How to Apply
Key Facts About the Admission Process
- Application for admissions: Opens on October 1, 2025
- Approximately 30 students enter the program each year
- Admission decisions are made after admission interviews
- All admission decisions are made on a rolling basis
- Program slots tend to fill quickly so we encourage you to submit your application as early as possible
Application Deadline & Interview Dates for the Fall Quarter 2026
- Admissions Deadline: December 2, 2025 (Please indicate if you're applying for early decision or regular decision in program specific application.)
Admission interviews are by invitation only and will be held via Zoom:
- Early Decision Interview - To be announced
- Regular Decision Interview - To be announced
Application Instructions
Please complete the following application requirements:
- Complete the MSMFT Program Specific Application:
- Complete TGS online application form | Code 1565
- Unofficial transcripts for each institution attended
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) or Professional Resume
- Two (2) letters of recommendation – Uploaded by recommender
- TGS Personal Statement (500 word maximum)
- MSMFT Program Academic Statement (1,000 word maximum)
The Admissions Committee is most interested in you and why you want to be a marriage and family therapist. Your Academic Statement should be written so that we may "get to know you" better.
Please respond to the following questions:
- What personal and family experiences have influenced your interest in a career as a marriage and family therapist?
- Describe your capacity and readiness to complete your degree while balancing multiple, competing responsibilities.
- What attracts you to the field of marriage and family therapy (as opposed to social work, counseling, or clinical psychology)?
- What attracts you to the MSMFT Program here at Northwestern University?
- Given that this is a clinical program where you will be asked to help people overcome challenging life circumstances, please describe a time in your life when things didn’t go well for you. Describe the circumstances of this time and how you handled the challenges associated with it.
- International students: Official English Language Test Scores (TOEFL or IELTS) See instructions
- Upload all the above items to the online application in CollegeNet.
- Pay the application fee of $95.00.
Please note, the MSMFT Program does not fit the criteria for STEM Optional Practicum Training for F-1 students.
Questions regarding the Application Process, please contact:
Admission Deadlines
All applications are due by December 2, 2025. Late applications will not be considered. If you are certain that Northwestern University is where you wish to study, we encourage you to apply under our Early Decision plan. As with all traditional Early Decision plans, if admitted, you agree to withdraw all applications at other colleges and enroll at Northwestern in the Fall.
We encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible.
Individuals who represent a broad range of backgrounds and life experiences are encouraged to apply.
Prerequisites
Eligible candidates must hold a bachelor's degree or its equivalent from an accredited college or university to be considered for admission. Applicants usually have an undergraduate degree in one of the behavioral or family sciences. If an applicant’s degree is in another field, it is required that they take the following college level courses or their equivalent if you are accepted:
- Introduction to Psychology
- Human Development
All candidates must provide evidence (i.e. transcript) of successful completion of prerequisites before beginning the program.
A few example of courses and their description are listed below:
- Introduction to Psychology — A survey course reviewing primary psychological research and theories of human behavior. Laboratory experience exposes students to psychology as a research science.
- Human Development: Childhood and Adolescence — Personal, social and cognitive development from birth through adolescence. Interplay of biological and experiential factors on linguistic and conceptual development, ego and personality.
- Human Development: Adulthood and Aging — Psychological, sociological and biological factors influencing socialization and development from young and middle adulthood through old age. Influences of family, school and work on the individual.
What We Consider When Reviewing Applications
- Academic performance
- Work experience
- Motivation for graduate study
- Evidence of commitment to working with families
- Potential for success in the program and as a marriage and family therapist
- The Graduate School Application Requirements
Applicant Acknowledgement of Regulatory Alignment
Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) is a profession that leads to licensure in all 50 states; however, each state has its own laws and regulations about what is needed to become licensed as an MFT in that state.
Not every state will accept a degree and supervised hours earned in another state. Review license requirements in the state you intend to practice as soon as possible so that you understand what may and may not be accepted across state lines.
Learn more about each state’s licensure resources
The coursework for the Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy (MSMFT) program at Northwestern University was designed to meet MFT licensure requirements in the state of Illinois.
Learn more about MFT licensure requirements in Illinois
If you have questions about the program’s alignment with professional licensure, you may contact the Department Chair and Program Director, Dr. Mudita Rastogi.
Notice of Background Check
The Family Institute at Northwestern University requires all applicants with conditional admissions to the Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy program to complete an online background check to determine criminal history. The cost of the background check associated with the admissions process is $38. Having an adverse criminal history does not necessarily preclude admissions, as determinations are considered at a case-by-case decision. Admitted applicants are strongly encouraged to review their state licensure requirements as adverse criminal history may impact their ability to gain state licensure. The education programs at The Family Institute are not related to state license regulations.
If information from the background report is utilized in whole or in part in making an adverse decision regarding admissions, prior to the decision The Family Institute will provide the applicant with a copy of the consumer report and a written description of his or her rights under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act.
Some sites require an additional background check when a student is placed on internship. This cost is determined by the site and while it will be disclosed to the student during the placement process, we are unable to quantify it at this time.