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Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy

Students must pick between two available tracks:

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Are you searching for a graduate-level marriage and family therapist degree program in Indiana, consider Indiana Wesleyan University’s accredited 60 credit hour master’s in marriage and family therapy. Our MFT program’s interpersonal focus and holistic approach emphasize family systems within each student's Christian worldview context. Evidence-based approaches in the field are given high priority in the curriculum. Students learn to engage with classic systemic models as well as more contemporary and postmodern approaches, benefit from our strongly interpersonal structure, and enjoy close interaction with faculty members. Those within the Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy become an intimate community that provides a source of shared faith, knowledge, and friendship.

Why Pursue My Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy Online at IWU?

Students are exposed to regular video recording and monitoring of their own and classmates' therapy sessions, supervision with video recordings, live supervision, and numerous research opportunities. Master’s in marriage and family therapy students are also exposed to a variety of learning environments through the classroom, practicum experience, and internship placements. 

We anticipate that our graduates will become leaders and public servants who thoughtfully address contemporary challenges such as troubled marriages, child concerns, single parenting, divorce, and reconstituted families, with cultural competence and professional integrity. Our Christian faculty teach from the same biblical worldview valued on our campus, so that students can implement these principles in a fulfilling career. Students enrolled in MFT programs are trained to work with individual clients in a manner that is consistent with their own budding philosophy of marriage and family therapy. Emphasis is placed on each student grappling with their own understanding of why therapy is successful, i.e., what is one's own theory of change within the therapeutic context?

The Marriage and Family Therapy programs at Indiana Wesleyan University are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE), coa@aamft.org.

What Will I Learn in a Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy Program?

The program’s mission is to train entry-level professionals whose clinical skills are informed by diverse theoretical traditions, ethical integrity, and sensitivity to diverse populations of individuals, couples, and families. The master’s in marriage and family therapy program will prepare students to engage in the professional practice of individual, couple, and family therapy. Students will develop the necessary skills and practices to demonstrate knowledge of theories and treatment of individuals, couples, and families from a systemic, multicultural perspective.

Under the supervision of AAMFT approved supervisors or supervisor candidates in an environment where they can be challenged and grow into strong, ethical clinicians. The MFT program’s Christian focus will prepare students to integrate faith with individual, couple, and family therapy in a clinically appropriate manner and with professional integrity.


*Effective July 1, 2023. Master of Arts with a major in Marriage and Family Counseling/Therapy students at Indiana Wesleyan University must complete a minimum of 300 direct clinical hours total. One hundred of these hours must be relational (e.g. couples, family) under the supervision of AAMFT approved supervisors, supervisor candidates or supervisor equivalent. The program curriculum is designed to meet the academic requirements for licensure as a marriage and family therapist in the state of Indiana. Individuals seeking licensure outside of the state of Indiana are encouraged to speak directly with an MFC/T faculty who can help them navigate the process. Students from states requiring more than 300 direct clinical contact hours are encouraged to apply.

For more information on different states licensure requirements and contact information, please visit AAMFT.

Graduate Counseling at IWU

Your Master of Arts in Graduate Counseling may be closer than you think! Learn more about the Graduate Counseling programs at Indiana Wesleyan, and the incredible faculty team dedicated to making helping you take the next steps in your counseling career!

What Makes IWU Different?

Education Pioneer

IWU has provided on-campus education for more than 100 years.

Rooted in Christ

Faith-integrated curriculum and a commitment to changing the world.

Superior Support

Center for Student Success for counseling, tutoring, and more!

Distinguished Faculty

Dr. Robert Atchison Headshot

Dr. Robert Atchison

Associate Professor; Chair, Division of Graduate Counseling

Professor Atchison is a graduate of the Indiana Wesleyan University Graduate Counseling program. He began his track as a youth minister but transitioned into the world of counseling as part of his Calling.

Meet Dr. Atchison

Tuition & Aid

60 Credit Hours

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$602/ Credit Hour

Financial aid is available in the form of grants, loans, scholarships, veterans’ benefits, and employer reimbursement.

Financial Aid Tuition & Fees Info

Applicable fees for resources and services will be assessed throughout the program. Tuition and fees for prerequisites and required elective courses are in addition to the charges shown on the program cost sheet. Your tuition rate will remain the same as long as you remain continuously enrolled in the same program. The estimated cost of attendance is available on the financial aid webpage. Cost sheets may be requested from an enrollment counselor by calling 866.498.4968 or emailing iwuenroll@indwes.edu.
What You'll Study

These courses contain the program-specific knowledge. Upon completion, you should have the tools to conquer your new career with confidence.

  • CNS-501 | Human Growth & Development | 3 Hours
  • CNS-502 | Multicultural Counseling | 3 Hours
  • CNS-503 | Theory and Techniques in the Helping Relationship | 3 Hours
  • CNS-504 | Theory and Techniques in Group Counseling | 3 Hours
  • CNS-505 | Theory and Techniques in Career Counseling | 3 Hours
  • CNS-506 | Appraisal of Individuals and Families | 3 Hours
  • CNS-507 | Research and Evaluation of Methods and Practice | 3 Hours
  • CNS-508 | Legal, Ethical and Professional Issues | 3 Hours
  • CNS-509 | Integration of Christian Faith in Professional Counseling | 3 Hours
  • CNS-520 | Sexuality, Intimacy and Gender | 3 Hours
  • CNS-533 | Psychopathology | 3 Hours
  • CNS-541 | Foundations of Marriage and Family Therapy | 3 Hours
  • CNS-542 | Major Models of MFT I: Theory Assessment, and Application | 3 Hours
  • CNS-543 | Major Models of MFT II: Theory, Assessment, and Application | 3 Hours
  • CNS-546 | Major Models of MFT III: Theory, Assessment, and Application | 3 Hours
  • CNS-550 | Supervised Practicum | 3 Hours
  • CNS-551 | Supervised Internship | 3 Hours
  • CNS-552 | Supervised Internship | 3 Hours
  • CNS-554 | Advanced Internship | 3 Hours

View Courses

...
After Graduation
Potential Careers

  • Marriage and Family Therapist
  • Pastoral Counselor
  • Group Counselor


Work in Various Industries

  • Industry

Program Requirements
  • A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university, or an institution accredited by the Association for Biblical Higher Education. 
  • An undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale from the baccalaureate degree-granting institution at which at least 30 hours was completed. 
  • Six semester hours in undergraduate psychology of which three semester hours must be in Abnormal Psychology. 
  • Six semester hours in Bible (Old and New Testament) or passage of the Bible exam administered by the Division of Counseling. Students who lack prerequisite undergraduate coursework may be admitted on a conditional basis. All prerequisites must be completed within the first twelve hours of coursework. 
  • The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is required for those applicants with undergraduate cumulative GPAs of less than 3.25. The test must have been taken within five years of application to the program. A typewritten autobiography, philosophy of counseling, and supplemental application. Verbal (V) score of at least 146/400 (new/old scoring) is required. Successful graduate coursework may be substituted for the GRE. 
  • An official transcript from each undergraduate and graduate institution attended. 
  • A criminal background check. 
  • Three recommendations – at least one from a professor and one from a supervisor/professional. 
  • Applicants whose application documents demonstrate potential for success in the Graduate Program in Counseling will be invited to participate in a personal interview. All students are required to complete the CNS 500 New Student Orientation course online when they are admitted into the program. 

NOTE: The graduate admissions committee retains the right to waive an admission requirement for special circumstances. Successful graduate coursework may be substituted for the GRE.

Transfer of Credits in Graduate Counseling

Up to 35% of a program's required credit hours may be transferred from an accredited institution into a graduate-level counseling program at Indiana Wesleyan University.

  1. Successful completion of the required core curriculum, specialization courses, and electives with a minimum grade of "C" in each course and a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0.
  2. All degree requirements must be completed within six years of enrollment.
  3. Payment of all tuition and fees.

SPECIAL NOTE

  1. State regulations may prohibit licensure for individuals who have ever been convicted of a crime of violence or of any crime that has a direct bearing on the ability to practice competently.
  2. The applicant is responsible to check the licensing requirements with his or her state licensing agency prior to beginning the program.
  3. International students must know the laws and regulations where they reside for potential practicum and internship placement as well as for licensing after graduation.
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Accreditation

Indiana Wesleyan University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC), www.hlcommission.org, 312-263-0456. Other accreditations and associations of Indiana Wesleyan University are available at www.indwes.edu/about/iwu-profile/accreditation.

The Marriage and Family Counseling/Therapy program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy (COAMFTE). 

Information on our Graduate Achievement Data >

Resources and Assessment Reports >

COAMFTE Website

Take the Next Step

Discover the way forward in your personal and professional life. Earn your marriage and family therapist degree online at IWU!


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