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This CACREP- and COAMFTE-accredited program is designed to prepare you for positions in marriage and family therapy in agency, community, and private practice settings. You'll receive academic preparation and clinical training intended to instill high standards for professional practice. Develop the ability to apply counseling theory, wellness theory, and research to relationship-building with families and couples.

Outcome goals and graduates' proficiency levels

These results show recent Capella graduates' proficiency levels in the expected learning outcomes for this program. Faculty make this assessment in the capstone course—the final course in which Capella students demonstrate what they’ve learned.

2017-2018 Demonstration of Program Outcomes

Master of Science in Marriage and Family Counseling/Therapy

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    0% Non-Performance Does not integrate and apply research and theories, including individual, systemic and relational theories; theories of individual and family development across the life span.
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    3% Basic Incomplete integration and application of research and theories, including individual, systemic and relational theories; theories of individual and family development across the life span.
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    35% Proficient Integrates and applies research and theories, including individual, systemic and relational theories; theories of individual and family development across the life span.
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    62% Distinguished Analyzes and integrates research and theories, including individual, systemic and relational theories; theories of individual and family development across the life span.

Integrate and apply research and theories, including individual, systemic and relational theories; theories of individual and family development across the life span.

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    0% Non-Performance Does not demonstrate knowledge of culturally and ethnically sensitive matters in a variety of settings integrating concepts of advocacy and social justice.
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    4% Basic Incomplete demonstration of knowledge of culturally and ethnically sensitive matters in a variety of settings integrating concepts of advocacy and social justice.
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    34% Proficient Demonstrates knowledge of culturally and ethnically sensitive matters in a variety of settings integrating concepts of advocacy and social justice.
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    63% Distinguished Synthesizes knowledge of culturally and ethnically sensitive matters in a variety of settings integrating concepts of advocacy and social justice.

Demonstrates knowledge of culturally and ethnically sensitive matters in a variety of settings integrating concepts of advocacy and social justice.

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    0% Non-Performance Does not apply and practice systemic theory relevant to family dynamics in the field of marriage and family therapy.
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    1% Basic Incomplete application of systemic theory relevant to family dynamics in the field of marriage and family therapy.
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    29% Proficient Applies and practices systemic theory relevant to family dynamics in the field of marriage and family therapy.
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    70% Distinguished Skillfully applies and practices systemic theory relevant to family dynamics in the field of marriage and family therapy.

Apply and practice systemic theory relevant to family dynamics in the field of marriage and family therapy.

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    2% Non-Performance Does not apply the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy and the American Counseling Association Codes of Ethics.
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    1% Basic Incomplete application of American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy and the American Counseling Association Codes of Ethics.
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    12% Proficient Applies the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy and the American Counseling Association Codes of Ethics.
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    85% Distinguished Skillfully applies the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy and the American Counseling Association Codes of Ethics.

Apply the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy and the American Counseling Association Codes of Ethics.

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    0% Non-Performance Does not use a systemic perspective for client engagement, assessment and intervention.
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    4% Basic Incomplete use of systemic perspective for client engagement, assessment and intervention.
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    35% Proficient Uses a systemic perspective for client engagement, assessment and intervention.
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    61% Distinguished Skillfully integrates and uses a systemic perspective for client engagement, assessment and intervention.

Use a systemic perspective for client engagement, assessment and intervention.

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    0% Non-Performance Does not articulate own model of therapy and theory of change; align systemic clinical practice and professional development with state and national standards for the discipline.
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    1% Basic Incomplete articulation of own model of therapy and theory of change; align systemic clinical practice and professional development with state and national standards for the discipline.
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    17% Proficient Articulates own model of therapy and theory of change; align systemic clinical practice and professional development with state and national standards for the discipline.
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    82% Distinguished Synthesizes own model of therapy and theory of change; align systemic clinical practice and professional development with state and national standards for the discipline.

Articulate own model of therapy and theory of change; align systemic clinical practice and professional development with state and national standards for the discipline.

Capella Learning and Career Outcomes - MS in Marriage and Family Therapy Outcomes

Outcome Demonstrations
Source: Aggregated faculty judgments of learner demonstration of program outcomes from Q2 2017 — Q1 2018 capstone courses.

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Master of Science (MS) in Marriage and Family Counseling/Therapy specialization

  • General Marriage and Family Counseling/Therapy

Quality and Professional Relevance

  • The MS in Marriage and Family Counseling/Therapy program at Capella University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE), 112 South Alfred Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314; 703.838.9808.
  • Capella University's PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision, MS in Mental Health Counseling, MS in School Counseling, and MS in Marriage and Family Counseling/Therapy programs are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) through March 31, 2020.
  • The 2018 Counseling Education Unit Annual Report is available.
  • Our faculty is made up of scholar-practitioners who are active within their professions and bring real-world experience to the courseroom.
  • All members of Capella's counselor education faculty hold doctoral degrees from accredited institutions.
  • Marriage and Family Counseling/Therapy graduates have a 73% pass rate on the National Counseling Exam.1
  • 159 learners graduated from the Marriage and Family Counseling/Therapy program between July 1, 2017 and June 30, 2018.
  • The current completion rate for learners from the Marriage and Family Counseling/Therapy program that enrolled in 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 and graduated within 32 quarters is 42%.2
  • Of those that reported actively seeking employment, 84% of the Marriage and Family Counseling/Therapy graduates surveyed reported job placement within 180 days of graduation.3

Capella University cannot guarantee licensure, endorsement, certification, authorization, other professional credential, or salary advancement. State regulations and professional credential standards vary. It is each learner's responsibility to understand and comply with requirements for his or her state and professional associations.

