What to Know Before Applying
What Our Program Costs
a. Tuition to complete both years of the program is estimated to be $96,750 in for the Class of 2014.
b. An additional cost is an estimated living expense of $20,000/yr for a single student.
c. The cost of books varies, particularly with the help of on-line resources. On average books cost $180 per quarter.
Debt Management
a. Although Northwestern University is expensive and managing tuition generally requires taking out student loans, there are a number of options for financing and repaying student loans.
b. Health care professionals, which include Marriage and Family Therapists are eligible for the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program, which is a program through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that provides students with the opportunity to have their entire debt paid off by agreeing to work in underserved communities at an approved site. Here is a link describing their program: http://nhsc.hrsa.gov/loanrepayment/
c. What kind of financial aid is offered to Graduate Students?
d. When should one apply for financial aid?
- As soon as you have been accepted and have committed to enter the program.
- All applicants who apply for financial aid should first complete a FAFSA application. Please note that FAFSA generally gives preference to individuals who file their application early in the calendar year. Please see FAFSA information and dates at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/
e. Where can one find more information about loan repayment plans, loan calculators, and financial planning?
f. Where can one find information about loan forgiveness through non-profit or government employment?
g. Are there any fellowships or teaching assistantships available?
- Students may apply for partial scholarship assistance upon acceptance into the MSMFT Program. Additionally, partial funding may occasionally be made available to students through various research projects at The Family Institute. However, Northwestern University does not offer fellowships or assistantships for the MSMFT program at this time. Such assistance is typical of PhD programs and is rare among masters-level programs. See the Tuition & Financial Aid page for more information.
FAQs
a. Academics & Practicum
How human systems function, develop and grow
A broad range of theories concerning problem-solving in therapy
The skills to practice individual, couple, family and group therapy
See the course descriptions for more specific details.
Faculty members who are nationally-recognized scholars in the field, and by practicing clinicians. Because all of our faculty are practicing clinicians, they are able to offer the most up-to-date practice methods and also help students gain a realistic perspective on the day-to-day details of professional clinical practice as an MFT.
Through a combination of didactics and extensive supervision of clinical work, both individually and in groups. Your clinical training will be done with Family Institute cases at Institute facilities, as well as at The Institute's Community Outreach Program sites.
Approximately 22-26 students are admitted each year to the MSMFT Program.
- Are professors actively involved in research? What opportunities are available for students to get involved in research?
We have a three primary, ongoing research projects at The Family Institute, which interested students can get involved in (please see the research section of our website for project descriptions). There are also additional faculty who are engaged in scholarly writing projects that students can get involved in. In the past, industrious students interested in Ph.D. programs have also sought out research opportunities with other professors throughout Northwestern University including the Psychology Department, School of Education and Social Policy, and the Medical School.
No
- How many classes do students typically take?
Generally, 4 classes in the fall, winter, and spring, and 3 classes in the summer.
- How long does the program take to complete?
Our program takes two years to complete, including intensive coursework and a demanding caseload in the summer.
- When can students start seeing clients?
We believe in a "learn by doing" approach. Thus, our students begin seeing clients right away by the middle of the first quarter of our program.
b. Career
- What can I do with an MSMFT degree?
- Practice all forms of psychotherapy
- Become licensed in marriage and family therapy and a clinical member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy
- Provide qualified mental health care
- Work in a range of educational, health and social service institutions or have a private practice.
- How does this degree and training compare to other degrees in mental health?
This program focuses on marriage and family therapy as a separate and distinct mental health discipline. The Federal government has designated marriage and family therapy as one of the five (5) core mental health professions. Currently 48 states regulate the profession by licensing marriage and family therapists. The American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy is the association that represents the field of MFT. For more information see http://www.aamft.org/about/Aboutaamft.asp.
Our program is also unique in that we use state of the art technology to perform 21st century therapy. We have developed an integrative approach to family therapy. Please see September 2011 issue of Family Process for a description of our approach.
We require students to obtain a minimum of 500 hours of face-to-face clinical experience, which is a higher standard of direct supervised clinical experience than is required in many other masters' therapy training programs. We believe this gives our students an advantage when looking for a job.
- How much money do marriage and family therapists (MFTs) earn?
According to a survey published in the January 2006 issue of Psychotherapy Finances, the median income for marriage & family therapists was $62,150, while median income was $48,311 for professional counselors and $58,333 for clinical social workers. However, beginning therapists in any field generally earn significantly less than this. The salary typical of a two-year post-master's graduate working toward MFT license eligibility is comparable to that of a medical resident.
- How will this program help me find a job after graduation?
The Family Institute's MSMFT Program offers an unusual combination of classroom hours with a minimum of 500 hours of face-to-face client work with 250 combined hours of group and individual supervision. Such extensive exposure to clinical work and supervision places graduates at distinct advantage in finding employment. Additionally, our alumni board hosts an annual Career Guidance Night, which provides an opportunity for students to learn directly from the experiences of seasoned and recent alumni who are working in the field. A panel discussion on job seeking strategies and professional opportunities for making a difference are presented in a format which also provides active and useful alumni networking. The guidance and career counseling office at Northwestern University is available as a resource to our students as well. Furthermore, the national prestige of Northwestern University and The Family Institute generally give our graduates a distinct advantage in any job market in the United States.
- What sorts of jobs do graduates of this program typically find?
Graduates of our program report finding jobs in the following areas:
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- community mental health centers
- family counseling centers
- clinics
- hospitals (working in inpatient or outpatient family therapy)
- residential schools (working with children and families)
- as family business consultants and therapists
- hospice programs
- administration in mental health programs
- human resources or Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) for businesses
- private practice
- What is the placement rate of our graduate?
Of those seeking employment, 100% secure a job within one year of graduation.
- Does this program prepare students interested in getting their Ph.D.?
Yes. Each year, approximately 20%-30% our graduating students enter Ph.D. programs. Dr. Chambers also provides mentoring to students interested in going on for their Ph.D.
b. Living
- Do students live on or off NU's campus? What is a typical renting rate in the Evanston area?
For on campus housing information, see http://www.northwestern.edu/gradhousing/
Most students live off campus, either in Evanston or Chicago. Rental costs vary, but a tool to see averages based on location can be obtained at http://www.rentometer.com/
- Do I receive health care coverage?
Full-time students are required to have health insurance. For information about Northwestern University's Student Health Insurance, please see http://www.nuhs.northwestern.edu/evanston/insurance.aspx
c. The Application and Selection Process
- Can I attend the program part-time?
The MSMFT Program is a full-time, two-year program, including continuous enrollment over the summer quarter in the first year.
- Is the application process competitive?
We generally receive approximately 90-100 applications per year
- Do I need to submit a GRE score with my application?
We do NOT require the GRE.
d. Do I need a degree in a certain area to apply to the program?
No, although an applicant may be asked to complete Introduction to Psychology, Human Development, and/or Research Methods.
e. Can someone apply to both the MSMFT & MA in Counseling Psychology programs?
No, one may only apply to one Northwestern University program at a time.
f. When should I apply to NU's graduate MSMFT program?
You may submit an application from 9/2/11 through 1/13/12
g. How is my application evaluated?
We weigh each part of the application and consider academic performance, life experiences, intellectual and interpersonal capability, and references.
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