How to Apply
- Start with the SCSU School of Graduate and Professional Studies application
- Then submit the following:
- transcripts from all university/college coursework
- MFT Essay
- two references (SCSU will email a web-based form/link to each reviewer an applicant designates)
- current résumé or curriculum vitae
- international student supporting materials (if required)
GRE test scores are not required. All application materials may be submitted through the School of Graduate and Professional Studies. Documents that must be official, including university transcripts, are mailed from the granting institution directly to the address above.
MFT Essay
Training to become a marriage and family therapist involves both a professional and personal developmental process. In fact, many MFT candidates are drawn to the field after having received psychotherapy. The experience of being a client may help candidates better understand the profession’s responsibilities, rewards, and challenges. It can also help candidates become familiar with the process of therapy ‘from the other side’ of the therapeutic relationship. If you have received therapy yourself, please write how that process informs your decision-making and choice of profession. If you have not received professional therapeutic services, discuss what you think has prevented you from seeking such supports and mentorship, and what has drawn you to pursue the MFT profession without that experience. (500 words maximum)
Requirements
Qualified candidates have completed an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university. The university requires an undergraduate quality point ratio (QPR) of 3.0 as a standard of acceptance, however a limited number of students with an undergraduate GPA between 2.5 and 2.99 may be accepted conditionally. (Conditionally accepted students are admitted under the condition that they achieve an overall 3.5 GPA in next 12 credits in the MFT program. If this condition is not met, they are dismissed from the MFT program by the graduate office)
Application Status
Applicants will receive a letter from the Graduate Office acknowledging receipt of a completed application. If you did not receive this email, then your application is not complete. You can check the status of your application by signing in to the Graduate Admissions portal. To provide the most comprehensive review to the most number of qualified candidates, the MFT program prioritizes new applications. If you previously applied for and were denied admission to the MFT program, your application and invitation for a group interview will not be considered until all new applications have been received, reviewed, and acted upon.
Interviews
Completed application files are reviewed by the MFT Admissions Committee. Qualified applicants are invited to attend a group interview. Group interviews are scheduled Wednesdays 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. We generally provide 2 weeks to 1 month notice ahead of scheduling interviews.
About the Group Interview
Up to six interview slots are offered to the most qualified applicants based on admissions criteria. The interview is designed to introduce prospective students to the systemic and experiential training style and methods of the program and to assess goodness of fit. Come prepared to be present and actively participate.
Timeline and Statement About Rolling Admissions
The MFT program uses a rolling admissions policy. Beginning in the fall semester of each year the faculty begins to evaluate and select students for entry into the program. Once we have successfully enrolled the desired number of students we suspend admissions. Please note: we continue to accept new applications after this time but do not review them unless we have a new opening. Please do not assume your application is complete. Often students mistakenly believe that their application is complete when it is not. We recommend that you contact the admissions coordinator to verify a complete application.
Background Check
Marriage and Family Therapy is a licensed profession in all 50 of the United States. Becoming licensed is contingent upon a candidate’s professional, legal, and character fitness. To ensure the safety of clients, all states ask questions about the criminal background information of the therapist during the licensure process. Therefore, before applying as a candidate for the MFT program, it is the responsibility of applicants to assess they do not have a criminal background that could preclude licensure. Though the MFT program may not require a criminal background check, it is the sole responsibility of the applicant to have their criminal background check completed and decide if it is appropriate to apply at Southern Connecticut State University’s MFT program.
Taking Courses Before Matriculation
With program permission, students with an undergraduate degree may register for up to 9 credits before accepted into the MFT program on a space-available basis, including: MFT 598, 587 & 672. Successful course completion is no guarantee of acceptance into the MFT program.
Additional Information
Questions? Attend an upcoming graduate open house to meet us and learn more in person, or email MFT admissions assistant Lidiane Fernandes.