Bethel Seminary St. Paul
The Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy
The Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy program is designed from the perspective of family systems for persons who would like to work with couples and families as a licensed marriage and family therapist in a variety of settings, including working as a member of a church staff as a marriage and family specialist. This degree program prepares students for doctoral studies in marriage and family if they wish to continue their education.
Quarterly formation covenants throughout the program, satisfactory completion of the practicum readiness process, a 375-hour, nine-month practicum during the second or third academic year, and completion of a senior statement of faith and integrative project are necessary for completion of the program. In addition to maintaining a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher (C average), M.A.M.F.T. students are required to hold a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher (B average) in their required MF courses to graduate with an M.A.M.F.T. degree from Bethel.
The seminary confers a Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy degree upon students who complete the prescribed sequence of courses and the senior requirements. However, graduation is not automatic when academic requirements have been met. Since the seminary aims to graduate men and women who qualify as Christian leaders, the faculty and administration will evaluate a student’s qualifications in terms of spiritual, doctrinal, and professional standards as well as academic standards. Program standards and policies are further described in the MFT Student Handbook, which is binding for all students.
Marriage and family therapy courses meet during the day on Mondays, Tuesdays, or during one week intensives. Biblical, theological, and historical courses are taken as part of the present seminary offerings in the daytime or evening. This schedule gives both predictability and flexibility.
In addition to the regular seminary admission requirements, a student applying for this program will need: at least 18 semester hours in the social sciences (e.g., family studies, sociology, anthropology, early childhood studies, social work, psychology, etc.); one course in basic counseling skills; 100 hours of volunteer work and/or professional work experience with individuals, couples, and/or families; and an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0.
In addition to regular seminary application materials, applicants to this program will need: two references from supervisors of volunteer and/or professional work experience; a personal profile; and a 1,500-2,000 word paper discussing personal family experience. A group interview is also required of all qualified applicants. The application deadline is April 1.
Course work meets the academic requirements for licensure as a marriage and family therapist in most states, but additional supervised clinical practice and the taking of a licensing examination would typically be needed to obtain actual licensure.
A Master of Arts in Marital and Family Therapy is offered in San Diego. It incorporates distinctives necessary for California licensure.
Degree Requirements
Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy
Required Courses
| BT501 | Hermeneutics | 4 |
| HS501 |
Early Church to Reformation (may substitute HS502 or HS503) |
4 |
| NT501 | The Gospels | 4 |
| NT502 | Acts and Pauline Letters | 4 |
| OT501 | Genesis - Ruth | 4 |
| OT502 |
I Samuel - Song of Songs (may substitute OT503SP) |
4 |
| SP502 | Disciplines of Spiritual/Personal Formation | 1 |
| SP602 | Disciplines of Theological Reflection | 1 |
| TS501 | Systematic Theology I | 4 |
| TS502 | Systematic Theology II | 4 |
| TS503 | Systematic Theology III | 4 |
Concentration Courses and Electives
| MF501 | Foundations of MF Studies | 4 |
| MF502 | Ind. Development within the Family | 4 |
| MF503 | Theories of Marriage and Family Therapy | 4 |
| MF551 | Families in Context: Gender, Class, and Culture | 4 |
| MF552 | Challenges over the Life Cycle | 4 |
| MF553 | Marriage and Family Assessment | 4 |
| MF555 | Professional and Ethical Issues In MFT | 4 |
| MF561 | Dynamics of Family Interaction | 4 |
| MF562 | Individual and Family Psychopathology | 4 |
| MF563 | Advanced Clinical Issues | 4 |
| MF653 | Diagnosis and Treatment Planning | 3 |
| MF654 | Research Design and Evaluation in MFT | 3 |
| MF751 | Integration Sem.: Worldview, Ethics, Pract. | 4 |
Clinical Experience
Practicum Readiness Process (See Program Manager)
| MF701 | Clinical Experience I | 3 |
| MF702 | Clinical Experience II | 3 |
| MF703 | Clinical Experience III | 3 |
Other Requirements
| SP001 | Formation Assessments | 0 |
| Senior Statement of Faith/MFT Integrative Project | 0 |
A minimum of 96 quarter credits is required for graduation from an M.A. program. The student is responsible to meet all graduation deadlines and requirements.
The Bethel Seminary Catalog is provided online as a convenience for those who desire course information in electronic form. The printed version of the Bethel Seminary catalog is the official version, and it will be treated as the document of record in all seminary business.