Couple and Family Therapy, M.A.

The Master of Arts in Couple and Family Therapy at Saint Louis University is grounded in a systemic and relational framework for understanding individuals, couples and families. The program integrates academic coursework with supervised clinical practicum experiences to prepare students for professional practice. The SLU curriculum fulfills the educational and clinical requirements for licensure in Missouri as a Licensed Marital and Family Therapist (LMFT).

Curriculum Overview

SLU's master's program in couple and family therapy requires a minimum of 60 credits beyond a bachelor's degree. Prerequisites include 18 credits in the behavioral sciences. Program requirements include didactic courses, two semesters of practicum, three semesters of internship in a community setting and a minimum of 500 hours of direct clinical contact.

This program prepares students to function as part of an integrated care team in addressing the biopsychosocial needs of individuals and families. 

Fieldwork and Research Opportunities

Graduate students gain hands-on experience through structured clinical practicum and internship placements in community and healthcare settings, providing direct therapeutic contact under faculty supervision and contributing to professional competence. Students also engage in research projects in collaboration with faculty mentors whose scholarly interests align with their own, fostering the development of evidence-informed clinical practice and inquiry.

This combination of supervised fieldwork and faculty-guided research prepares graduates to integrate clinical skill with scholarly understanding in diverse practice environments and supports professional development toward licensure and advanced inquiry.

Careers

Graduates of the Master of Arts in Couple and Family Therapy are prepared for professional roles in a variety of clinical and academic settings. Career pathways include:

• Clinical positions in medical centers, mental health clinics, community agencies and integrated healthcare settings

• Private practice and consulting

• Research and program evaluation roles

• Academic and teaching positions (with additional qualifications as required)

The program equips graduates with the clinical competencies and systemic perspective necessary to provide relationally informed care across diverse populations and practice environments.

Admission Requirements

A minimum of 18 credits of undergraduate coursework in the social sciences is required for admission.

Application Requirements

• Online application and fee
• Transcript(s)
• Three letters of recommendation
• GRE scores (waived for 2021)
• Résumé
• Interview
• Professional goal statement

Requirements for International Students 

All Saint Louis University admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students. International students applying to SLU must also meet the following additional requirements:

• Demonstrate English language proficiency
• Academic records must include an English translation. Unofficial copies may be accepted in some cases for initial admission review, however official copies must be received prior to enrollment. Course-by-course transcript evaluations are accepted. 

Students must submit financial documents to be issued an I-20 for their F-1 visa application. Proof of financial support must include:

• A letter of financial support from the person(s) or sponsoring agency funding the student's time at Saint Louis University
• A letter from the sponsor's bank verifying that the funds are available and will be so for the duration of the student's study at the University

Application Deadline

Applications will be accepted through June 30. Applicants asked for an interview will meet with faculty and current students over Zoom. Please refer to the application checklist to ensure that you have completed the necessary documents. We have waived the GRE as a requirement for this year's application process.

Tuition

Additional charges may apply. Other resources are listed below:

Information on Tuition and Fees

Miscellaneous Fees

Information on Summer Tuition

Scholarships and Financial Aid

For priority consideration for graduate assistantship, apply by Feb. 1.

For more information, visit the Office of Student Financial Services.

Accreditation 

Both the M.A. and Ph.D. in medical family therapy at Saint Louis University are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT), 112 S. Alfred Street, Alexandria, VA 22314, 703.838.9808. 

• Graduates will be able to compare and contrast the major theoretical orientations related to the field of marriage and family therapy. 
• Graduates will attain competency in entry-level marriage and family therapy skills. Subobjectives:
  • Admission, assessment and diagnosis
  • Treatment planning and case management
  • Therapeutic interventions
  • Legal issues, ethics and standards
  • Use of supervision and practicum
  • Social justice issues and self-awareness
• Graduates will be able to understand and use research in clinical practice. 
• Graduates will be able to contribute to competent clinical services and the profession through professional and scholarly modes of communication.
• Graduates will attain an increased cultural competence in working with diverse populations.
• Graduates will be able to demonstrate personal and professional skills that promote social justice through involvement and leadership in their communities.
• Graduates will be able to effectively communicate their values and demonstrate how they guide their personal and professional lives. 

Continuation Standards

Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 in all graduate/professional courses.

Non-Course Requirements

1. Special Project: All students must present their special project and pass this requirement in order to graduate from the program. This requirement takes place in the last semester of the student's course of study.

2. Clinical Hours: All M.A. students are required to complete 500 direct client contact hours in the program, 100 of which must be relational hours, and 50 of which must be telehealth hours (seeing clients virtually). 

This roadmap is just one example of a semester-by-semester plan of study for this program. There are other plans students can and do take. The plan of study for each particular student is established in consultation with each student’s academic advisor; this roadmap does not replace academic advising appointments.

Roadmap notes:

• This Roadmap assumes full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.
• Courses/Milestones marked with an “!” are critical and must be completed in the semester listed in the Roadmap to ensure a timely graduation.
• Course availability and sequencing are subject to change.