Our CACREP-accredited program will prepare you for licensure as a professional counselor
(LPC), which is essential for employment in the mental health field and private practice.
You will develop the understanding and skills for working with people who are experiencing
such issues/conditions as: anxiety, depression, trauma, autism spectrum disorders,
eating disorders, relational conflict, grief/loss, etc.
Our stimulating curriculum includes experiential learning, self-reflection papers,
case study analysis and group activities. Nearly all of our courses are taught in
a traditional rather than a distance education format.
Pursue Your Bigger Goals
Our M.S. Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling degree prepares you to make an impact
in the field of mental health. You will learn to understand conflict as it relates
to the family unit and learn to assist families and couples in navigating those interactions.
Also, you'll learn to assist with issues such as anger management, self-esteem and
grief and learn to create collaborative treatment plans for care.
After earning your degree in 2.5 years, you can have many career opportunities including
becoming a:
Out-patient, in-patient or mobile therapist
Private practice
Family-based mental health therapist
Substance abuse counselor
Behavioral specialist consultant (BSC)
Community mental health counselor
Career counselor
Probation/parole officer
Program Information
Our CACREP-accredited program will prepare you for licensure as a professional counselor
(LPC) to work as a counselor in family-based practice, private practice and many additional
settings.
You may be eligible to receive a 15% tuition award for taking six credits per semester.
Accreditation
Our program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related
Educational Programs (CACREP). CACREP programs have rigorous curriculum & provide
comprehensive fieldwork supervision. Graduates of CACREP-accredited programs have
greater portability for licensure and certification. Some states require graduation
from a CACREP-accredited program to obtain Licensure as a Professional Counselor (LPC).
LPCLicensure
Graduates of our Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling program satisfy the academic
requirements for licensure as a professional counselor (LPC) and for National Counseling
Certification (NCC).
100%Job Placement Rate
Our alumni have a 100% job placement rate.
100%Exam Pass Rate
Our graduates have a 100% pass rate on the LPC exam.
Great Value, Great Education
In 2.5 years, our 60-credit program gives you the flexibility, skills and experience
so you can pursue your bigger goals.
Earning your master's degree in Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling can be completed
within 2.5 years by taking nine to 12 credits per semester.
You have the option to complete the program on a full-time or part-time basis and
can take classes in the late afternoon and early evening.
Our program accepts students with bachelor's degrees in a variety of areas. There
are no undergraduate pre-requisites, other than having a bachelor's degree.
You have the opportunity to experience a variety of mental health agencies for fieldwork.
Our students have held internships at agencies such as:
Graduates of our Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling program satisfy the academic
requirements for licensure as a professional counselor (LPC) and for National Counseling
Certification (NCC). Our Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling program does not meet
the academic requirements for Licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT),
but LPC graduates of the program are able to provide marriage, couple and family counseling
and many agencies prefer the LPC to the LMFT.
As a graduate of this program, you will be amongst numerous graduates who serve as
leaders in the mental health profession.
Application Process
All Applicants
3.0 GPA* *Applicants are customarily expected to have a 3.0 grade point average, based on a
four-point scale, in their undergraduate work. However, exceptions may be granted
on a limited basis, in which there is substantial additional evidence of a student's
academic competency.
Bachelor’s Degree All majors welcome to apply
International Applicants
English Proficiency Requirements Â鶹ֱ²¥ requires submission of the Test of English as a Foreign Language
(TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or Duolingo English
Test (DET) scores for all non-native English-speaking applicants who attended a university
outside of the United States.
Score Requirements The University requires the following minimum scores* for general admission consideration:
TOEFL (iBT) 80
IELTS 6.5**
Duolingo English Test 105
Transcript Credit Evaluation If your transcript(s) is from an institution located outside of the United States,
you must use a transcript credential evaluation service to obtain a course-by-course
report.
The official reports must be sent directly to Â鶹ֱ²¥ from the organization
you order through and will qualify as official transcripts.
You may use the following services to request official foreign credential evaluations:
or .
Prompt: Discuss your professional plans upon acquiring a master's degree in counseling
Two (2) Recommendations
Names and email addresses of recommenders are needed
Recommender will receive an email prompting the recommender to upload their recommendation
for the applicant
Recommendations must be from individuals who can speak about the applicant’s academic professional abilities (i.e. faculty/supervisor recommendations)
Note: Family, friends and professional colleagues are not acceptable references
Official transcripts Submit transcripts to one of the following:
Hard Copy: Â鶹ֱ²¥ Office of Graduate Admissions 600 Forbes Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15282
Official TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo (please see score requirements in the previous section - "Admission Requirements,
International Applicants")
Transcript Credit Evaluation
If your transcript(s) is from an institution located outside of the United States,
you must use a transcript credential evaluation service to obtain a course-by-course
report.
The official reports must be sent directly to Â鶹ֱ²¥ from the organization
you order through and will qualify as official transcripts.
You may use the following services to request official foreign credential evaluations:
or.
Qualified applicants will be notified starting in the late fall for spring interviews.
Early Start Program - Marriage, Couple & Family Counseling, M.S.
Our M.S. Marriage, Couple & Family Counseling program offers an early start option
for School of Education undergraduate students. During your junior or senior year,
you have the opportunity to take up to five courses in this master's-level program
at the undergraduate tuition rate.
Connect with us to learn more and we will walk you through the application process. To get started, call (412) 396-6093.
Learning Outcomes
M.S. Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling Mission Statement To prepare marriage, couple and family counselors who provide mental health services
that incorporate a focus on development in accordance with a culturally sustaining
and ecological-systems framework
Learning Outcomes - Program Objectives
Use a culturally sustaining and ecological-systems framework in conceptualizing client’s/student’s
presenting issues and needs.
Understand and follow legal and ethical standards.
Understand and demonstrate use of counseling theories in conceptualizing and providing
individual and group counseling and consultation to clients/students and their important
others.
Effectively use active listening skills in forming professional helping relationships
with clients/students and their important others.
Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling Graduate Statistics
Statistics
2019-20
2020-21
2021-22
2022-23
2023-24
Number of Graduates
3
5
4
3
4
Completion Rate
100%
50%
84%
84%
33%
LPC Examination Pass Rate
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
Job Placement Rate
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
For additional information and statistics, please see the .
Faculty Perspective
Our program equips you to work with individuals, couples, children & families
at a deeper level from all backgrounds & with a wide variety of presenting concerns.
You’ll learn from a systemic perspective; we’re all impacted by the families & systems
we grow up in. Even if a client comes to therapy alone, their family is still in the
room with them.
Clinical Facilitator | Clinical Assistant Professor
Featured content
Mission Statement - Counselor Education
The mission of the Â鶹ֱ²¥ Counselor Education program is to prepare professional
counselors, educators, scholars and clinical supervisors who promote the well-being
of individuals, families, organizations and communities. This mission aligns with
the University’s Spiritan mission to serve God by educating counselors who value social
justice, meet high personal and professional standards; and promote moral, spiritual,
intellectual, physical, social and emotional development.
Accreditation
Our counseling program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling
and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).
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Learn about our admission requirements and the application process. Make an impact
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