» Frequently Asked Questions

The MFT Program Specialist, Joleen Martin, can answer any questions you may have about the program and is available to schedule virtual or in-person appointments. We also encourage prospective students to attend one of our Information Sessions, where they receive detailed program information and meet our department chair, program specialist, and current MFT students. 

You may contact Joleen at (714) 744-7837 or via email at jomartin@chapman.edu for further information or to schedule an appointment and/or a campus tour.

Chapman University’s MFT program has two admission deadlines. January 15th for Fall and September 15th for Spring. All applications are carefully reviewed, and those who meet the minimum application requirements may be invited to our university for an interview. Applicants will be notified of our admission decision within 6 to 10 weeks of the admission deadline.

If your cumulative undergraduate GPA is less than 3.3, you’ll need to submit a copy of your GRE scores with your application. Otherwise, GRE score submission is optional.

We encourage you to submit letters from individuals who can best speak to your academic and professional strengths and abilities. Typically students submit letters from professors from their academic institution and from supervisors of their clinical or volunteer work.

On average, we admit 20-30% of our total applicants.

This MFT program requires successful completion of 60 units (20 courses) for graduation. For tuition cost per unit, please visit the Chapman University Student Business Services website for the most current tuition information. 

Yes. Students may apply for financial aid through FAFSA. We also offer fellowships to aid in recruiting top candidates to our program. You can find a current list of financial assistance resources here.

The program takes full-time students 3 years to complete. The 2 ½ year plan is also available to those starting in the fall semester. Students may also choose to attend the program on a part-time basis. Our students work with the MFT program specialist to develop a plan of study that works best for them.

Classes are most often offered Monday-Thursday from either 4-6:50 p.m. or 7-9:50 p.m., with the possibility of classes also being offered on Fridays from 1-3:50 p.m. In the final year of study, schedules vary, as students attend clinical supervision meetings, participate in practicum collaborations, and meet with clients in our clinic to complete their practicum requirements.

Our MFT program strives to maintain small class sizes to create opportunities for increased engagement, discussion and faculty accessibility. Classes average around 25-30 students.

All MFT students complete 3 semesters and 1 interterm of practicum at our onsite MFT training clinic. At the clinic, students receive supervised clinical experience treating adults, couples, families and children. Student clinical training includes video-based supervision and clinical case presentations as well as live observation of therapy sessions. Face-to-face practicum hours may be obtained in in-person or telehealth format. Students may also elect to participate in external traineeships for additional clinical experience.

In California, applicants for MFT licensure need to have a qualifying Doctor’s or Master’s degree, have completed of 3,000 supervised work hours and have passed both state licensure exams.  Students typically complete 300-400 hours during the program and must complete the remainder as an MFT associate following graduation. See the Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) website at www.bbs.ca.gov for more details.

Chapman University’s MFT program is accredited through the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE). Although licensure requirements vary from state to state, more than half of state licensure boards accept COAMFTE accredited coursework. For more information on specific state requirements please visit the Association of Marriage & Family Therapy Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB) - https://amftrb.org/

It is much easier to move to another state and meet the educational requirements for licensure by graduating from a COAMFTE school. COAMFTE accreditation compels programs to raise standards and improve program efficiency. Students receive higher quality training due to increased emphasis on program improvement. Of the 75 plus MFT programs in California, only 11 others are COAMFTE accredited.

Students who work full-time after graduation typically take 2 to 3 years to complete the remaining hours for licensure.

Career paths in mental health are an individual choice. Most LMFTs find careers in private practice, outpatient centers, government agencies, health practitioner offices, and residential care centers.  For more statistics on LMFTs in the field, see the Bureau of Labor Statistics website.