Offering the only African American centered master’s degree mental health specialization in the United States.

About the African American Family Studies Specialization

Discover how to address the lack of mental health service providers equipped to respond to the unique emotional needs of ethnic minorities and African Americans in particular.

The M.A. Marriage and Family Therapy: African American Family Studies specialization program explores mental health theory and practice from a culture-centered perspective, preparing students to become professionals who use a culturally relevant approach to therapy.

Students will gain knowledge of principles and issues to work with clients from a variety of cultural and ethnic backgrounds, but also develop a deep understanding of the needs of the African American community.

This program is offered in a “cohort” model, providing a culturally transformational educational experience. Together, faculty and students create a learning community that provides an in-depth education and challenges both the personal and professional development of all participants. Students in this marriage and family therapy program also receive intensive supervised field experience that can help prepare them to move directly into the workforce as a Marriage and Family Therapy Associate after graduation.

There is a lack of competent, culturally aware, and informed therapists in our country. The MFT African American Family Studies specialization program is a step in the proper direction for fulfilling the need. With a therapist that looks like me, talks like me, and perhaps from my own neighborhood, I can skip the arduous process of explaining of my Blackness. We can just get to the business of why I’m depressed or anxious.

Angel Hall, Psy.D.
Core faculty member in the School of Cultural and Family Psychology at Pacific Oaks College and coordinator of the MFT, African American Family Studies specialization program.

Why choose Pacific Oaks?

Our Marriage and Family Therapy programs offer multidisciplinary, inclusive curricula based on developmental and family systems theories and evidence-based theory and practice. With years of experience in the field, our faculty help you maintain a commitment to understanding your patients holistically—taking into account life experiences, culture, oppression, and social-political context.

The program also provides you with a robust blend of theory and hands-on practice. By maintaining relationships with clinics and community agencies throughout the greater Los Angeles and San Jose areas, we are able to provide you with extensive choices of locations in diverse communities to fulfill your supervised fieldwork practicum requirement.

Additional Marriage and Family Therapy Specializations

• LGBTQIA+
• Latinx Family Studies
• Trauma Studies

Licensure Information

This MFT program satisfies all of the requirements of SB 33 and the Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) (Business and Professions Code Sections 4980.36c, d e 4980.39, 4980.40, and 4980.41).

The program prepares graduates to sit for the California MFT exam to earn a Marriage and Family Therapist License awarded by the California Board of Behavioral Science.

A few things that sets us apart

• Benefit from flexibility and convenience: Classes occur on nights and weekends to accommodate the working professional.
• Save time with Credit for Learning from Experience: Bachelor’s students can earn up to 24 transfer credit hours that you can apply toward your degree.
• Take advantage of our scholarships and financial aid: Inquire today to learn about scholarships for incoming students along with other financial aid opportunities.
• Have confidence in knowing we are an accredited, nonprofit institution: Accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), Pacific Oaks College is a leading institution in education and human development.