Master of Science Degree Students develop specific competence in the following areas of marriage and family therapy (MFT) lifespan human development, family dynamics, research, MFT ethics and legalities; systemic and interactional theories; and cultural competence related to the practice of individual, couple, family and group therapy. It includes direct experience conducting admission to treatment, clinical assessment and diagnosis, treatment planning, case management, and therapeutic intervention.

This bulletin provides only a brief overview of the program. A more detailed description can be found online at www.uwstout.edu/programs/msmft/index.cfm.

This program prepares people for work in clinical settings such as mental health agencies, in-home therapy, day treatment, behavioral health (hospitals), schools and/or private practice. The program has a balance of classroom and field experience. Field experience occurs in clinic settings with live supervision. This is one of the longest running programs in the nation to be fully accredited by the Committee on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE). It meets state educational requirements for licensing (especially Wisconsin and Minnesota) and prepares students for the AMFTRB (national) MFT exam required for license.

UW-Stout's Master of Science degree in Marriage and Family Therapy has a long-standing reputation for rigorous clinical training in counseling and therapy, and our graduates are outstanding. Our program has been continuously accredited for over forty years! We have proven methods of training successful, effective therapists. 

Unique features of our program include:

• A cohort model, where each class of 14 students moves through the program as a group.
• Our on-campus, state-of-the-art clinic, where students do half of their required 300 hours of clinical practice.
• Close supervision and one-on-one activities with faculty.
• A compressed Monday-Tuesday schedule for all on-campus classes.
• A learning context in which diversity and non-discrimination are addressed, practiced and valued. 
• A base of loyal and supportive alumni.

Primary Evaluation Processes

The primary processes used to evaluate progress in the program include assessment of academic course performance as well as performance in the clinical practicum. All evaluations are based on the clinical competencies (specified in the Introduction) expected of an MFT in training.  Grades are used to reflect a student’s level of competence.

Requirements

One-half (50%) of the minimum credits required for graduation from this program must be in graduate-level only (700/800) courses.

The requirements for this degree include: (a) completion of the 56-credit curriculum (specified below) with completion of at least 30 semester hours of graduate credit with an overall graduate grade point average of 3.0 or better; a minimum of 28 credits must be in courses open only to graduate students-700 level; and (b) approval for degree candidacy at the appropriate time.

Note: The Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy at UW-Stout program is designed to meet the requirements for licensure in the states of Wisconsin and Minnesota. If you reside outside of Wisconsin or Minnesota, please contact Dr. Heather Hessel, the Program Director for the Marriage and Family Therapy program, to confirm whether this program (or coursework) meets requirements for professional licensure in your state.

Program-Specific Admission Requirements

Eligibility

To be admitted with full status to the M.S. Marriage and Family Therapy program, you must:

• Hold an appropriate Bachelor's degree from an accredited college.
• Have earned an overall GPA of at least 2.75.

Program Application

To be considered for admission into this program you must complete the following:

• Program Application | Online | PDF | Word
• Recommendation Form | Online | PDF | Word
  • At least 3 recommendation letters are required, preferably from previous supervisors, mentors, employers, colleagues, or similarly qualified persons.

These may be completed online or mailed to the Program Director. 

Application Deadline

Applicants are strongly advised to complete the admissions process prior to January 15. Applications received after this deadline will be considered as space is available.

Tuition fee-2 years$38,000

Total fee-2 years$60,000