Online MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling: Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) Emphasis

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Degree Level

Master's

Class Setting

Online

Area of Study

Psychology

Program

MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling: Marriage and Family Therapy

Current Education Level

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Citizenship Status

U.S. Citizen

Military Affiliation

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Country

United States

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Overview

Help Families Resolve Conflict With an MFT Emphasis

No matter how close a family is, life will always have its ups and downs. As an aspiring marriage and family therapist, you can make it your life’s work to help couples and families overcome obstacles and live harmoniously. The Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with an Emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy at Grand Canyon University focuses on family dynamics, parent-child relationships and issues that affect couples.

Offered by the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, the MFT courses offered through this emphasis will give you the opportunity to proactively plan the direction of your desired career. You will be given the tools to provide individual, couple and family counseling within a carefully structured environment that inspires a sense of security.

14% Job Growth

9,100 new jobs are estimated to open for marriage and family therapists from 2021 to 2031, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.¹

Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with an Emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy

Offered By

College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Class Settings

Evening

Online

Tuition Rate

Online: $600 per credit [More Info]

Evening: $600 per credit [More Info]

Cost of Attendance

Course Information

Credits: 74

Campus: 15 weeks

Online: 8 weeks

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Transfer Credits

The coursework in this program is non-transferable from other institutions.

Credits: Fill out the Lopes Eval to find out what will transfer

Admission Requirements

Admission Requirements (Master's)

Undergraduate Degree*
2.8+ GPA

OR 2.5+ Unweighted GPA and

GMAT: 500
GRE: 300 combined**

Admission requirements may differ based on degree level, program and modality, or transfer status. Some programs of study may require a higher GPA and/or other qualifying criteria for admission. Please review full admission and program requirements in the University Policy Handbook.
* Degree must be from an accredited college or program that has been approved by GCU.
** Combined verbal/quantitative, after August 2011 (1,000 combined verbal and quantitative, prior to August 2011).

Why GCU

Take a Compassionate Approach to Marriage and Family Therapy

Graduates with an MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree focused on MFT can take a family-oriented approach to assessing, diagnosing and treating mental, emotional, behavioral and interpersonal issues. Counselors specializing in MFT are professionals with an in-depth understanding of psychotherapy and family systems. As a student at GCU, you can be inspired to develop your understanding of the Christian worldview and faith-based ethics as you study the curriculum. Future counselors are encouraged to adopt a compassionate and empathetic approach to counseling while maintaining professional boundaries.

Christian Worldview

Earn Your Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Online

Designed to help working professionals earn their advanced counseling degree, this master’s program offers online MFT courses or evening classes for added flexibility and convenience. The MFT online emphasis is available through our online learning where you have access to knowledgeable faculty in the counseling field, as well as online learning resources. As a student in this program, you will also have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience through supervised field experiences.

Other Clinical Mental Health Emphases

Childhood and Adolescence

Christian Counseling

Trauma

Coursework

MFT Courses Allow You To Work Toward Family and Marriage Licensure

The marriage and family therapy courses in this master’s program examine the complex dynamics of families and couples. The coursework begins by covering the fundamentals of the theories and models of counseling. Other early topics of study include the ethical and legal considerations of professional counseling.

Advanced coursework teaches the following core competencies:

The stages, processes and effects of substance use disorders

The counselor’s role in prevention, intervention and recovery

The structure and dynamics of the family

Assessments and methods of marital and family intervention and counseling

The biopsychosocial perspectives of family and family systems

The foundational development of marriage and family therapy

Approaches to working with diverse family systems

Multicultural, blended, adoptive, separated and single-parent families

Careers

Career Paths With an MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling MFT Emphasis

In the field of counseling, each day is unique, given that counselors often engage with a diverse range of clients, each facing their own distinct challenges and circumstances. Marriage and family specialists may help clients cope with difficult issues like infidelity, chronic stress, divorce and financial stressors.

Some marriage and family counselors work in private practice and/or the following settings:²

Hospitals and clinics

Social service agencies

Mental health centers

Substance abuse treatment centers

Accreditation

Take Marriage and Family Therapy Courses From an Accredited University

The courses for this clinical mental health counseling with emphasis in marriage and family therapy program were selected to fit the requirements of the Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CCMHC) credential, the National Certified Counselor (NCC) credential and the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners.

GCU has been institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1968. This accreditation is a reflection of our mission to strive for academic excellence as we prepare students to tackle modern challenges in the workplace. The College of Humanities and Social Sciences shares the university’s commitment to upholding the principles and standards established by our accrediting bodies.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Read through our answers to these frequently asked questions about marriage and family therapy courses and earning your degree in clinical mental health counseling.

GCU’s clinical mental health counseling degree with an MFT focus includes online or evening courses as well as a minimum of 700 hours of supervised field experience through one practicum and two internships. How long it takes to complete the graduate program is dependent on your individual efforts.

In order to become a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) after you receive your accredited master’s degree, you will need to acquire 2,000 to 4,000 hours of supervised clinical experience.³ While the master’s in clinical mental health counseling MFT focus at GCU does not lead to licensure as an MFT, it provides you with the foundational knowledge and skills should you choose to pursue the LMFT path. Additionally, you must pass an approved licensure exam and complete continuing education courses to earn and maintain your license. Check your state for specific licensure requirements.

GCU offers a few master’s in clinical mental health counseling programs, including the marriage and family therapy emphasis. These graduate programs are identical in the counseling related courses, but the MFT emphasis has additional MFT courses specific to family systems and dynamics for those looking to specialize in working with couples and families.

Courses

Course List

Credit Summary

Major74 credits

Degree Requirements74 credits

Core Courses

UNV-508

2 Total Credits

CNL-505

3 Total Credits

Course Description

This course provides a broad understanding of counseling ethics, legal standards, and responsibilities, including professional identity, report writing, record keeping, and service reimbursement for clinical mental health and school counselors. Additionally, the history of and current trends in counseling are addressed. Important goals of this course are to help students develop a strong personal and professional ethic, as well as an appreciation of the value of professional collaboration and identity.

CNL-500

3 Total Credits

CNL-501

3 Total Credits

Course Description

This course provides a broad understanding of the stages, processes, and effects of substance use disorders, biological, social, and psychological dynamics of substance use disorders, and the professional's role in prevention, intervention, and aftercare, including recovery and relapse prevention. This course explores theories and models of treatment of addiction disorders to include understanding different types of addiction disorders, effective skills, drug classification, and assessment. It also continues building foundational knowledge, utilization of professional resources, and exploration of standards to help students prepare for licensure/certification within the counseling industry.

CNL-515

3 Total Credits

Course Description

This course provides a broad understanding of counseling processes, including characteristics and behaviors that influence the helping processes. Included are age, gender, ethnic differences, verbal and nonverbal behaviors, personal characteristics, and orientations. The development of counseling techniques is emphasized, including establishing and maintaining the counseling relationship; diagnosing and identifying the problem; formulating a preventative, treatment, or rehabilitative plan; facilitating appropriate interventions; and successfully terminating the counseling relationship.

CNL-509

3 Total Credits

Course Description

This course provides a broad understanding of issues and trends in a multicultural and diverse society. Studies in this area include the following: attitudes and behaviors based on such factors as age, race, religious preference, physical disability, sexual orientation, ethnicity and culture, family patterns, gender, socioeconomic status and intellectual ability; individual, family, group, and community strategies for working with diverse populations; theories of multicultural counseling and identity development; multicultural competencies; and issues such as substance use disorders. Students examine a variety of cultural populations, exploring issues and trends that are associated with each population. Cultural considerations for immigrants, refugees, and undocumented citizens are also addressed.

CNL-520

3 Total Credits

Course Description

This course provides a broad understanding of group development, group dynamics, group counseling theories, and ethical standards with reference to professional and substance use disorders counseling. The course addresses group process components, appropriate selection criteria, developmental stage theories, group members’ roles and behaviors; and group leadership styles and approaches. The course includes didactic and experiential group learning. Required synchronous group experience: 12 hours. Prerequisite: CNL-515.

