What will I learn?

1. How human systems function, develop and grow
2. A broad range of theories concerning problem-solving in therapy
3. The skills to practice individual, couple, family and group therapy

See the course descriptions for more specific details.

Who will teach me?
Faculty members who are nationally-recognized scholars in the field; and clinical trainers and supervisors who are currently practicing clinicians. Because 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.

How will I be taught?
Small, interactive classes; 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.

What can I do with an MSMFT degree?

1. Practice all forms of psychotherapy
2. Become licensed in marriage and family therapy and a clinical member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy
3. Provide qualified mental health care
4. 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.

The integrative approach to family therapy, pioneered at The Family Institute, addresses emotional and behavioral problems in the context of both familial and extra-familial relationships.  Students are required to obtain over 500 hours of face-to-face clinical experience.  This is a higher standard of direct supervised clinical experience than is required in therapy training programs in other disciplines.  This gives MFT graduates more clinical experience than graduates of other programs. 

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.

Are there any fellowships or teaching assistantships available?
Students may apply for partial scholarship assistance upon acceptance into the 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 Financial Aid page

Is the application process competitive?
We generally receive approximately 90-100 applications per year.

How large are classes?
Approximately 20-22 students are admitted each year to the MSMFT Program.

How much money do marriage and family therapists (MFTs) make?
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, an annual Career Guidance Night 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. 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:

1. community mental health centers
2. family counseling centers
3. clinics
4. hospitals (working in inpatient or outpatient family therapy)
5. residential schools (working with children and families)
6. as family business consultants and therapists
7. hospice programs
8. administration in mental health programs
9. human resources or Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) for businesses
10. private practice

I f you have any additional questions, please contact us: