Master of Science in Clinical Psychology...
Prepare for Your MFT Licensure Online or In-Person
Gain the skills to provide meaningful care that helps individuals, couples, and families build stronger relationships. Notre Dame de Namur University’s (NDNU) Master of Science in Clinical Psychology - Marriage and Family Therapist (MSCP-MFT) program offers you the clinical foundation to pursue licensure in California and prepare for doctoral study, backed by NDNU’s 100-plus years of educational excellence and commitment to service.
Program at a Glance
- Requirements: 60 units
- Program length: 2-3 years
- Learning format: Fully online, in-person, hybrid
- Application deadline: August 1 - Fall admission; December 1 - Spring admission; April 1 - Summer admission
Why Choose NDNU’s Marriage and Family Therapist Program
Flexible Scheduling
Choose from afternoon, evening, and weekend courses, plus in-person, synchronous, and asynchronous online options, to fit your busy work schedule. You can complete the program at your own pace.
Expert Mentors
Learn from experienced professors who are actively practicing clinicians, engaged in scholarship, and serving the mental health needs of the community.
Community Oriented
Join a well-respected, holistic program with a values-based mission and deep community engagement, including providing more than 20,000 hours of mental health services in California.
Licensure Preparation
NDNU graduates have strong first-time pass rates on licensing exams. This achievement is supported by the fact that NDNU students can take mock MFT licensing exams with a leading licensing exam company, Association for Advanced Training in the Behavioral Sciences, at no charge.
Scholarship Opportunities
Access affordable tuition along with scholarship opportunities and financial plans designed to make your MFT degree more attainable.
Personalized Support
Get personalized attention and guidance, whether you study online or on campus. Our professors, advisors, and student support staff are committed to your success.
MFT Program Structure & Curriculum
NDNU’s MS in Clinical Psychology - Marriage and Family Therapist degree program blends a structured core curriculum with electives that allow you to customize your education around the clients you hope to serve. This includes specific populations, specialized therapy modalities, or particular clinical settings.
The Master of Science in Clinical Psychology - MFT program is available only to California residents and meets all California Board of Behavioral Sciences requirements.
Students in the on-campus and online master’s in clinical psychology - MFT program take core courses:
- Psychopathology
- Child and Adolescent Psychopathology and Psychotherapy
- Neurophysiology & Psychopharmacology
- Lifespan Development
- Human Sexuality
- Professional Ethics and Law
- Cross-cultural Issues
- Diagnosis/Treatment of Addictions
- Clinical Assessment/Treatment
- Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Group Psychotherapy
- Couples Psychotherapy
- Family Systems and Relational Psychotherapy
- Career Development Theories & Techniques
- Crisis, Trauma, and Recovery
- Specialized Clinical Topics
- Death, Dying, and Bereavement
- Clinical Case Seminar I & II
- Clinical Practicum I & II
- Research Methods
- Positive Psychology & Mindfulness
- Organizational Consultation/Eval for Mental Health Professionals
- Coaching for Psychotherapists & Mental Health Professionals
- Expressive Arts Therapy
- Innovations in Psychotherapy: Wellness, Spirituality and Advanced Theories
Hands-on training is an essential requirement for MFT students. We offer two practicums: the optional Supervised Field Experience and the required two-semester Clinical Practicum/Clinical Case Seminar course. The clinical hours you earn will count toward MFT licensure requirements.
The optional Supervised Field Experience enables you to begin training year-round at a clinical site after completing 12 graduate units. This option helps you gain experience and accrue hours over a longer period of time without taking on the full responsibilities of the two-semester-long practicum. This option works well for many working adults.
The two-semester, Clinical Practicum/Clinical Case Seminar is required and immerses you in a supervised clinical site of your choice, where seasoned professionals guide your development for 15 to 20 hours per week. Students who take Supervised Field Experience typically do fewer hours per week during Clinical Practicum/Case Seminar.
The program’s director of clinical training, an experienced clinical psychologist, supports you through well-established practicum partnerships, individualized placement guidance, and supervised clinical experience opportunities in California.
Is an MS in Clinical Psychology - MFT Program Right for You?
Choose Your Preferred Learning Style
NDNU’s MFT degree is designed for working professionals, offering online and/or in-person options so you can choose the learning style that best suits your situation. Speak with an admissions counselor to explore what’s available.
100% Online Learning
The online MFT program offers scheduling flexibility and allows students to choose between synchronous or asynchronous classes. A mixture of both is available. Speak with a counselor to learn more.
Synchronous Classes
- Real-time virtual class sessions
- Live online discussions and collaborative learning
- Regular faculty and peer connection through virtual meetings and professors’ office hours
Asynchronous Classes
- Flexible online learning with access to pre-recorded, interactive course material
- Coursework completed at your own pace
- Ongoing faculty and peer connection through virtual meetings and professors’ office hours
In-Person Learning
Experience in-person classes that foster connection, discussion, and hands-on learning. Attend afternoon, evening, or weekend courses on campus and engage directly with classmates and professors in a supportive setting.
