Mount Saint Mary’s University
M.S. in Counseling Psychology, Specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy
Campus-Based
Doheny Campus
10 Chester Place
Los Angeles, CA 90007
Program details below are quoted from program websites, supplied here for informational purposes only, and subject to change at any time. Refer to the program website for current information, deadlines, complete admission requirements, etc. It is the responsibility of the prospective student to verify with program administrators program details and that the program still meets BBS requirements for licensure in the state of California.
Program Snapshot
Accreditation
WSCUC
Concentrations/Specializations Offered
¡Enlaces! Certificate in Counseling the Spanish-Speaking Client
¡Enlaces! is a certificate program that is embedded into the Marriage & Family Therapy (MFT) specialization. Interested applicants should be conversationally proficient in Spanish and be able to take courses taught bilingually, incorporating both English and Spanish, to be eligible to enroll. Courses designated as ¡Enlaces! are an opportunity for students to apply and practice professional psychological terminology and learn about specific cultural factors involved in counseling Spanish-speaking clients. Coursework familiarizes the student with the diversity of cultures in the Spanish-speaking community, the unique issues that these cultures bring to the Spanish-language psychological literature, and includes a clinical placement working with the Spanish-speaking client.
LMFT Track or Dual LMFT/LPCC Track
LMFT/LPCC Dual track
Length of Program
2-3 years, 60 units. The length of time to completion of the specialization depends upon the number of units taken each semester.
Schedule/Format
Our weeknight format is designed for professionals with complex work and personal schedules who live busy lives. The program is completed in three years. Classes are offered:
Monday through Thursday from 6:00PM - 9:00PM
Fall and Spring semesters are 16 weeks; each class meets one night per week
Summer is an 8 week semester; each class meets two nights per week
Our new daytime format is designed for individuals who have the time and capacity to pursue graduate study on a full-time basis during the day. The program is completed in two years. Classes are offered:
Monday and Wednesday from 9:00AM - 4:00PM.
Fall and Spring semesters are 16 weeks; each class meets one day per week.
Summer is an 8 week semester; each class meets one day per week.
Program Start
Fall
Estimated Total Program Tuition
$66,480
Religious Orientation
Although our founding is rooted in Catholicism, we actually do not profess the religion as part of the curriculum, nor do we require students to take any religious courses. In fact, our program strives to be as inclusive of all religions, ethnicity and socioeconomic individuals. We pride ourselves on our diversity.
Entering Class Size and Classroom Sizes
We like to admit anywhere from 60-100 students each term. But, we offer enough sections to keep our classes to 20-25 students. We value small, intimate classes.
Fieldwork Hours Accrued During Program
250 hours
Personal Psychotherapy Requirement During Program
Personal psychotherapy is required in your third year when enrolled in PSY 269A and PSY 269B (fieldwork classes).
Comprehensive Exam/Culminating Project/Thesis/Etc:
None
Application Process
Application Deadline
Application Dates: Fall
Priority Submission: March 1st
Rolling Submission: Applicants will continue to be considered after the general submission date on a space-available basis
Undergraduate GPA Required
A minimum of a 3.0 cumulative grade-point average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale. If your GPA does not meet the minimum requirement—or if you feel that your GPA is not a valid indicator of your ability—you may submit an application, and provide a brief statement (no more than one page) explaining circumstances or limitations that affected your GPA.
GRE Requirement
None
Prerequisite Courses
None
Application Highlights
Application Essay
Applicants are required to submit an application essay explaining your purpose in undertaking a graduate program in Psychology. This is your opportunity to define your goals, interests and career plans as they relate to your proposed course of study. We are trying to gain a sense of who you are and the distinctive experiences and interests that have motivated you to pursue this degree.
Please submit a statement that includes answers to the following questions. Please limit your statement to four, double-spaced pages. (Applicants must answer all questions)
1. Why are you seeking graduate education at this time? Describe your career goals and how they evolved. What significant experiences have you had in giving or receiving help that has directed you toward entering this field? Describe times in your life where you have solved problems or struggled with issues. What impact have these experiences had in shaping your value base?
2. What do you consider to be personal qualities that equip you for graduate education and for the profession of counseling? Discuss your experiences, feelings and ideas about working with populations and settings different from your own.
3. Describe your undergraduate/graduate academic experience and include a description of your academic strengths and weaknesses. Please explain any grade deficiencies and what you have done to improve them.
4. Graduate education often means a change in one’s current lifestyle. Students often juggle classes, fieldwork, and work and home responsibilities. Do you anticipate any changes and how do you plan to prepare for them?
Letters of Recommendation
Two letters of recommendation are required from academic or non-academic sources. We use an electronic recommendation process, which ensures that we receive your recommendations in a timely fashion and it is convenient for your recommenders.
Recommenders should comment on an applicant’s ability to perform in the program’s required coursework.
Resume/CV
Please outline your educational and professional background and relevant experiences and activities, including community work.
Interview Requirement
In addition to submitting a full application, prospective students who are under consideration will be offered an in-person interview with the Program Director or faculty member as part of the decision process.
An invitation to interview is not a guarantee of acceptance to the program.
Program Summary
The Mount's three-year MFT curriculum provides foundational classes the first year, clinical classes in the second year and fieldwork (traineeship) in the final year. The Mount’s two-year MFT curriculum provides foundational classes the first year and clinical classes and fieldwork (traineeship) in the second, final year.
During the fieldwork year, students will be applying their newly developed counseling skills by working 15-20 hours per week in a community based fieldwork training site, regardless of format. Most traineeships (fieldwork) occur during the daytime hours so students may need to adapt their work schedule to accommodate their fieldwork training during their fieldwork year.
Careers
Our students are prepared in evidence-based practices and embrace the recovery model focusing on client empowerment, individual care, hope and social justice. Mount students are sought out by clinical training sites because of our excellent reputation for developing highly qualified, caring, and culturally competent clinicians.
Upon graduation, many of our students have obtained positions in Community Mental Health Centers, School-based Programs, the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, private practice settings, and a range of other roles and service institutions in which they are at the cutting edge of clinically and socially relevant issues.
Core Skills & Values
If you want to become a Marriage and Family Therapist or Professional Clinical Counselor who is well-respected and able to work with many different groups of people, consider the Counseling Psychology Program in Marriage and Family Therapy at Mount Saint Mary's University. You will receive excellent training, develop professional relationships with future colleagues and be prepared to enter this exciting and highly rewarding field.