Please refer to the Program Requirements on this page for the most updated coursework. 

Students will be eligible to apply for general University scholarships, college scholarships and MFT scholarships. Scholarship requirements and amounts will vary. All students will apply for scholarships through Scholarship Universe. 

Students will need to complete application materials with the U of A Graduate College and the MFT program. All information can be found online at the Graduate College Admissions website and through the MFT Admissions Guide. Applications will require a resume/CV, personal statement, and three letters of recommendation.

Important dates: 

• Applications will open August 1, 2025, and close December 1, 2025, for the cohort beginning in fall 2026. Applications will only be reviewed after the deadline. 
• Faculty and staff will determine which students to select for an in-person interview. Invitations will be sent by email to the selected applicants in late January, and interviews will take place in February. 
• After interviews, applicants can expect admission decisions by March 15, 2026, and students will be expected to provide a decision by the end of April. 
   

Licensure for Marriage and Family Therapists  is regulated at the state level. The University of Arizona MFT program is currently seeking curriculum approval from Arizona’s licensing board, the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners. We plan to have this approval by the time the program begins in fall 2026.

In Arizona, there are two levels of licensure: Associate and Independent. After graduating, you can apply to take the exam, and upon passing, you receive an Associate License. You must then work for at least 24 months in an approved setting, gaining additional supervision and client contact hours. Upon completion, you can apply for full licensure to practice independently. For more information, visit the AZ Board of Behavioral Health Examiners website.

Note: For students interested in practicing outside of Arizona, you should review the state requirements for licensure in that state. The AAFMT’s state resources website has state-by-state licensure requirements. 

The UA MFT program also plans to seek National Accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT). It is important to note that National Accreditation takes 5 years to acquire once a program has started, so students admitted to the MFT program at this time will not have national accreditation associated with their degree.  Read more about the benefits of COAMFTE Accreditation. 
 
As the UA MFT program begins, the approval from the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners will ensure that our courses and practicum requirements will prepare graduates to successfully pass the state licensing exam and become licensed in Arizona as MFT’s. We are committed to providing a high standard of quality across our MFT program. 

To complete the practicum requirement, students will complete a total of 300 supervised direct client contact hours. This is required for the MFT program and for AZ state licensure. 

Students will typically begin their practicum in their second semester. The MFT program will identify and place students at practicum sites within the Tucson area. While hours of operation vary from site to site, students can expect to work a combination of daytime hours, evening hours, and, in some cases, on Saturdays. These hours are reflective of employed therapists’ typical work schedule. Children and families are often most available for therapy in the evenings.

Students are encouraged to be flexible with their schedule in order to complete the required client contact and supervision hours needed for associate licensure. 
 

What is the difference between a Masters in Marriage & Family Therapy and a Masters in Counseling? 

• Both a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy and a Masters in Counseling will prepare students to become licensed mental health professionals who can diagnosis and treat mental health disorders. 
• MFT is unique in that it prepares students to work with individuals, families, and couples while looking at their presenting issues through a systemic lens, focusing on the client’s relationships. The MFT degree specifically prepares students to work with clients across the lifespan, understanding issues that arise within childhood, adulthood, and into aging.  
• A Masters in Counseling degree may include coursework focused on families and relationships, but generally focuses on the broader scope of mental health counseling and intervention, focusing less on family systems and relationships and more on treating the individual. 
• To decide which degree and license you want to work toward, we recommend the following:
  • Research national organizations of the profession you are considering. For MFT, visit the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy website. For Counseling visit the American Counseling Association website. This will help you explore which professional home you find to be the best fit.
  • Interview professionals who hold a variety of licenses.
  • Look at the state licensing board websites for the license and state(s) in which you are interested.

What are the admissions requirements?

• The GRE is not required for admission.
• Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Earned bachelor’s or master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
• Recommended, but not required: Completion of academic coursework in areas such as family science, human development, psychology, sociology, counseling/therapy skills, and multicultural groups. 
• Recommended, but not required: Completion of internship/work/volunteer experience in human services, mental health, family support or another related realm.
• Refer to the Office of Graduate Admissions for more information.

Can I attend this program part time?

This program admits students based on a cohort model, meaning all students complete the same classes each semester over the course of two years. Therefore, the MFT program does not allow students to enroll part time. 

Can I attend this program online?

No, the MFT program is only available in person at the University of Arizona main campus in Tucson. Students will need to be local in Tucson every semester, including the summer.

Can I work while completing this program?

This is a full-time program that requires 300 clinical hours in addition to coursework. Courses will meet on weekdays and during daytime hours. Practicum sites often see clients during the evenings and weekends to accommodate children and families’ schedules. It is recommended that MFT students work no more than 10 hours per week through graduate assistantships or outside employment. 

When will classes be offered?

Courses will meet on weekdays and during daytime hours. 

How long does it take to complete the program?

The MFT program requires students to be full time and will take students 2 years to complete, including one summer session. During the summer session, students will be expected to be in Tucson, taking in-person courses and completing hours at their practicum site. 

Does this program require a thesis?

The MFT program does not require a thesis, but students will complete a final capstone presentation based on clinical casework, which will be evaluated by MFT faculty.

How many students will be admitted per cohort?

The program plans to admit up to 25 students into a new cohort every fall semester.

How much does the program cost?

Please use the tuition calculator through the U of A Bursar’s Office to see the current cost of tuition. 

Do you accept students for the spring semester?

No, students will only be admitted for the fall semester.