Learn More
Master of Marriage & Family Therapy
Complete this short form to learn more about our M.M.F.T. program. ACU’s Office of Graduate Programs will reach out shortly to discuss your interests and answer your questions. Additionally, you can find more great information on this program at the button below.
Program Structure
What To Expect
These are the important details you will need to keep in mind as you prepare your application and degree plan.
This degree prepares you to sit for the Marriage and Family Therapy National exam administered by the Association of Marital & Family Therapy Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB).
Tracks
Marriage and Family Therapy, MMFT (MFTH)
Thesis Track, MMFT (MFTT)
Required Hours
Program length: 2 years
Credit hours: 60
2024/2025 tuition per credit hour: $1,383
Example Coursework
Family Theory/General Systems Theory
Couples Therapy
Family Therapy across the Life Cycle
Theological Perspectives on Human Behavior
Department
Marriage and Family Studies
Application Deadlines
Priority Deadline: January 17
Standard Deadline: February 14
Extended Deadline: April 1
Interview Dates
Priority (In-Person): January 31
Standard (Virtual): February 21
Standard (In-Person): March 7
Extended (Modality TBD): April 11
Frequently Asked Questions
About the MMFT Program
Our goal is to produce excellent, ethical and diversity-respecting marriage and family therapists ready for clinical practice or doctoral work. Our program prepares students for licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist and graduates commonly pursue careers in private practices, churches, schools, adoption agencies, residential treatment centers, and family service agencies, or they pursue doctoral work in marriage and family therapy. We prepare students through our commitment to excellent teaching practices and the 500-hour clinical internship in our on-site therapy clinic, the Marriage and Family Institute. We prepare students for doctoral work through rigorous assignments, course work in research methods and statistics, and our optional thesis track.
Program Goals
The mission of the Department of Marriage and Family Studies is to equip students to strengthen family relationships and solve personal and relational problems through child and family services or therapeutic intervention while cultivating Christian leadership and character in each student. The graduate program in Marriage and Family Therapy accomplishes this mission through:
- Introducing students to a broad range of therapeutic models;
- Providing an exceptional clinical training experience;
- Exploring Christian principles related to the practice of Marriage and Family Therapy
- Encouraging students to cultivate their own spiritual beliefs and worldviews;
- Equipping students to work with diverse and marginalized communities;
- Encouraging development of professional identity and leadership; and
- Creating a culture of research.
Students will gain real-world experience through a 500-hour internship in our on-campus multilingual Marriage and Family Institute. Clinical experiences begin during your first semester and continue throughout the program.
Licensure
Your MFT degree and clinical experience are an essential cornerstone of becoming an LMFT, but your journey doesn’t stop here. Our program prepares you for licensure in Texas and in order to begin practicing professionally, you’ll need to take and pass the Association of Marriage and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards’ MFT National Examination. Understand more about this national exam, what is required for licensure in Texas, and what other states require at the buttons below.
MFS Department Chair and MMFT Program Director
Department of Marriage and Family Studies
- Complete an online application
- Pay the $65 application fee
- An official transcript(s) in English (or translated to English) of all previous colleges attended. The transcript must indicate an earned bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university or equivalent. If you attended a college or university located outside of the United States, a transcript evaluation by World Education Services is required
- A cumulative undergraduate approximate B average or above in the area of focus or related area and evidence of an overall productive GPA;
- Three letters of recommendation
- A written purpose statement declaring why the applicant wishes to study marriage and family therapy at ACU and what he or she plans to do professionally upon graduation
- Complete the psychosocial history form
- An on-campus interview with the faculty. The personal interview for applicants residing outside the continental United States can be done via Zoom.
- If admitted to the program, students will be subject to a background check.
ACU offers the Master of Marriage and Family Therapy in two formats:
- Thesis: Ideal for those aspiring to a doctoral degree, you’ll participate in an independent research project under the guidance of a faculty member. Review the list of courses and all descriptions at the button below.
- Non-Thesis: In lieu of a thesis, you’ll collaborate with other MFT students under the direction of a faculty member to complete a research project. Review the list of courses and all descriptions at the button below.
Departmental scholarships are available. Departmental scholarships are based on merit, are first-come, first-serve, and generally range from 10-50% of tuition. Most students with at least a 3.0 GPA will receive a scholarship. Because of the need for Spanish-speaking therapists in Abilene, additional scholarships are available for students able to conduct therapy in Spanish. Scholarships are awarded after students are admitted to the program.