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Questions about our programs? Join the Department of Counseling and Family Sciences for one of our helpful online info sessions.
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important information
- Applications for Fall 2026 are open! No application fee required. Apply by March 15, 2026.
- This program accepts students who reside in California and approved SARA states. No international students are accepted at this time. Students from each of the United States, its territories, and international students are invited to apply to the on-campus MFT MS program.
- Course curriculum includes both synchronous and asynchronous course formats.
- Practicum placements are completed in person and in the geographic location of the student. All practicum sites require approval of the program.
- 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 2.5 years from the only COAMFTE-accredited MFT online program in the Inland Empire. Upon graduation, you are eligible to pursue California licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist.
At a Glance
- Full-time online program is 2.5 years (9 quarters) 90 quarter unit academic program; part-time options are available
- Program timeline considers the needs of working professionals
- Only COAMFTE-accredited program in the Inland Empire
- No GREs or course prerequisites required
- Clinical Internships local to your geographic location
- Dedicated Director of Clinical Training to support students while completing training
- Embedded curriculum for practice with active-duty military and veterans
- Christian environment emphasizing integrated learning, respect for all persons, and compassionate whole person care
- Curriculum focuses on developing professionalism and 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
Our Program
The Loma Linda University MFT is one of the most well-established programs in the state of California and has the distinction of being COAMFTE-accredited. There is a strong emphasis on whole person care and interdisciplinary learning. A Christ-centered approach is utilized to promote wellness for individuals and families. The program is based on the values of compassion, integrity, excellence, freedom, and justice. There is a low faculty to student ratio, which allows for significant academic and professional mentoring.
The MFT program is unique in that there are multidisciplinary settings available within Loma Linda University for its students. These include the Loma Linda University Medical Center, Children's Hospital, the inpatient Behavioral Medicine Center, and the outpatient Behavioral Health Institute.
Student Story
My time at Loma Linda University has been transformative, and the journey into behavioral health has been challenging in the best of ways. My professors' support allowed me to be vulnerable and grow. I'm grateful for the lasting support, rigorous education, and clinical experience that have shaped my professional path.
Admissions and Application
General Admission Requirements
To be eligible for admission to the Marital and Family Therapy MS program, applicants must have a bachelor's degree with a minimum overall grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 in the last 45 quarter (30 semester) credits from a regionally-accredited institution and meet all other requirements outlined in the University Catalog. In addition, applicants must provide evidence of academic competence, professional comportment, and mature judgment. Individuals whose undergraduate degree is in still progress may be accepted pending satisfactory completion prior to beginning the master’s degree program. Applicants with an undergraduate degree offered in a language other than English must provide TOEFL scores in accordance with university policy.
Application Deadlines
Applicants may apply to begin the online MFT MS program in Fall (September). Application deadlines vary according to the academic calendar and are posted. Applicants should plan on the process taking a minimum of two to three months.
Online Application Process
Applications for admission are completed and submitted online. Applicants are asked to provide current and permanent contact information, academic history, and names of three recommenders.
Letters of Recommendation
On the application form, individuals are asked to list the names, professional positions and e-mail addresses of three individuals who can recommend them for the Marital and Family Therapy MS program. At least two of the recommenders should be current or former professors who know the applicant's academic history, and one of the recommenders can be a current or former employer or supervisor. Recommendations from friends, relatives, or co-workers are not acceptable. When the application is submitted each of these individuals will receive an email with a link to access the recommendation form, which is to be completed and submitted online.
Official Transcripts
All transcripts are required from all colleges/universities attended. Please have your issuing institute send your transcripts electronically to our admissions processing department at [email protected].
Faculty-Applicant Interview
After three recommendations and all official transcripts are received, qualified applicants will be invited to a Zoom interview with faculty. Following that interview, faculty make a recommendation to the Dean regarding acceptance.
Notification of Admissions Decision
Applicants will be notified of the admissions decision within two to three weeks following the interview.
Program Overview and Goals
The MS degree in marital and family therapy is designed to give students an excellent academic and clinical background. It is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) and approved by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. The program prepares students for professional clinical practice working with individuals, couples, and families in a variety of settings. These include, but are not limited to, medical, legal, educational, community mental health, managed care, church settings and private practice.
