Master's in Marriage and Family Therapy

• The program admits students to begin classes in either the summer or fall. The number of students admitted each year is limited. Admission decisions are based on the applicant’s ability to meet the expectations for academic performance outlined in the Program Handbook. Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not ensure admission to the program. 
• Applicants must have completed an undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution and maintained an overall grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.00 scale. 
• Applicants may be considered for conditional admission status with an overall grade point average between 2.75 and 3.0 on a 4.00 scale. 
• Applicants must demonstrate the language proficiency necessary for successful graduate coursework.
• Applicants may need to complete an interview with a program administrator as part of the admission process.

Students with transcripts from universities located outside of the United States, unless from a waiver country listed here, are required to take and pass English Proficiency testing.

Saint Mary’s accepts:

• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a minimum score of 72
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with a minimum score of 6.0
• Michigan Language Assessment Battery (MELAB) with a minimum score of 74%
• International Test of English Proficiency (ITEP) with a minimum score of 4.0 or Pearson Test of English with a score of 51
• Duolingo with a minimum score of 100.

Your application must include the following items:

1. A completed application form
2. An official transcript(s) issued to Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota from the institution posting the applicant’s completed bachelor’s degree and other relevant transcripts documenting program prerequisites and potential transfer credits. (An official transcript is one that is sent to the university by the credit-granting institution.)
   • Transcripts from countries other than the U.S. must be evaluated on a course by course basis by a university accepted evaluation service, such as World Education Services, Educational Credential Evaluators, Educational Perspectives, One Earth International Credential Evaluators or any approved member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES.org) and be deemed equivalent to accredited U.S. university standards.
   • Saint Mary’s can order and cover the cost of transcripts from institutions that allow third-party requests for eligible degree-seeking applicants. Contact your enrollment counselor for more information.
   • Official Transcripts should be sent to Office of Admission
     • Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
       2500 Park Avenue
       Minneapolis, MN 55404
     • Or electronically: tcadmission@smumn.edu
3. A personal statement which includes:
   • A brief description of the applicant’s background, training, and experience and,
   • A statement indicating the career goals of the applicant and his or her reasons for seeking admission to the program and,
   • A description of the areas the applicant considers to be his or her strengths and areas in which the applicant wishes to develop greater strengths and abilities and,
   • Any personal information the applicant wishes to share.
4. Letter(s) of recommendation that verify professional and/or volunteer experience and academic ability and,
5. A current résumé listing educational background and work experience

Please Note: We do not require that applicants take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Miller Analogy Test (MAT). Research suggests that these examinations are not the best predictors of graduate student success or success after graduate school.

Summer/Fall 2025: December 15, 2024

All applications are reviewed following the application deadline. Accepted applicants will be notified by March 31

At Saint Mary’s, we want you to succeed, and we help you do so, inside and outside of the classroom:

Student Central: Your one stop for student services

Library: Resources and services are available 24/7 to all students.

Writing Center: Offers virtual and face-to-face services to support students

Career Services: Can help you develop your career-readiness skills at any point in your education

Yes, please view our financial aid and scholarships page here.

It is possible to switch, but it often requires taking time off in order to avoid retaking courses. Applicants are encouraged to be thoughtful about which cohort will best suit their needs.

Non-degree seeking students are eligible to enroll in elective courses only, as courses required for the degree are reserved for degree-seeking students in cohorts. Contact one of our enrollment counselors to learn more!