CNL-527

3 Total Credits

Course Description

This course introduces students to the basic principles of psychopharmacology and the effects of psychoactive substances. Students examine the behavioral, psychological, physiological and social effects of psychoactive substance use, and learn to recognize symptoms of intoxication, withdrawal, and toxicity. The class covers various screening options, limitations, legal implications, and the utilization of pharmacotherapy as part of substance addiction treatment.

CNL-530

3 Total Credits

Course Description

This course is divided into two distinct and separate sections. The first part of the course examines human sexuality and systems of sexual therapy. Psychological, biological, social, and moral perspectives on sexual development and functioning are also examined. The last part of the course provides an understanding of the nature of aging and older adults. Theories and strategies for facilitating optimum care of older adults are addressed. Elder abuse, dependent adult abuse, and neglect of the aging and older adults are explored. Sexuality, mental health, physical health, the role of substance use disorders, and family issues are also addressed.

CNL-518

3 Total Credits

CNL-521

3 Total Credits

CNL-545

3 Total Credits

Course Description

This eight-topic course is divided into three distinct and separate sections. The first three topics examine crisis intervention and trauma counseling; Theories and strategies of trauma counseling and facilitating crisis interventions are also addressed. The second three topics examine spousal or partner abuse assessment, detection, and intervention strategies. The legal and ethical issues, the role of substance use disorders, and children in families where domestic violence and abuse occur are also addressed. The last two topics examine child abuse assessment and reporting. Legal and ethical issues and specific California child abuse assessment and reporting codes are also examined.

CNL-523

3 Total Credits

Course Description

This course provides an introduction to basic tests and appraisal in counseling. Individual and group approaches to testing, assessment, evaluation, behavioral observations, computer-managed and computer-assisted methods are addressed. The following statistical concepts are also addressed: scales of measurement, measures of central tendency, indices of variability, shapes and types of distributions, correlations, reliability, and validity.

CNL-525

3 Total Credits

CNL-540

3 Total Credits

CNL-610

3 Total Credits

Course Description

This course provides a conceptual framework for the use of assessment and diagnostic tools for the development of appropriate treatment interventions for a variety of behavioral health and substance use disorders. Included is an introduction to the use of the diagnostic tools, including the DSM, and the integration of diagnostic and assessment information, in the development of treatment plans.

CNL-605

3 Total Credits

CNL-644

2 Total Credits

MFT-526

3 Total Credits

Course Description

This course examines the dynamic processes of traditional and nontraditional family and couple relationships and the role, value, and benefits of family systems therapy. The biopsychosocial perspectives of family and family systems are evaluated along with the foundational development of marriage and family therapy. Assessment and treatment of couples and families are also addressed.

MFT-621

3 Total Credits

Course Description

This course examines the development of problems within the family of origin, and the historical and theoretical perspectives of couples and family system dynamics. It addresses the dynamics of the parent/child relationship, family of origin influences, partner selection, and premarital therapy. Family roles and interactional patterns are examined, as are parenting and changes in the parental relationships across the lifespan, resilience, and divorce. Skills and techniques relevant to couples, premarital counseling, family therapy, parenting, and lifestyle transitions are explored.

MFT-620

3 Total Credits

MFT-532

3 Total Credits

CNL-624

2 Total Credits

Course Description

The practicum course is a distinctly defined, supervised clinical fieldwork experience in which the student develops basic counseling skills and integrates professional knowledge under the supervision of a faculty member or an on-site clinical site supervisor approved by the college or university with a minimum of 1 hour per week of individualized and/or triadic supervision throughout the practicum. Practicum students participate in an average of 1 ½ hours per week of group supervision via Zoom with a counseling faculty member or student supervisor who is under the supervision of a counselor education program faculty member on a regular schedule throughout the practicum. Documentation of a minimum requirement of 100 hours of counseling-related activities, which includes 40 direct client contact hours, is submitted electronically for verification and tracking. The practicum is completed prior to the internship; therefore, students may not progress to CNL-664A without the required amount of hours submitted, the required amount of individual and group supervision, and proper approval. This course has multiple synchronous required activities. Students must be prepared to be flexible in meeting the demands of this course in order to progress to the internship. Practicum/field experience hours: 100. State licensure requirements may mandate additional hours. Students must review and adhere to their state board's additional requirements. Prerequisites: Completion of all didactic coursework in the program; a GPA of 3.0 or better; and maintenance of student professional liability insurance in the amount of $1 million, $3 million.