Hybrid Learning
Balance online classes with in-person learning in Belmont, California. The hybrid format offers networking opportunities and on-campus mentorships while maintaining flexibility.
Marriage and Family Therapist Career Outcomes
Earning a graduate degree from an accredited marriage and family therapy program that meets all Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) requirements, whether online or on campus, opens the door to meaningful work with individuals, couples, and families. NDNU graduates can pursue licensure and step into clinical roles serving patients to help them build better relationships and improve their well-being.
Depending on interests and clinical training focus, graduates may work in settings such as:
- Private practice and group practices
- Community mental health agencies
- Hospitals and integrated healthcare systems
- Schools, colleges, and student support services
- Nonprofit organizations and social service programs
- Treatment centers and specialized outpatient clinics
Potential Careers
- Mediator
- Clinical Supervisor
- Behavioral Health Consultant
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Counselor
- Crisis Counselor
- Rehabilitation Counselor
- Clinical Researcher
- Consultant
- Adjunct Faculty/Professor/Program Director
- Community Mental Health Worker
- Group Therapist
- Executive Director
- Program Director or Program Manager for Clinical Services
- Policy and Programming Consultant for Mental Health Needs
- Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT)
- Private Practice Therapist (MFT and/or LPCC)
- School Counselor
- Counselor/Therapist/Coach (MFT and/or LPCC)
- Substance Abuse Counselor
- Child Custody Recommending Counselor
For students who pursue dual licensure, career options may broaden as they develop the skills to work with a wider range of client needs and mental health concerns. According to Indeed, the base salary for licensed MFTs in California in 2026 is over $105,000/year.
Admission Requirements
- Completed online application
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
- Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
- Current resume
- Two professional references (name, relationship/title, email, phone) in place of recommendation letters.
- An interview may be waived at the discretion of the school’s dean or program director.
The GRE and GMAT scores are not required.
Transform Your Career: Prepare to Become a Licensed MFT at NDNU
Gain the knowledge and skills to help people address mental health challenges as a marriage and family therapist. Take the next step toward becoming a licensed MFT by requesting more information or starting your application today.
Program FAQs
The MS-CP-MFT program takes two to three years and requires 60 units.
The MS-CP-MFT is the Master of Science in Clinical Psychology with a Marriage and Family Therapist track. The MFT-only licensure pathway has a stronger emphasis on couples, family, and relational therapy. MSCP-MFT/LPCC is the dual-track option that adds coursework to meet the educational requirements to pursue both licenses: Marriage and Family Therapist and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor.
With our emphasis on personalized service, which includes individualized advising, we provide a flexible class schedule to accommodate your needs.
- Go at your own pace, learning in the way that is best for you.
- You cycle through our program in loose cohorts with your peers.
- Whether you are attending part-time or full-time, courses are conveniently offered in the late afternoon, evening, and on the weekend, catering to the needs of working adults.
Yes, our program is accredited by WSCUC (WASC) and fulfills all California requirements with the Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) for licensed marriage and family therapists (MFT) and licensed professional clinical counselors (LPCC).
NDNU boasts high first-time pass rates for MFT/LPCC exams and provides rigorous preparation through a curriculum that emphasizes practical skills and theoretical knowledge. Faculty members, who are experienced clinicians themselves, ensure that students are well prepared for licensure.
Students and alumni have multiple opportunities to take all the mock MFT licensing exams by a leading licensing exam company, Association for Advanced Training in the Behavioral Sciences, at no charge.
NDNU sponsors various programs, including our Clinical Training Night, Practicum and Associates Fair, Building a Successful Private Practice, Professional Pathways, Diversity Discussions, Community Connections, and the Get Psyched! Professional Development Series, to foster students’ professional growth and networking opportunities.
NDNU’s program welcomes a diverse range of students, including recent graduates, career changers, parents, working adults, international students, and individuals with diverse academic backgrounds.
NDNU’s program has a strong commitment to community engagement, providing over 20,000 hours of mental health services to California. This commitment aligns with the program’s holistic, values-based mission emphasizing professional training and community service.
Yes, clinical practicum and clinical case seminar sites are available throughout California to meet students’ geographical needs. Students must attend the practicum on-site.
Yes! Their application will be considered on an individual basis. Since the program prepares students for licensure in CA, international students should check the training requirements for their country.
State Authorization for Online Programs
The Department of Education requires that institutions offering online or distance learning programs outside of their home states must seek authorization to operate from regulatory bodies in those states. Each state has a different set of requirements when it comes to allowing out-of-state colleges and universities to offer online degree programs to its residents.