M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy

Designed to meet the growing demand for well-trained therapists who will respond to the complex needs of children, adults and families, the MFT Program at Pacific Oaks offers a multidisciplinary framework.  Course work for the M.A in Marriage and Family Therapy is centered around the Pacific Oaks philosophy and grounded in the developmental needs of each individual. 

The program prepares students to practice therapy using a collaborative model that is respectful of the client's values, experience and world views and leads to licensure in the State of California.

In addition, the Latina/Latino Family Studies specialization option focuses on the diverse mental health needs of Latina/Latino families.  Classes are held one three-day weekend a month for three years.

The MFT Program is fully accredited and fulfills the Board of Behavioral Science Examiners' educational requirements.  The program includes a thesis project and 48 semester units of courses in the following areas:

• Diagnosis, assessment, treatment of mental disorders; 
• Marital and family system approaches to treatment;
• MFT principles and methods
• Cross-cultural mores and values;
• Clinical theories of child development
• Approaches to child therapy
• California law and professional ethics
• Alcoholism and chemical dependency
• Human sexuality
• Child abuse assessment and reporting
• Spousal or partner abuse assessment; and
• Supervised practicum.

This program is offered only at the Pasadena & Visalia campus.  For more information call the Office of Admissions at (626) 397-1349 or email at admissions@pacificoaks.edu