The Couple and Family Therapy (CFT) master’s program is offered in Irvine, Los Angeles, Sacramento, and San Diego and leads to a Master of Arts in Marital and Family Therapy. The CFT program provides training for a career as a professional marriage and family therapist. Students are trained to treat relational mental health issues with individuals, couples, and families from a systemic perspective. Skills are developed in the mental health assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of individuals and relationship systems. The program provides an integrative approach to the major systemic theories and interventions. It fulfills all academic requirements for application to the State of California’s examination for a marriage and family therapist license (Section 4980.40 and 4980.41 of Business and Professions Code). Licensed marriage and family therapists work in a variety of settings including hospitals, clinics, social service agencies, churches, the military, educational institutions, and private practice. The CFT master’s program offers concentrations in chemical dependency, gerontology, and Latin American family therapy. Additionally, students may do a concentration in LGBT Human Services and Mental Health or Infant-Preschool Mental Health, both of which are done online. All of these concentrations require additional coursework.
All requirements for the master’s in CFT at Alliant are also a part of the PsyD in CFT program. Students who complete the master’s in CFT, apply in a timely manner, and are accepted into the doctoral program may apply all CFT master’s requirements toward the completion of the CFT doctoral program.
The Couple and Family Therapy master’s program at Alliant International University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) (112 South Alfred Street, Alexandria, VA 22314; Phone: 703-838-9808; Email: coamfte@aamft.org).
Student Learning Outcomes
A graduate of the Masters of Arts program in Couple and Family Therapy is able to:
1) Apply MFT theories to conceptualize from a relational perspective the strength, problems, and dynamics in individuals, couples, families, and in other types of systems.
2) Apply MFT techniques to promote health, and prevent and treat problems in individuals, couples, families and other types of relationships.
3) Use MFT theories and techniques in ways that exemplify cultural competence, demonstrate respect for the dignity and worth of all people and enhance appreciation of peoples’ diversity.
4) Practice MFT in ways that adhere to and exemplify all legal and ethical standards. They will also have an understanding regarding the broader mental health system and the ability to work within larger social context (courts, schools, religions, legal, etc)
5) Comprehend and apply family life cycle development to families from multiple cultures and countries.
6) Use MFT interviewing techniques, assessment techniques, and treatment techniques in ways that facilitate effective individual and relational functioning.
7) Practice MFT in ways that demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of the principles of psychopathology, psychopharmacology, chemical dependency, sex therapy, approaches to working with parents and children, and other disciplines.
8) Understand and apply MFT research literature and have a lifetime commitment to staying current in MFT theory and technique.
9) Meet relevant AAMFT Core Competencies.
General Requirements
The CFT practicum program includes 500 hours of direct client contact, 250 with couples or families; students receive at least 100 hours of individual and group supervision, at least 50 hours of which are based on direct observation or videotape. During the program, the student must supplement his or her academic and clinical work with 50 hours of professional development activities. These include approved workshops, colloquia, and seminars. Twenty-five of these hours may involve personal counseling or psychotherapy with a licensed person who is not core faculty at Alliant. The program requires completion of a minimum of 63 units. Students are required to pass a comprehensive examination prior to completing their degree program.
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