Plan Description
The Marriage and Family Therapy Master of Science Degree Program, a 60 semester hour course of study, prepares candidates for licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) in Nevada. MFTs work with individuals, couples, families, and groups on mental health, behavioral, personal and/or relational concerns. MFTs are employed in a wide range of settings, including public and private, for-profit and non-profit agencies, hospitals and social service agencies. They may practice independently after they are fully licensed. While there are similarities between MFT licensing requirements for most states, students are strongly encouraged to become familiar with the licensing requirements in the state(s) wherein they want to practice as an MFT. Students who are in their final semester of completing of their degrees may apply to the State of Nevada Board of Examiners for Marriage and Family Therapists and Clinical Professional Counselors for licensure as an MFT Intern. Once approved by the Board, a licensed Marriage and Family Therapy Intern is eligible to practice under the direct supervision of an AAMFT Approved Supervisor or AAMFT Supervisor Candidate. Further information on this process may be obtained by calling the board’s office. Students should be aware that the state’s post-master’s internship and the department’s pre-master’s internships are in no way related. The department does not offer, nor otherwise sanction, state internships.
For more information about your program including your graduate program handbook and learning outcomes please visit the Degree Directory.
Plan Admission Requirements
Application deadlines
Applications available on the UNLV Graduate College website.
The master’s degree program requires that applicants apply for admission to the Graduate College, as well as to the Department of Marriage and Family Therapy as Applicants must provide official transcripts of all college level coursework. In addition, applicants are required to submit Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores on both the Verbal and Quantitative sections of the general test. A minimum score of 450 is required on each and must have been taken within five years prior to submitting admission applications. A minimum grade point average of 2.75 for all undergraduate work and a 3.00 for the last two years of undergraduate work is required.
Applicants must also make arrangements for three letters of recommendation to be sent directly to the department, along with a departmental application form, and two writings (an autobiographical writing and an essay on the family). Potential students should visit the department website for specific application materials (http://mft.unlv.edu/index.html). Applications are accepted once a year, with a January 15 priority deadline and a final deadline of July 1. The application process also involves an extensive on-campus interview for viable candidates, with all candidates participating in interviews together. Classes begin in the Fall semester.
Note: Non-admitted students may take up to three selected courses (see course listing for prerequisites) prior to formal admission to the program (MFT 701, MFT 759 and MFT 763). If admitted, these courses are eligible to count toward the degree. However, program tuition remains the same. Please contact the Marriage and Family Therapy graduate coordinator for more information.
All domestic and international applicants must review and follow the Graduate College Admission and Registration Requirements.
Students are accepted into a degree program as described in the Graduate Catalog. The faculty and corresponding sub-disciplines and sub-plans within the described programs are subject to change at any time.
Subplan 1 Requirements: Thesis Track
Total Credits Required: 60
Course Requirements
Required Courses – Credits: 54
CFT 701 - Introduction to Couples and Family Therapy
CFT 719 - Sexual Issues in Couples and Family Therapy
CFT 720 - Counseling Across the Lifespan
CFT 725 - Diversity in Marriage and Family Therapy
CFT 731 - Substance Abuse in Couples and Family Therapy
CFT 759 - Family Dynamics
CFT 762 - Diagnosis in Marriage and Family Therapy
CFT 763 - Family Systems Theory
CFT 764 - Principles and Practices of Couples and Family Therapy I
CFT 765 - Principles and Practices of Couples and Family Therapy II
CFT 771 - Ethical and Legal Issues in Marriage and Family Therapy
CFT 773 - Marriage and Family Practicum (three semesters for 9 credits)
CFT 776 - Internship in Couples and Family Therapy (two semesters for 6 credits)
CFT 777 - Couples Counseling
CFT 779 - Couples and Family Therapy Research Seminar
Thesis – Credits: 6
CFT 749 - Thesis
Degree Requirements
- Have a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 or better in the program. Students who receive an F, or more than two Cs, will be separated from the program.
- A grade of B or better is required in any practicum or internship or the course must be repeated.
- Students are required to complete 6 credits of thesis.
- In consultation with his/her advisor, a student will organize a thesis committee of at least three departmental members. In addition, a fourth member from outside the department, known as the Graduate College Representative, must be appointed. An additional committee member may be added at the student and department’s discretion. Please see Graduate College policy for committee appointment guidelines.
- Every student will be reviewed each semester to determine adequate progress and retention in the program.
- The full time program is sequenced so that students take a certain number or courses or credits each semester, including summer. A student who does not follow the designated course sequence may lack prerequisites for their next courses, and, therefore, may need to wait for a course to be offered again in the next cycle. It is the responsibility of the student to discuss course sequencing and planned timing with their advisor. Not all courses are offered every semester or every year. There are many courses that are offered only once each calendar year. Thus, it is imperative that students take the recommended number of credits and stay in sequence in order for them to graduate in a timely manner.
Graduation Requirements
- The student must submit all required forms to the Graduate College and then apply for graduation up to two semesters prior to completing his/her degree requirements.
- The student must submit and successfully defend his/her thesis by the posted deadline. The defense must be advertised and is open to the public. .
- The student must submit his/her approved, properly formatted hard-copy thesis to the Graduate College, and submit the approved electronic version to ProQuest by the posted deadline.