, assessment, intervention and ethics for working with couples, families and relational systems. Instruction combines classroom learning with supervised clinical practicum to develop competence in systemic thinking, therapeutic skills and multicultural sensitivity.

What you'll study

Coursework typically covers foundational models of marriage and family therapy, human development across the lifespan, psychopathology from a relational perspective, clinical assessment and diagnosis, culturally responsive practice, ethics and professional issues, and research methods relevant to clinical practice. Students also engage in supervised clinical practicum where they apply therapeutic approaches with clients, receive clinical supervision, and develop case conceptualization and intervention planning skills.

Entry requirements

Admissions generally require a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and materials such as academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and often an interview. Some programmes expect prior coursework or demonstrated readiness for graduate-level clinical training; applicants from diverse academic backgrounds may be asked to complete prerequisite courses or preparatory work.

Career prospects

Graduates typically pursue licensure as marriage and family therapists or related clinical licenses depending on regional regulations. Career paths include private practice, community mental health agencies, hospitals, pastoral counselling settings, schools and social service organisations. With additional experience or training, some graduates move into clinical supervision, program development, teaching or doctoral study.

Scholarships & funding angle (general)

Funding options commonly include institutional scholarships, need-based grants, federal or regional student aid where eligible, teaching or research assistantships, and external awards from professional associations. Applying early for scholarships, exploring employer tuition benefits, and budgeting for practicum-related expenses can help manage the cost of clinical training.