Overview
The M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy (M.S./M.F.T.), offered through Seton Hall University's College of Education and Human Services, provides students with the coursework and supervised clinical training experiences to work toward earning a license-eligible degree in marriage and family therapy. Students learn to assess and treat families, couples and individuals in their systemic contexts. The program of study is designed for the beginning professional. Initial courses help build the foundations in counseling/therapy skills. Students complete the standard curriculum as stipulated by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education. Students in the program gain a knowledge base in psychology and systemic thinking for couple and family therapy as they prepare for professional practice based on ethical principles and multicultural understanding.
 
A Unique Approach
Seton Hall University offers the only master's program in marriage and family therapy in the state of New Jersey. Students in the program ordinarily complete the program in three years; however, an option of finishing the program in two years, including summers, is available for students deemed ready for accelerated academic and clinical work. Students in the program come from the United States and abroad and an emphasis on multicultural processes runs throughout the curriculum and clinical training.
 
Who Should Apply?
Individuals interested in working with children and their families, couples and people in their larger family/social contexts should apply to this program. Undergraduate students approaching graduation and those with a baccalaureate degree who want to work with families, children and couples in counseling and therapy find opportunities for professional training ending in a license-eligible degree. Applicants who do not have experience providing counseling/therapy must demonstrate a readiness to do so. For specific application requirements, click on admissions.

The Program
The M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy is a 60-credit program that combines foundation courses and core courses in marriage and family with 500 hours of clinical training (100 hours must be approved supervision). During the program, students will acquire:

• Family assessment and intervention skills with individuals, couples and families across the life cycle;
• Clinical competence through intensive supervision with AAMFT-approved supervisors;
• Multicultural awareness, knowledge and skills in assessment and treatment;
• Ethical understanding through development of a decision-making process informed by the codes of ethics and personal values;
• Integrative perspective through the study of psychological foundations, life span development and systems-based theories and practices.

 
The degree fulfills the current educational requirements for licensing in New Jersey as a marriage and family therapist and for clinical membership in the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. For detailed program requirements, click on curriculum.
 
Career Advancement
Graduates of the M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy program are working in key leadership positions as clinicians in community mental health centers; social service agencies; child protective services (DYFS); hospitals; schools; prisons; and, when licensed in private practice in urban, suburban and inner-city settings in the tristate area and around