With the increasing recognition that relational and systemic interventions are effective in addressing a wide variety of individual, couple and family problems the need for licensed marriage and family therapists continues to expand. If you'd like to help families and individuals overcome some hurdles in their lives, consider pursuing a career in Marriage & Family Therapy.

Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs) are mental health professionals trained in psychotherapy and family systems, and licensed to diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders. Marriage and Family Therapists treat a wide range of serious clinical problems including: depression, marital problems, anxiety, individual psychological problems and child- parent problems. MFTs take a holistic perspective to health care; they are concerned with the overall long-term well-being of individuals and their families.

The Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy program at Saint Mary’s University is designed based on licensing laws enacted by the Minnesota State Legislature. In response to these requirements, Saint Mary’s prepares master’s-level students for licensure as Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT).

In addition to the Master of Arts in MFT, Saint Mary's University offers a Graduate Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in Marriage and Family Therapy. This certificate program is for students who already have earned a Master's degree in a related field, and who wish to obtain specialized advanced training in MFT which will qualify them for the LMFT license.

Both Marriage and Family Therapy graduate programs at Saint Mary's University are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE).  We are the only Marriage and Family Therapy Master's and post-Master's certificate program in the Twin Cities metro area to hold this accreditation.

Graduates of the Master of Arts and the Graduate Certificate programs in Marriage and Family Therapy program are expected to be able to:

1. Create and sustain professional relationships and communications with diverse clients, peers, and organizations.
    
2. Integrate and apply basic knowledge of marriage and family theory to clinical practice.
    
3. Integrate and apply knowledge of marriage and family therapy models to clinical practice.
    
4. Develop a systemic perspective to diagnose and treat mental health issues of individuals, couples, and families.
    
5. Evaluate professional practice issues and act in an ethical manner based on the marriage and family therapy codes of ethics, legal requirements, sound judgment and professional compassion.
    
6. Analyze and apply to practice the fundamentals of research in couple and family therapy.
    
7. Demonstrate and apply written, verbal and nonverbal communication skills with clients and professionals.
    
8. Create and implement effective interventions that promote, restore, sustain, or enhance positive functioning and a sense of well being in clients through preventative, developmental, systemic and/or remedial services.
    
9. Advocate with professional, work, and political communities and systems for respectful human relationships and policies directed toward the common good.
    
10. Articulate plans for future professional development.