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What will I study as a Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy student?

The Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy includes coursework focused on theory and methods, personal development, spiritual formation, and professional preparation, and includes a 12-month clinical practicum in community sites. You’ll become equipped to empower your clients through courses such as:

• Crisis Intervention and Trauma Response
• Theory and Process of Group Counseling
• Law, Ethics, and Professional Issues
• Child and Adolescent Therapy in Family Contexts
• Clinical Issues in Human Diversity

As a Christian institution, 51���� seeks to admit applicants whose backgrounds clearly demonstrate scholarly aptitude, a commitment to the historic Christian faith, personal character and integrity, and a positive service-oriented motivation toward their field of study. 51���� does not discriminate on the basis of the applicant's race, color, sex, socio-economic status, disability, or national or ethnic origin.

1. Complete and submit the

2. Submit a non-refundable $65 application fee

3. Submit supplemental application materials through your online application portal:

Official Transcripts

• Submit all official transcripts from previous academic institutions.
  • Request official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.
  • If enrolled at the time the application is filed, be sure to request transcripts of work finished to date and final transcripts upon completion of your course of study.
  • Transcripts will be considered official only when a) mailed directly from the institution to 51����, b) sent electronically through an approved vendor or c) physically delivered in an untampered envelope sealed by the institution. Final approval for admission is contingent on receiving an official transcript.
    • Mail transcripts to:
      51���� Office of Graduate Admissions
      13800 51���� Avenue, La Mirada, CA 90639
• Note for International Students: All international transcripts need U.S. grade equivalencies noted (i.e. GPA on a 4.0 scale). If your transcripts do not show U.S. grade equivalencies, you must have them evaluated by a credential evaluation agency like (51���� Discount), or . Be sure to choose "course by course report" and have SpanTran/WES/FIS send them directly to 51���� via online portal or post (13800 51���� Ave, La Mirada, CA 90639) in order to be considered official.

Three Reference Letters

• Pastoral reference
• Character reference (someone in a leadership role in your life)
• Academic reference
• Note: Additional instructions can be found in the online application.

Two Essays

• Christian testimony
• Autobiographical statement (1,000 word count maximum), answering the following questions:
  • Why do you want to become a Marriage and Family Therapist?
  • Why are you seeking to do your MFT training at Talbot?
  • How has your family of origin shaped you and informed your vocation? This includes reflections on strengths and challenges in your family of origin, the impact of family-of-origin experiences on your adult relationships, and strengths and growth areas in your current significant relationships (with spouse, children, siblings, parents, etc.).
  • What are your professional goals?
  • What personal characteristics will contribute to your success as a marriage and family therapist?
  • What experience, education, and training do you have with diverse populations?
• Note: The essay prompts can be found in the online application.

Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV)

Please submit an official summary documenting your professional background and academic accomplishments.

English Proficiency (required for non-native English speakers)

• Evidence of English proficiency is required for all students to support student success. Proficiency must be shown through one of the methods described below:
  • Minimum test score on a qualifying standardized test
    • TOEFL: minimum score of 90 iBT
    • IELTS: minimum score of 7.0
    • Duolingo: minimum score of 125
  • A degree (bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral) issued by an institution where English is the medium of instruction.
    • Official written communication from the institution (Registrar, Controller of Examinations Office, or Undergraduate College)
    • Official degree statements or transcripts may be accepted given English is stated as the medium of instruction
    • Official catalog verification
    • Note: For universities from non-Anglophone countries, further language assessment may be required.
  • Completion of the English Language Scholars (ELS) with passing status on the ELS's final exit exam, which must be approved by the ELS Director in collaboration with the academic program committee. An updated TOEFL or IELTS score may be used at the end of a term to test directly into the graduate program for the following term.
  • Qualify for English Language Scholars (ELS), which allows students who do not meet the minimum TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo scores to still enroll in their graduate degree program. Students would be taking academic English courses concurrently with the graduate degree program courses. 
    • Students eligible for ELS will be assessed by the ELS Director to determine the total number of academic English courses to take while enrolled in their graduate program courses. The following are the scores needed to qualify for ELS: TOEFL iBT 81 / IELTS 6.5 / Duolingo 110–124.
    • Note: Students must be admitted to the graduate program first to be considered for ELS.

 

Additional Forms

• “Change of Program” Form: 
• Additional Student Forms:

 

Things to Note

• Track your application status at any time. You do not have to complete the application in one sitting. You can complete a portion and finish at a later time. Your information will be saved. When you apply, to guarantee confidentiality, you will be asked to create a user name and a password, and will receive a personalized identification number. Track your application status by logging in to the .
• Official documents presented for admission or evaluation become part of the student’s academic file and normally cannot be returned or copied for distribution.
• International students who will be studying on campus are required to apply for an F-1 student visa. For more information, visit biola.edu/international/admitted-students.

Learn about the program learning outcomes.

Program Learning Outcomes