Advanced knowledge of family systems — no clinical licensure required.
The MFT Studies Track at Touro University Worldwide provides a strong academic foundation in marriage and family therapy theories, relational dynamics, and human development without the clinical practicum or licensure requirements. This track is ideal for professionals who want to apply systemic and behavioral insights in non-clinical settings.
Program Overview
The MFT Studies Track is designed for students who want graduate-level expertise in family systems and behavioral science but do not intend to pursue clinical licensure. While students complete core academic MFT coursework, this track excludes practicum experiences and supervised clinical hours.
Note: The MFT Studies Track does not lead to licensure, and it is not COAMFTE Accredited or CA Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) Approved
It is well-suited for careers in education, administration, program development, policy, research, and human services leadership.
Why Choose Touro University Worldwide
- Flexible, Online Graduate Education
Designed for professionals balancing work, family, and academic goals. - Strong Theoretical Foundation
Gain advanced understanding of family systems, ethics, and human behavior. - No Clinical Placement Requirement
Ideal for students who do not want or need supervised therapy practice. - Mission-Driven and Values-Based
TUW emphasizes ethical leadership, service, and real-world application of knowledge. - Pathway to Further Study
Provides a solid foundation for doctoral programs or interdisciplinary graduate work.
Program Structure
- Total Credits: 54 semester credits
- Includes: Core academic MFT coursework
- Practicum Requirement: None
- Licensure Eligibility: Not designed for clinical licensure
- Accreditation: Not COAMFTE-accredited
What Can You Do With the MFT Studies Track?
Graduates may pursue non-licensed roles such as:
- Human Services Program Manager or Coordinator
- Family Life Educator
- Community Outreach or Advocacy Specialist
- Behavioral Health Administrator
- Policy or Research Analyst
- Organizational or Wellness Consultant
- Support Services Manager in nonprofit or public agencies
This track equips graduates to apply systemic thinking and behavioral insight across organizations that serve individuals, families, and communities.
Who This Track Is Best For
- Students not seeking clinical licensure, professional therapy or counseling licensure
- Professionals working in administration, education, policy, or human services
- Individuals seeking advanced academic training in family systems
- Those planning to pursue doctoral study or leadership roles
Frequently Asked Questions – MFT Studies Track
Alumni
Proud 2023 TUW MFT Alumna Brittney Kirkland shares her academic experience with the clinical Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy degree.
MFT Studies Track (Not COAMFTE Accredited, Not CA BBS Approved)
54 Semester Credits
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Systems Approach to family therapy is designed to provide an overview of the fundamentals of family and marital therapy. The course will be taught within a therapeutic perspective so that the material will be tied to the actual practice of therapy. Wherever possible, examples, case studies and vignettes will be employed in order to amplify the family systems approach to therapy.
In addition, the course explores theories and skills required in contemporary community mental health settings, including recovery-oriented treatment for severe mental illness, disaster and trauma response, services for victims of abuse and the homeless, foster care, case management, client advocacy, in-home and in-school services, bilingual client services, collaborating with other professionals, medical family therapy, and local community service resources. The course also provides a practical overview of public and private systems of care and opportunities to meet with the severely mentally ill and their families.
CREDITS
3
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course reviews the broad spectrum of psychological disorders and the proper method of diagnosing the disorders using the DSM-5 criteria. The focus of this review will include the etiology, prevalence & incidence, signs & symptoms, and criteria for differential diagnosis affecting children, adolescents, and adults. Suicide Assessment, Treatment and Management are also covered.
CREDITS
3
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course will examine the theory, practice and utilization of effective therapeutic interventions with couple relationships. The course will involve videos, case studies, online discussions, and written assignments to further our learning on couples counseling.
CREDITS
3
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course will prepare students to work with the special counseling needs of children and adolescents. Behavioral characteristics of children and adolescents including their emotional, social, and cognitive behaviors will be covered and applied with practical cases. Counseling techniques and treatment options will be learned.
