Marriage, Couple & Family Therapy
Family therapy is a distinct profession with its own history, theories, models, professional organizations and journals. Family therapists are generalists in that we typically treat a wide variety of psychological, emotional, and relational problems. We share the premise that human behavior occurs within family, social, and cultural contexts. We work with individuals, couples, families, and community groups.
Seeking Our Next MCFT Cohort!
The Marriage, Couple, & Family Therapy program is looking for a group of students committed to social equity in the practice of family therapy. We value bringing together therapists-in-training who have a wide variety of experiences in order to learn from each other. We are looking for a rich mix of students who are open to exploring the impact of their own societal context on their future work. We invite applicants from all social classes, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, nations of origin, ages, religions, and abilities to apply.
Students in the Marriage, Couple, and Family Therapy program draw on knowledge from many different disciplines and experiences. Though most applicants hold degrees in psychology, family and human development, or related fields, applicants with other backgrounds will be considered. Applicants who do not have at least 12 semester units of prior coursework related to human behavior may be required to add additional courses to their program of study.
Why MCFT at Lewis & Clark?
Watch the video below to hear why from three current students.
Accreditation
The Marriage, Couple, and Family Therapy Program at Lewis & Clark College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT), 112 S. Alfred Street, Alexandria, VA 22314, (703) 838-9808. As part of the accreditation process, the program regularly reviews program outcomes and student achievement.
Prepared for LMFT Licensure
Graduates of the MCFT program meet the educational requirements to become a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) through the Oregon Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists. This license requires a written exam and a minimum of two years of full-time supervised experience after a degree is earned. Full state licensure requirements may be found on OBLPCT’s website: http://www.oregon.gov/OBLPCT
Completion of the MCFT program also makes students eligible to apply for appropriate licenses in other states in the United States. Please visit the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (www.aamft.org) for a list of licensing requirements by state.
Graduation and Completion Data
Each year approximately 35 students begin the 3-year, full time program. The table below shows what percentage of these students graduate and attain MFT licensure.
| MCFT Program Student Achievement Data | ||||||
| Date of Initial COAMFTE Accreditation: 12/18/2008 | ||||||
| Advertised Program Length: 3 Years | ||||||
| Maximum Time to Complete Program: 5 Years | ||||||
| Time After Graduation for MFT License in Oregon: at Least 3 Years | ||||||
| Cohort Year Students Entered Program | # Enrolled | % Graduated in 3 Years | % Graduated in 5 Years | # of Grads Working in Field / # Who Provided Info* | National Exam Pass Rate* | MFT Licensure Rate |
| 2008-2009 | 21 | 54.5% | 59% | 12/12 (100%) | 87.5% | 58% |
| 2009-2010 | 22 | 68.2% | 77% | 15/15 (100%) | 100.00% | 66.7% |
| 2010-2011 | 14 | 85.7% | 100.00% | 13/13 (100%) | 100.00% | 100% |
| 2011-2012 | 33 | 78.8% | 85% | 21/21 (100%) | 100.00% | 60.7% |
| 2012-2013 | 37 | 91.9% | 95% | 30/32 (94%) | 100% | 34.25% |
| 2013-2014 | 30 | 80% | 80% | 22/23 (96%) | 100% | 4.2% |
| 2014-2015 | 39 | 87.1% | 95% | 27/29 (93%) | In process | In process |
| 2015-2016 | 37 | 83.8% | In process | 27/31 (87%) | In process | In process |
| 2016-2017 | 37 | In process | In process | In process | In process | In process |
| 2017-2018 | 28 | In process | In process | In process | In process | In process |
| 2018-2019 | 42 | In process | In process | In process | In process | In process |
*Students graduate in August. Employment report by end of December (i.e., employment within 4 months of graduation). Includes those who intentionally take a break.