Clinical Psychology: Marriage and Family Therapy, MA (MFT)

To boost your career readiness, our MFT graduate program’s core curriculum requires you to complete the Gottman Couples Therapy Level 1 Certificate, which provides specialized, research-backed assessments and interventions for couples in therapy.

After completing the required classes to earn your master’s degree, you can enroll in optional certificate programs in:

• Substance Use Disorder
• Play Therapy

With additional units and clinical hours, the Marriage and Family Therapy program provides a pathway to dual licensure as a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) in California.

Prerequisites

If your bachelor’s degree is in a field other than psychology, you must complete an Abnormal Psychology course before starting the Marriage and Family Therapy program—or provide proof of prior completion.

You must have completed your Abnormal Psychology course within the past eight years and earned a B or higher.

Prerequisite requirements may be reviewed and waived on an individual basis.

MFT Program Admissions Requirements

At Azusa Pacific University, we support you through each step of the application process, helping you achieve your career goals.

Submit the following when applying to the MFT program:

• Graduate application for admission
• $45 nonrefundable application fee
• Official transcripts from all institutions leading to and awarding the applicant’s bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution and all postbaccalaureate study
  • An official transcript is one that Azusa Pacific University receives unopened in an envelope sealed by the former institution that bears the official seal of the college or university
  • A cumulative minimum 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) grade-point average on the posted degree is required for regular admission status/provisional admittance may be granted to individuals with a lower GPA if competency can be shown through multiple measures)
• Professional interest essay covering:
  • Brief background information that would help another person get to know you as a unique person
  • Why you have chosen to pursue an MFT at this time in your life
  • Why you are applying to Azusa Pacific University for your MFT
  • An Overview of the experiences you have had that prepare you for this program
  • Strengths and weaknesses that would affect your performance as a therapist
  • Your professional goals
• Two letters of recommendation from professionals who have current knowledge of your academic or clinical ability and potential (e.g., professors, clergy, supervisors, employers)

Send official transcripts to:

Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions
Azusa Pacific University
PO Box 7000
Azusa, CA 91702-7000
[email protected]

• Participate in a final in-person interview

Next Steps

Once the Graduate and Professional Admissions office receives the completed admission materials, faculty from the Department of Marriage and Family Therapy review the applicant’s file. The committee then invites you for an in-person interview to learn more about you and your eligibility for the MFT degree program.

International Admission Requirements

Azusa Pacific University is authorized under federal law by the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services and the U.S. Department of State to enroll nonimmigrant, alien undergraduate and graduate students. APU issues and administers both the I-20 and DS 2019 (F-1 and J-1 status documents respectively).

Along with meeting the standard MFT program admission requirements, if you are an international applicant, you must also:

• Demonstrate proficiency in English through a placement test with the Academic Success Center, or through a TOEFL/IELTS score that meets program-specific requirements. Review APU’s English proficiency requirements to learn more.
• Request that official test scores be sent to APU. All other forms of proof indicated in the English proficiency requirements must be submitted directly to International Services.
• Provide a Graduate Affidavit of Financial Support (PDF) and a bank statement from within the last six months proving financial ability to pay for education costs through personal, family, or sponsor resources.
• Submit a copy of a valid passport showing biographical data, including your name, country of citizenship, date of birth, and other legal information.
• Get foreign transcripts evaluated. International credentials (transcripts, certificates, diplomas, and degrees) must be evaluated by a foreign transcript evaluation agency. Review our policy and a list of approved foreign transcript evaluation agencies.

Send official transcripts to:

Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions
Azusa Pacific University
PO Box 7000
Azusa, CA 91702-7000
[email protected]

Next Steps

After all admission materials have been received by the Student Services Center, the faculty or department chair reviews your file and issues a written admissions decision.

Marriage and Family Therapy Program Tuition

Our MFT program offers competitive tuition and high-quality training, so you can invest in your calling with confidence.

Note: This information is current for the 2025-26 academic year, but all stated academic information is subject to change.

*Base Cost (cost per unit x program units) is provided to aid in program comparison only.

Review APU’s graduate cost of attendance information to estimate the total amount of your MFT degree.

Financial Aid

At Azusa Pacific University, we make accessible Christian education possible. To cover the cost of your master’s degree, you can apply for financial aid, including federal loans, state grants, fellowships, and scholarships. While aid types may vary by program, your dedicated admissions advisor can help you understand your options and plan ahead.

For more information,  contact the Student Services Center at (626) 815-2020.

Military Benefits

If you are a veteran, serve in the military,or qualify as a spouse or dependent—you may access financial assistance that lowers your costs of tuition, housing, and books. As a Yellow Ribbon and Military Friendly School, APU offers the support and flexibility needed to help you complete your master’s degree.

APU Alumni Tuition Discounts

Are you an APU alum ready to pursue your calling as a therapist? Our School of Behavioral Sciences offers an alumni tuition discount for those enrolling in our MA in Clinical Psychology: Marriage and Family Therapy program.

You must be in good academic standing and maintain satisfactory academic progress with a minimum cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 3.0. You must be enrolled at least half-time.

If you meet the qualifications, your discount may be renewed each term. APU will pay $500 per term (up to $2,000 over the course of the program). This discount cannot be combined with other institutional aid.

Azusa Pacific University is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).