CREDITS
3
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course will highlight developmental psychology throughout the lifespan, from birth through death. Current psychological and medical knowledge of child, adolescent, and adult development will be explored along with the impact of the developmental process on the individual and the family.
CREDITS
3
COURSE DESCRIPTION
The goal of this course is to provide a brief comprehensive overview of clinical psychopharmacology for non-medical providers. This course will acquaint students with the fundamentals of psychotropic drugs. Basics of pharmacology, indications, drug interactions and adverse side effects of commonly used psychotropic medications.
CREDITS
3
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course is designed to provide an introduction to some of the cultural, socioeconomic, and ethnic variables that influence the counseling relationship and process within California and nationally. Factors such as race/ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, religious & spiritual values, mental and physical characteristics, education, family values, and socioeconomic status, are examined. We will focus on therapy issues related to various populations, and learn effective treatment approaches to use that will be most appropriate. The process of becoming an effective multicultural therapist in terms of becoming more aware of the values and customs of persons from other racial/ethnic groups will be included. Therapist cultural self-awareness and the role of counseling in eliminating biases, prejudice, oppression, and discrimination are emphasized.
CREDITS
3
COURSE DESCRIPTION
The course serves as an introduction to graduate level research in the social sciences with a specific emphasis on psychology. Research methods and statistics will be integrated to provide a general overview of the ways that social scientists collect information. The research process will be examined including concepts of design, conduct and evaluation. Principles and characteristics of approaches and methodologies relevant to research in the field will be fully explored. Examples of data sources and methods of statistical description and analysis will be covered with special emphasis on developing ethical, trustworthy and useful information. The course also will provide a foundation for locating and evaluating scientific, technical, business and government qualitative and quantitative information.
CREDITS
3
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course is designed to provide an overview of Large Therapy Systems. Emphasis will be on obtaining the conceptual knowledge and skills relative to conducting effective group treatment for a variety of client populations.
CREDITS
3
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course focuses on the understanding and use of testing results for the marriage and family therapist.
CREDITS
3
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course provides an overview of the biological, sociological and psychological basis of human sexual functioning. Sexuality is a core element of human functioning and a key element in understanding intimate relationships. An evidenced-based approach will be used to explore topics including sexual development and function throughout the lifespan, normative and atypical sexual functioning, as well as other sexual factors relevant to the practice of marriage and family therapy. Some specific topics will include sexual arousal and response, masturbation, sexually transmitted diseases, contraception, and sexual anatomy. Theories of sexual attraction from both sociological and evolutionary points of view will also be presented. A clinical model of intimacy will be presented, as well practical information for use in couple’s therapy.
CREDITS
3
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course focuses on the assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of substance use disorders, co-occurring disorders, and other forms of addiction. In this course, students will learn about the different causes of addiction, understanding addiction as both a disease and a behavioral phenomenon. Topics include the definitions of addiction, ethnocultural influences in addiction, effects of drug use, evidence-based treatment models and referral processes, legal aspects of substance abuse, community resources, and family/group support. Other important aspects of substance use and addiction will also be discussed, including, case management, public and private systems of care for substance use, advocacy, and collaborative treatment approaches. The emerging literature on non-substance addictive behaviors (pathological gambling, sexual addictions) will also be discussed.
CREDITS
3
COURSE DESCRIPTION
The processes of communication as these apply to both interpersonal and intrapersonal experience. Emphasis on the purposes of communication as well as the forms that are believed to enhance the conduct of counseling and psychotherapy.
CREDITS
3
COURSE DESCRIPTION
The course will discuss family-focused treatment targeting high-risk youth. Issues such as drug use, youth criminal activity and drop-out prevention will be the main topics.
CREDITS
3
COURSE DESCRIPTION
The course will primarily focus on issues that are salient to the aging population, including long-term care. Students will learn skills to help families in all stages of life deal with chronic or ongoing health concerns as well. There will be a strategic training to develop necessary understanding of the challenges of the later stages of life. Students will be required to conduct an in depth interview of one family situation where such issues discussed in the course material are present.
