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Loma Linda University's COAMFTE-accredited Master of Science in Marital and Family Therapy (MFT MS) program—the only one of its kind in the Inland Empire—prepares skilled clinicians to work with individuals, couples, and families across a wide range of settings. Whether you choose the flexible online format or the immersive on-campus experience, both paths share the same rigorous clinical training, evidence-based curriculum, and commitment to compassionate, whole person care. You'll graduate in as few as two years, ready to pursue California licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist and equipped to make a meaningful difference in medical, community, and mental health settings.
🔔 Admissions and Program Requirements
- On-campus applications for Fall 2026 are open! No application fee required. Apply by April 15, 2026.
- Tuition waivers are available for those interested in adding a Play Therapy or Drug and Alcohol Counseling certificate to their program (see below for more information).
- Earn your degree in two years from the only COAMFTE-accredited MFT program in the Inland Empire. Upon graduation, you are eligible to pursue California licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist. Students in the on-campus program may add 4 units to their program and also pursue the California Professional Clinical Counselor license.
📸 Program Snapshot
- Full-time and part-time options available
- Only COAMFTE-accredited program in the Inland Empire
- No GREs or course prerequisites required
- Internships across the Loma Linda University Health system of care and throughout the community
- Embedded curriculum for practice with active-duty military and veterans
- Christian environment emphasizing integrated learning, respect for all persons, and compassionate whole person care
- Embedded professional self-care
Program Director
Dr. Lena Lopez Bradley
PhD, MS, LMFT
Assistant Professor, Counseling and Family Sciences
Director, Marital & Family Therapy MS and Counseling MS with Marital & Family Therapy MS with Drug & Alcohol Counseling Certificate (Dual Degree) Programs
🔀 2 MFT MS Program Options
Which one is right for you?
The MS degree in marital and family therapy is designed to give students an excellent academic and clinical background—and with both online and on-campus formats available, you can pursue that foundation in the way that best fits your life. The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) and approved by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS), preparing students for professional clinical practice with individuals, couples, and families across a wide range of settings, including medical, legal, educational, community mental health, managed care, church, and private practice.
Whether you choose the flexibility of online learning or the immersive on-campus experience, both paths deliver the same comprehensive training to address co-occurring disorders, serious emotional disorders, crisis care, chronic mental illness, child and elder abuse, emancipation issues, and complex relational challenges. Coursework emphasizes cross-cultural awareness, diversity, law and ethics, evidence-based systemic approaches, life-span development, family and community systems, collaborative case coordination, and the elimination of mental health stigma—with a curricular focus on relational therapy, marriage and couple therapy, and systemic practice.
Outcome Based Education Framework (PDF)
Please Note: The curriculum of this program includes attendance during the summer terms.
LLU MFT MS Disclosure for Academic Programs Leading to Licensure or Credentialing and Licensing Regulations Across States and Provinces
Admission into programs leading to licensure and credentialing does not guarantee that students will obtain a license or credential. Agencies and States set licensure and credentialing requirements that are not controlled by or affiliated with the university, and requirements can change at any time. For example, licensure or credentialing requirements can include evidence of the right to work in the United States (e.g., social security number or taxpayer identification number) or successfully passing a criminal background check. Applicants and students are responsible for determining whether they can meet licensure or credentialing requirements. The university will not refund tuition, fees, or any associated costs to students who determine that they cannot meet licensure or credentialing requirements after admission.
Furthermore, Couples, Marriage, and Family Therapy is a profession that leads to licensure in all 50 states; however, each state has its law and regulations about what is needed to become licensed as an MFT in that state. Additionally, not every state will accept a degree and supervised hours earned in another state. Therefore, you are encouraged to review license requirements in the state you intend to practice in as soon as possible so that you understand what different states may and may not accept. Here is the link to each state's licensure resources: MFT State/Provincial Resources.
The coursework for Loma Linda University was designed to meet MFT licensure requirements in California. You may read more about California's state requirements for MFT licensure by visiting the CA Board of Behavioral Sciences website at BBS.CA.GOV. Information concerning licensure and credentialing requirements is available in the CFS Student Clinical Handbook. If you have questions about the program's alignment with professional licensure, you may contact the Program Director, Lena Lopez Bradley, PhD, LMFT at [email protected].
Graduate Story
The faculty at Loma Linda are compassionate, proficient, exceptional individuals who helped me to grow as both a clinician and a learner.
🩺 Medical Family Therapy Concentration or Specialization
The Medical Family Therapy Concentration or Specialization is designed for individuals with an interest in working with patients and families living with an illness, injury, or disability. Courses include relevant family systems-informed theories and models, assessment and intervention skills, emphasis on diversity and social contexts, and collaborating with medical professionals, and unique self-of-therapist considerations. The specialization in medical family therapy prepares students to work as a member of the healthcare team in addressing the biopsychosocial-spiritual needs of patients and families. Individuals trained can work in medical settings, private practice, schools, community settings, mental health facilities, etc.
➕ Add a Certificate to Your MFT MS Program
Students entering an MS degree program within the Department of Counseling and Family Sciences who are interested in obtaining certification in Play Therapy or Drug & Alcohol Counseling will receive a tuition waiver for the certificate program of their choice. Students interested in this benefit are required to enroll in elective courses specified by their academic advisor. Tuition waivers do not apply to any units used to support the student's primary degree program.