Do you have a passion for community building and helping individuals and groups navigate their personal struggles? ACU’s Master of Marriage and Family Therapy program builds on your knowledge of therapy practices and helps you apply advanced techniques to help couples and families grow and succeed together. Through personalized coursework and real-world experiences, you further develop the expertise needed to address complex issues such as conflict resolution, trauma, and communication within a variety of family structures.
Program Highlights
ACU’s Master of Marriage and Family Therapy program refines your skills in assessing and treating relational issues to promote individual, familial, and social well-being. In this program, you gain real-world experience through our on-campus, multilingual Marriage and Family Institute intership opportunities. With a growing demand for qualified marriage and family therapists, this degree ensures you are well-positioned to thrive in this career field.¹
Example Coursework
Family Theory/General Systems Theory
Couples Therapy
Family Therapy across the Life Cycle
Theological Perspectives on Human Behavior
Common Job Titles
Marriage Counselor
Couple's Therapist
Family Therapist
Social Worker
Admission Requirements
Complete an online application.
Pay the $65 application fee.
A minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.2.
An official transcript(s) in English (or translated to English) of all previous colleges attended. The transcript must indicate an earned bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university or equivalent. If you attended a college or university located outside of the United States, a transcript evaluation by World Education Services is required.
A cumulative undergraduate approximate B average or above in the area of focus or related area and evidence of an overall productive GPA.
Three letters of recommendation.
A written purpose statement declaring why the applicant wishes to study marriage and family therapy at ACU and what he or she plans to do professionally upon graduation.
Complete the psychosocial history form.
An on-campus interview with the faculty. The personal interview for applicants residing outside the continental United States can be done via Zoom.
If admitted to the program, students will be subject to a background check.
Strengthen Communities, Build Brighter Futures
Upon completion of ACU’s Master of Marriage and Family Therapy program, you will be prepared for advanced roles in a diverse amount of settings including private practices, churches, schools, adoption agencies, residential treatment centers, and family service agencies. This program prepares you to sit for the Marriage and Family Therapy National exam administered by the Association of Marital & Family Therapy Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB). You also gain the credentials to pursue doctoral studies in family and marriage therapy.
Jumpstart your future with the financial support you need
Explore Your Financial Aid Opportunities at ACU!
At Abilene Christian University, we understand graduate programs are a big investment. That’s why we offer a variety of financial aid options designed to ease the cost and maximize your potential. Whether you're pursuing a scholarship, a graduate assistantship, or funding for professional travel, ACU provides unique and flexible solutions to support your academic journey. Here are some resources we have to help you achieve your goals.
Scholarships
When you’re accepted into an ACU graduate program, you’re considered for a scholarship tailored just for you—based on your skills, achievements, and the department you enter. Plus, additional scholarships may be available through external professional organizations and accrediting bodies.
Graduate Assistantships
Many ACU departments offer competitive graduate assistantships to enrich your learning experience while providing financial support. Assistantship requirements and expectations vary by department and can cover a generous portion of your tuition costs.
Academic Travel Reimbursement
ACU’s GSA Travel Reimbursement makes it easier for graduate students to attend national and international conferences, research presentations, and other academic travel needs. These funds help make travel more accessible, ensuring financial concerns won’t hold you back from gaining valuable experience in professional settings around the world.
Hear From Our Students
"I remember telling my friends this school was so different from any of the others, as it had a certain ‘feel’ about it. This feeling definitely came from the community of loving individuals who not only want to see you excel academically, but in all areas of life."
Lexi Burns
"I am grateful for not only the academic enrichment I have received but also the spiritual and professional investment I will carry with me for years to come from faculty and fellow peers. I look forward to implementing the same culture into my future workplace!"
Tiley Elliot
"ACU has provided me with amazing clinical opportunities that foster so much growth!"
Kaleigh Tom
"When I picked ACU, I knew the community was tight-knit and the professors are experts and leaders in our profession, but I could not have anticipated how much I would love being a part of this program."
ACU's Master of Marriage and Family Therapy (MMFT) program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE). COAMFTE accredits master’s degree, doctoral degree and post-graduate degree clinical training programs in marriage and family therapy throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Graduates of the program will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT).
After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). In addition, all states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.
