The Marriage and Family Therapy masters program admits students on a yearly basis with a Fall semester start. Applications for Fall 2024 will begin September 9, 2023 and the application deadline is February 1, 2024 (9:00 PST). Our graduate programs use PSYCAS, a centralized application service for graduate psychology.
Admissions Criteria
- Completed PSYCAS application.
- Bachelor’s Degree from a regionally accredited institution. Official transcripts of all courses leading to the bachelor’s degree are required.
- Completed Pre-requisite Classes (minimum C-/credit grade):
- Introduction to Psychology
- Abnormal Psychology
- Psychological Research Methods or Experimental Psychology
- Curriculum Vitae/Resume
- Statement of Purpose (double spaced, 2-3 pages)
- Describe how pursuing a MFT degree at the University of La Verne will specifically aid in meeting your professional goals.
- Briefly describe your knowledge of MFT as a profession, including the duties and process of being a MFT in California (or in other states, if applicable);
- Relevant professional or academic experiences that contributed to your preparation as a MFT, including being a consumer of research and commitment to serving underrepresented populations;
- Postgraduate career plans and interests in working with certain populations;
- Discuss why you are specifically interested in the MFT program at the University of La Verne and how the features of our program align with your professional goals.
- Describe how pursuing a MFT degree at the University of La Verne will specifically aid in meeting your professional goals.
- Autobiography (double spaced, 2-3 pages)
- Describe your own life experiences in the context of how these experiences influenced your decision to pursue a MFT degree.
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- Information about your family of origin or current family situation and how they influenced your decision to pursue a MFT degree;
- A description of two or three significant personal experiences that influenced your personal development;
- A discussion regarding any personal experiences in psychotherapy;
- Any other personal experiences or values that also influenced your interest in MFT profession.
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- Describe your own life experiences in the context of how these experiences influenced your decision to pursue a MFT degree.
- Three Letters of Recommendation. Letters from friends or family members are not accepted.
- Interview with Faculty
Preferred Qualifications
- Undergraduate degree with a minimum overall GPA of 3.00/4.00.
- Minimum one year of volunteer or paid experience working with families, children, couples, or individuals.
- Demonstrated commitment to working with underserved populations and a proactive interest in research as consumers of research.
International Students
International students must demonstrate English language proficiency through a satisfactory TOEFL or Duolingo score, such as TOEFL 100 iBT, IELTS 6.5, or Duolingo English Test 120 (see full requirements). Applicants with non-US education must submit their coursework for a course-by-course U.S. equivalency report from a U.S.-based evaluation service, to be sent directly to PSYCAS (click here for more details).
Application Timeline:
| Important Dates | Description |
| Application Period | Application to the MFT program is made through PSYCAS between September and February the year prior to matriculation. Applications for Fall 2024 will begin in September 2023. |
| Application Deadline | All completed applications must be submitted to PSYCAS no later than February 1, 2024 (9:00 p.m. PST). |
| Interview Invitations | Applicants being considered for admission will receive an invitation for an interview in February |
| Interview Period | Interviews with MFT faculty members will take place in late February and March. |
| Writing Examination & Tasks | Complete the writing examination and any other required tasks as part of the admission process. |
| Admission Notifications | Applicants will be notified of their admission status in April. |
| Response Deadline | Admitted students must respond to the admission offer no later than May 15. |
| Admission Deferral Deadline | Applicants may request to defer their admission for one year. |
| Application Deadline | February 1, 2024 (9:00 p.m. PST) |
| Admission Semester | Fall 2024 |
| Application Submission | Online PSYCAS application |
| Application Materials | Curriculum vitae/Resume |
| Autobiography | |
| Statement of purpose | |
| Three letters of recommendation | |
| Official transcripts of all courses leading to the bachelor’s degree | |
| Official transcripts of all graduate level courses (if applicable) | |
| International Students | Official TOEFL scores of 100 iBT, IELTS of 6.5, or Duolingo English test of 120 |
| Contact Information | Natalie Brown, MS Graduate Psychology Manager Email: nbrown2@laverne.edu |
| Note | All materials must be submitted directly to PSYCAS; University of La Verne does not process any materials for MFT applicants. Applicants should not contact the Graduate Admissions Office for application status or materials. |
| PSYCAS Mailing Address | Send your transcripts to: PSYCAS Transcript Processing Center P.O. Box 9138 Watertown, MA 02471 Express mailing address: PSYCAS Transcript Processing Center c/o Liaison International 311 Arsenal Street, Suite 15 Watertown, MA 02472 PSYCAS Customer Service (617) 612-2088 Open Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm EST PSYCAS Frequently Asked Questions / Help |