Prospective Students

Admissions Requirements

1) Completion of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university

2) A grade point average of 3.0 (B) or better in the most recent 60-semester units of upper-division course work undertaken as a student

3) Completion of the Graduate Record Examination General Aptitude (GRE) Test; an average GPA of 3.5 or attainment of a previous master’s degree waives this requirement 

4) Applicants are required to apply to the University (Cal State Apply: https://www2.calstate.edu/apply), which includes the Department of Marital and Family Therapy Supplemental Application. The following program materials must be uploaded on Cal State Apply:

a. Personal Statement /Autobiographical Essay
b. Written Sample
c. Three letters of recommendation
d. CV/Resume
e. GRE Test Score (if applicable) 

5) Submit Official Transcripts to the University  

6) Interview with the admission committee

Classified Standing and Conditionally Classified Status

Only students who have met all requirements as noted under “Preparation” for the M.S. in Marital and Family Therapy Program will be considered for admission with “Classified” standing. Students who lack any or all of the admission requirements may be considered for admission into the program with “Conditionally Classified” standing. This would allow them to enroll in the University to correct their deficiencies, and also permit them to take up to nine semester units of graduate course work which could apply toward their degree if and when “Classified” standing has been established. Please note that admission to Conditionally Classified Standing does not assure that a student will achieve Classified Standing in the program.

Requirements for Advancement to Candidacy

Candidacy status denotes successful completion of the academic coursework portion of a student’s graduate program. Completion of academic classes (does not include fieldwork) allows the student to take the written qualifying examination, which is offered during the student’s last semester of study. It includes a positive review of all graduate work by the coordinator. See the "Graduate Degrees and Post Baccalaureate Studies" section for complete requirements for Advancement to Candidacy.