1Exam pass rates are based on reports from the National Board of Certified Counselors on statistics for self-reported Capella alumni taking the NCE exam in 2017. Capella is notified of exam scores by the exam proctor only if the exam takers identify Capella as a recipient of their scores. Out of 22 MFCT graduates that took the NCE exam, 16 passed.

2Completion rate is the percentage of those learners from 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 cohorts (learners who register for a second course in the year specified and complete their degree) - who finished their degree within 32 quarters. Within this group, out of 535 Marriage and Family Counseling/Therapy learners, 227 graduated within 32 quarters.

3Capella does not offer job placement. Data for job placement were gathered via an alumni survey distributed to alumni that graduated from Capella's CACREP-accredited programs in 2017. There were 19 Marriage And Family Counseling/Therapy respondents to the Alumni Survey reported actively seeking employment. Of those seeking employment 16 reported being employed within 180 days of graduation.

Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy/Counseling Degree Program Graduates

Data from graduates of the Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy/Counseling degree program have been combined for these Career Outcomes results.

The graphs below show some key findings from Capella's Alumni Outcomes Survey. We use this information to help improve our courses, programs and services and to give you an idea of how alumni are using their degrees.

      Career Preparation
MS in Marriage and Family Therapy/Counseling Graduates  

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Career Preparation
 MS in Marriage and Family Therapy/Counseling Graduates

 The skills and knowledge have been immediately applicable to my career: 100%

 My degree has positioned me to achieve my professional ambitions: 100%

 Capella's competency based curriculum has prepared me for the needs of my profession: 75%

 

Percentage of respondents who answered "strongly agree" or "agree"
Source: Responses to the Alumni Outcomes Survey one year after graduation. The data were collected during Q3 2017 - Q1 2018.

Career & Professional Accomplishments
 MS in Marriage and Family Therapy/Counseling Graduates

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Career and Professional Accomplishments
 MS in Marriage and Family Therapy/Counseling Graduates

 Made a significant contribution to my profession: 50%

 Successfully changed jobs and-or-careers: 60%

 Assumed leadership responsibilities: 30%

 Received a salary increase: 40%

 Received a promotion: 40%

Multiple factors, including prior experience, age, geography, and degree field, affect career outcomes, and Capella does not guarantee a job, promotion, salary increase, or other career growth.

Percentage of respondents who indicated they had accomplished each item.

Source: Responses to the Alumni Outcomes Survey one year after graduation. The data were collected during Q3 2017 – Q1 2018.

Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy/Counseling Degree Program Graduates

Data from graduates of the Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy/Counseling degree program have been combined for these Student Experience results.

The graphs below show some key findings from Capella's Alumni Outcomes Survey. We use this information to help improve our courses, programs and services and to give you an idea of how alumni feel about Capella and what general skills and abilities they gained.

Satisfaction With Capella
MS in Marriage and Family Therapy/Counseling Graduates

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Satisfaction with Capella
MS in Marriage and Family Therapy/Counseling Graduates

 I have or intend to recommend Capella: 50%

 I am satisfied with my Capella education: 100%

 Capella gave me the most efficient direct path to completing my degree: 100%

 

Percentage of respondents who answered affirmatively.
Source: Responses to the Alumni Outcomes Survey one year after graduation. The data were collected during Q3 2017 – Q1 2018.

Skills & Abilities
 MS in Marriage and Family Therapy/Counseling Graduates

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    75%

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Skills & Abilities
 MS in Marriage and Family Therapy/Counseling Graduates

Write clearly, accurately, and professionally; use sources appropriately : 100%

Communicate thoughts and ideas in varied settings : 100%

Show ethical conduct reflecting values and beliefs of discipline : 100%

Show knowledge of field; respect contributions of other fields : 100%

Analyze theoretical issues or investigate real-world phenomena, create knowledge : 100%

Locate, evaluate and communicate information; address legal, professional, other issues : 100%

Critically examine, analyze, and evaluate thinking using intellectual standards and creativity : 75%

Critically evaluate, select, and use discipline-appropriate technology : 100%

Show appreciation for group and individual differences : 100%

Demonstrate effective leadership in diverse environments : 75%

Apply the specialized knowledge associated with professional practice area : 100%

 

Percentage of respondents who rated themselves as "proficient" or "exceptional" on ability to demonstrate the skill or ability on the job.
Source: Responses to the Alumni Outcomes Survey one year after graduation. The data were collected during Q3 2017 – Q2 2018.

Earn Your Master's Degree

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Four graduate schools. More than 40 specializations. Enroll in an online master’s degree program at Capella.

"It was a huge accomplishment just to complete the degree. Everything that I have learned at Capella has definitely prepared me and given me the courage to start my own nonprofit."

Synthia Smith, MS

2009 Graduate

Harold Abel School of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Specialization in
Specialization