CREDITS
3
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course has been designed to foster a grounded and well-informed understanding of ethical and legal issues as they relate to the mental health professionals in general and MFT professionals in California and nationally. In the course, students will become aware of familial relationships, and defining of legal consequences to those relationships and their dissolution, and the transition of individuals into new family formations. Marriage and its legal effects, divorce, the law of the parent-child relationship, including post-separation parenting and child support, and the recognition of non-marital relationships. Other legal matters such as family law include domestic violence, adoption, and child protection, child abuse reporting is included. Commonly experienced ethical and legal matters within the practice of MFT will be examined through discussion, assigned readings, written work and practical exercises.
CREDITS
3
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Studies in the treatment of trauma as it impact the family. Beginning and advanced techniques in assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of child and elder abuse, domestic violence, rape, disaster, crime and other trauma will be explored.
CREDITS
3
COURSE DESCRIPTION
The Capstone course is the culmination of the MFT degree program for both MFT and LPCC tracks and is taken last within the program. In this course, the student will participate in threaded discussions; complete a case assignment and signature assignment, while focused on MFT proficiency in licensure preparation and clinical work. Students have an opportunity to practice taking licensure exams based on their particular state of practice, and discuss their theoretical orientation when approaching work with individuals, couples, and families. The Capstone will be reviewed by the primary faculty at the conclusion of coursework and may serve as a tool for further research and/or practice. The Capstone course is also used to assess the student achievement of all MFT Program Learning Outcomes.
CREDITS
3
Class Type
100% online, 8-week courses*
Transfer Credits
Transfer in up to 12 credits
Accreditation
WSCUC
Request Information
Tuition Information
Effective Fall 2024 Tuition is assessed as the following:
Touro University Worldwide is practicing locked-in tuition, which means your tuition will not change for the remainder of your program, as long as you are actively matriculating.
For the Marriage and Family Therapy graduate program with MFT Studies Track, Touro University Worldwide’s tuition is $525 per semester credit. Each eight (8) week, three (3) credit course costs $1,575. Learn more about TUW tuition and fees.
| Track | 1 credit | 3 credits | Cost of Program |
| MFT Studies Track | $525 | $1,575 | $28,350* |
Application Fee: Students applying to the Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) degree program pay a one time $25 application fee.
Students interested in the Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy program must meet one of the following criteria to be considered for admission:
- Have earned a Baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution with a minimum overall GPA of 2.5.
- Transfer student from another college/university’s graduate program in good academic standing (minimum GPA of 2.75).
Students, who meet one of the above criteria, will be required to complete the following steps in order to be admitted and enrolled:
- Submit an application.
- Submit official transcripts from all institutions attended. Transcripts must come directly from the issuing institutions. Students who completed college coursework outside the United States must have their transcripts translated and evaluated. (See Foreign Credit for additional information.) Students are required to complete step 3 by the end of their first term of enrollment.
- Sign and Acknowledge the MFT Student Agreement & Notice to Students before Enrollment Regarding State Requirement for Licensure.
- Submit an essay in no more than 500 words addressing the desire to work in the Marriage and Family Therapy profession including the following:
- Reason for selecting the TUW Masters in MFT Program
- How a masters level education in the field of MFT fits with the career plan and goals
- How the MFT program in conjunction with applicant’s background and interests furthers the career plan and goals.
Touro University Worldwide is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). For more information on WSCUC, visit www.wscuc.org or write WSCUC at 985 Atlantic Ave., Suite 100, Alameda, CA 94501.
Make a Difference With TUW’s Online MFT Master’s Degree
Touro University Worldwide’s online Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy degree program builds the knowledge and competencies to become a family-centered therapist. Request information to learn more about our accredited and affordable online MFT master’s degree.