Masters of Marriage and Family Therapy

Program Information

FAQ's

How long does the program take to complete?

A new cohort starts each fall.  The program takes 5 semesters, including the Summer semester between the first and second years.  A student completes the program in two years, continuously enrolled for 5 consecutive semesters.

What is the emphasis of the program?

The MMFT program is ideally suited for those interested in a traditional career as a clinical mental health practitioner specializing in family relationships. The program emphasizes assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and client management of individuals, couples and families. Students will be able to integrate systemic/MFT theory, scholarly work, cultural understanding, and ethical principles into their clinical practice.

Those choosing the alternate option of M.S. in MFT program will engage in additional research and experience in pursuing a doctoral degree in MFT.  This adds an extra Thesis class the last two semesters of the program for the completion of a thesis.

 

 

When are MFT classes held?

We try to keep classes from 2-5 pm, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Practicum is usually Wednesday evening from 5-8 for the first two semesters.  Students should be able to do at least 10 hours a week internship, and 2.5 hours practicum a week.

Are there prerequisites required?

Basic knowledge is required.  You should complete Introduction to Psychology/General Psychology, Lifespan Development (or equivalent), and Abnormal Psychology.  Experience in the field is also good to have.

What does the program cost?

The cost for the entire program is $21,180.60 for in-state tuition and $48,315.60 for out-of-state tuition.  This cost includes tuition and fees for the MMFT 45 credit program.  (May 2022)

Rent right now is difficult as St. George is 99% occupied of available rentals.   If you are serious about attending here, get on rental waiting lists now.  Singles can expect to pay $400-$800/month, and married anywhere from $700-$2000/month. (January 2022)

Student housing is the most economical, but fills up very quickly.

UT Student Housing

Accreditation

The UT MFT program is not yet accredited by COAMFTE. Although the program was designed to align with current COAMFTE accreditation requirements and we continue to work towards accreditation, we cannot guarantee that the program will become accredited in the future. We plan to seek COAMFTE accreditation as soon as possible after the first cohort of students has graduated, and we have data about that cohort’s rates of licensure, employment and passing the national exam.

Licensure and Degree Portability

There are two primary disadvantages of graduating from a non-accredited MFT program.

 

1)         In-state licensure: Students who do not graduate from a COAMFTE-accredited program need to complete additional paperwork toward their application for Utah licensure as an Associate MFT. Students need to be ready to demonstrate that their program meets the Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL) educational requirements for MFT licensure (See Appendix). Note: It is recommended that students keep a copy of all syllabi so that they can provide this course information to DOPL if requested.

 

Although the UT MFT program was designed to align exactly with DOPL educational requirements for Utah MFT licensure (see Appendix), we cannot guarantee licensure because that decision is made by DOPL, not UT (see Appendix).

 

2)         Out of State Licensure: Because many states recognize COAMFTE-accreditation as a primary consideration for MFT licensure, a student who does not graduate from a COAMFTE-accredited program may find the process of applying for licensure in a state outside of Utah to be less straightforward than a student who graduates from an accredited program. The DSU program was designed to meet licensing standards in Utah. State licensing standards vary, and students who plan to leave Utah after graduation should make themselves fully aware of the licensing requirements for the state or country in which they plan to practice marriage and family therapy. Note: It is strongly advised that students obtain current and accurate information about licensing requirements in a state to which they may move. It is also recommended that students keep a copy of all syllabi so that they can provide this course information to a licensing board if requested.

Related Resource Links

Educational Outcomes Program Requirements Program Behavioral Expectations for Students UT Health and Counseling Center Assessing and Applying Remediation Code of Professional Conduct and General Grievance Procedures UT MFT Program Course Alignment with DOPL Educational Requirements MFT Practicum Alternative Therapeutic Contact Hours Theory of Change Paper UT MFT Curriculum Map Program Manual