CNL-664A

4 Total Credits

Course Description

The internship course is a distinctly defined, supervised clinical experience in which the student refines and enhances basic counseling and student development of knowledge and skills, and integrates and authenticates professional knowledge and skills related to program objectives. The internship is performed under the supervision of an on-site clinical site supervisor approved by the college or university with an average of 1 hour per week of individualized and/or triadic supervision throughout the internship. Internship students participate in a minimum of 1 ½ hours per week of group supervision via Zoom with a counseling faculty member or student supervisor who is under the supervision of a counselor education program faculty member on a regular schedule throughout the internship. Documentation of 300 hours of counseling-related activities, which includes a required minimum of 120 direct client contact hours, is submitted electronically for verification and tracking. Internship hours: A minimum of 300 total hours of which 120 is total direct hours. Students must successfully complete CNL-624 before progressing to the internship. This course has multiple synchronous required activities. Students must be prepared to be flexible in meeting the demands of this course in order to meet the internship requirements. Practicum/field experience hours: 300. State licensure requirements may mandate additional hours. Students must review and adhere to their state board's additional requirements. Prerequisites: CNL-624; a GPA of 3.0 or better; maintenance of student professional liability insurance in the amount of $1 million, $3 million; and college approval.

CNL-664B

4 Total Credits

Course Description

The internship course is a distinctly defined, supervised clinical experience in which the student refines and enhances basic counseling and student development of knowledge and skills, and integrates and authenticates professional knowledge and skills related to program objectives. The internship is performed under the supervision of an on-site clinical site supervisor approved by the college or university with an average of 1 hour per week of individualized and/or triadic supervision throughout the internship. Internship students participate in a minimum of 1 ½ hours per week of group supervision via Zoom with a counseling faculty member or student supervisor who is under the supervision of a counselor education program faculty member on a regular schedule throughout the internship. Documentation of 300 hours of counseling-related activities, which includes a required minimum of 120 direct client contact hours, is submitted electronically for verification and tracking. This course has multiple synchronous required activities. Students must be prepared to be flexible in meeting the demands of this course in order to meet the internship requirements. Practicum/field experience hours: 300. State licensure requirements may mandate additional hours. Students must review and adhere to their state board's additional requirements. Prerequisites: CNL-624 and CNL-664A; a GPA of 3.0 or better; maintenance of student professional liability insurance in the amount of $1 million, $3 million; and college approval.

GCU cannot and will not promise job placement, a job, graduate school placement, transfer of GCU program credits to another institution, promotion, salary, or salary increase. Please see the Career Services Policy in the University Policy Handbook.
Please note that this list may contain programs and courses not presently offered, as availability may vary depending on class size, enrollment and other contributing factors. If you are interested in a program or course listed herein please first contact your University Counselor for the most current information regarding availability.
Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Programs or courses subject to change

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¹ COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 and 2021 may be atypical compared to prior years. The pandemic may impact the predicted future workforce outcomes indicated by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics as well. Accordingly, data shown is effective September 2022, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Marriage and Family Therapists, retrieved on June 21, 2023.

² U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2022, Sept 8). Marriage and Family Therapists: Work Environment. Retrieved June 21, 2023.

³ U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2022, Sept 8). How To Become a Marriage and Family Therapist. Retrieved June 21, 2023.

Online MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling: Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) Emphasis

Online MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling: Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) Emphasis

Help Families Resolve Conflict With an MFT Emphasis

14% Job Growth

Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with an Emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy

Take a Compassionate Approach to Marriage and Family Therapy

Earn Your Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Online

MFT Courses Allow You To Work Toward Family and Marriage Licensure

Career Paths With an MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling MFT Emphasis

Marriage and Family Licensure Information

Take Marriage and Family Therapy Courses From an Accredited University

Frequently Asked Questions

Course List

Start Your Journey Today!

Course List

Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with an Emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy