Post-Graduate Degree in Marriage & Family Therapy

Location offered:  Springfield, MO

Requirements for the Post-Graduate Marriage and Family Therapy Certificate Program

Before completion and submission of the application, please read the following requirements thoroughly. Contact the Forest Admissions Office at 800-424-7793 or email admissions@forest.edu if you have questions.

Specific requirements for the admission into the MFT certificate program include:

• A master's degree in a related field from a regionally accredited institution with a 3.0 grade point average (GPA) or better on a 4.0 scale during the last 60 hours of undergraduate work. Applicants without the required GPA are considered on a highly selective basis and are invited to address this issue in their personal statement.

Admission to the MFT program is limited. Due to supervisory and client contact limitations, not every student who applies to the program will be admitted, even if they meet minimal qualifications.

Students who will not complete their master's degree until the fall term will be given provisional acceptance to the program until they have received their degree. Students may not begin counting client contact or supervision hours until they have completed their master's degree coursework.

The application packet consists of a completed application form and a non-refundable application fee of $50, in addition to the following:

1. Three Professional Recommendations
   College professors, supervisors, or others who have known the candidate for one year or longer and who have evaluated the candidate's personal, professional, and academic qualifications should be contacted to complete the Professional Recommendation Form. At least three professional recommendations are required. The references must comment specifically on your ability to undertake a course of study in marriage and family therapy, as well as your ability to provide marriage and family therapy if suitably educated and trained.
2. Personal Essay
   Through the personal essay much is learned about the candidate, including his/her interests, goals, character and if he/she is a good fit for the programs at Forest. Personal essays should range from five to eight pages in length using 1" margins, double spacing, and preferably Times New Roman 12 pt. font. Essays should be tailored to the program or cluster for which admission is sought. Ex. Prospective MFT students should discuss the MFT focus in their essay. Essays must specifically address the following:
   • What personal knowledge, skills, attitudes, qualities, and life experiences do you possess that would make you a good Marriage and Family Therapist? Elaborate on which of these you will bring to your training at Forest Institute. Which do you hope to develop during your training at Forest Institute?
   • Discuss why you believe that you are "fitted for a future in being of service to the diverse human community" as a Marriage and Family Therapist.
   • Please tell us any additional information that you believe the Admissions Committee should know to assist in making their decision regarding your application.
3. Current Resume/Vitae
   List other activities since high school, including military service, that are relevant to professional goals.
4. Official Transcripts
   Official transcript of all graduate and undergraduate work are required, including part-time and summer sessions, and should be mailed directly from all institutions attended since secondary school. If college credits were earned while in secondary school, an official transcript is required of the college/university from which those credits were received.
5. TOEFL
   International applicants, who do not hold a United States undergraduate degree and whose native language is not English, are required to submit their TOEFL scores. Forest 's code number for forwarding TOEFL results is 8525.
   

Applications for admission are available from the Office of Admissions and on-line, and should be submitted either in person, by mail, by fax or electronically through the web site. Because those accepted into the program will render services to the public, Forest routinely performs a personal background check on all incoming students, following written consent.

Looking to earn your Master of Arts in Marriage & Family Therapy? Learn more about admission requirements for the MAMFT Program or how to apply online.