Education and training are offered with the purpose of preparing students to be effective with a variety of mental health problems such as co-occurring disorders, serious emotional disorders, crisis care, chronic and/or serious mental illness, child and elder abuse, emancipation issues, and complex relational issues. Great care is taken to include training that addresses issues of cross-cultural awareness, diversity, law and ethics, systemic approaches to treatment along with other evidence-based modalities, life-span development, family and community systems, community integration for support and resources, collaborative case coordination, and a focus on elimination of discrimination and stigma of mental illness. Education emphasis includes relational therapy, marriage and couple therapy, and systemic practice.
Cost of Attendance
Marital and Family Therapy (MS Online): View Estimates
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.
Play Therapy or Drug & Alcohol Counseling Certificate
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.
Anti-Discrimination Policy
Loma Linda University's policy on anti-discrimination states the following: The University is committed to equal education and employment opportunities for men and women. While Loma Linda University (LLU) gives preference in its selection processes to students and employees who are aligned with the faith-based mission of the University and the Seventh-day Adventist Church, LLU does not and shall not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, medical condition, physical handicap, mental condition, veteran’s status, or age in the provision of any of its services. In the department of counseling and family sciences, we adhere to this policy and additionally do not discriminate against anyone on the basis of socioeconomic or relationship status.
Accreditation
The MFT programs are accredited in both formats by WSCUC and COAMFTE. Further, the content of the programs meets all requirements stipulated by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences.
COAMFTE Data
For information on our student demographics, as well as student and faculty achievement information, please click here.
Apply Here Questions? Message us!
Applications received by the priority deadline are reviewed first and receive admission responses earlier. Applications received after the priority deadline and before the standard deadline are reviewed as they are submitted and until the program has reached capacity. If you have any questions about when your application might be reviewed, please contact the program director.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost of the program and where can I find this information?
Loma Linda University publishes estimated cost of attendance for both the online Marital and Family Therapy MS program on its official web page. Costs typically include tuition, books and materials, and estimated living expenses, which vary depending on individual circumstances. Students are encouraged to review the department's Tuition and Fees and consult Loma Linda University's Financial Aid office for the most up-to-date estimates.
Is the program hybrid or can I move from the on-campus program to the online program?
No. The Marital and Family Therapy programs are not hybrid. The on-campus MFT MS and the fully online MFT MS are two distinct programs. Students are admitted into a specific format and are not permitted to move freely between the online and on-campus programs. Requests for program changes while enrolled are reviewed and considered on a case-by-case basis.
Are there any grants or scholarships available?
Currently, there are no significant department-wide grants or scholarships that cover full tuition for the MFT MS program. Students commonly apply for third-party or external grants and scholarships. Program leadership shares scholarship and funding opportunities as they arise. Loma Linda University and School of Behavioral Health scholarships may include limited awards such as the Ian and Sherani Chand Award, Global Practice Scholarships, and conference travel funds. Students are strongly encouraged to explore federal and state financial aid options, loan repayment programs, and professional association scholarships.
What is the curriculum for the online MFT MS program?
The online Marital and Family Therapy MS program consists of a comprehensive curriculum designed to meet academic, clinical, and licensure requirements. The curriculum integrates systemic theory, evidence-based clinical practice, ethics, research, and supervised practicum training. The online MFT MS program is 2.5 years full-time. A 3.5-year part-time option is available. The program is on the quarter system. Each quarter is approximately 10–11 weeks.
Curriculum Guides
Are units from another MFT program transferable?
A student who was previously enrolled in another accredited MFT program may be eligible to transfer up to nine (9) academic units into the Loma Linda University MFT MS program. Transfer courses are evaluated by the MFT MS program director to determine whether they meet accreditation and curriculum standards.
Clinical training hours accrued at another institution are not transferable under any circumstances.
How does the Loma Linda University MFT MS program prepare me for licensure as a marriage and family therapist?
Accredited Training and Licensure Eligibility
The Loma Linda University Master of Science in Marital and Family Therapy (MFT)—whether on-campus or online—is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE), the national standard for MFT education in the United States. This accreditation ensures the program's coursework and clinical training meet professional standards required for licensure preparation.
Clinical and Academic Coursework
The MFT MS curriculum consists of 90 quarter units of coursework designed to prepare students for professional clinical practice. It includes theoretical foundations, ethics, systemic practice, and supervised clinical placements (practicum/internships) that fulfill educational and practicum requirements required by licensure boards.
Preparation for California Licensure
Graduates of the MFT MS program are eligible to pursue Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) licensure in California upon completion of the degree and the required post-degree supervised experience as defined by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences.
Supervised Experience (Post-Degree)
After graduating, students must complete required supervised clinical hours (e.g., 3,000 hours in California) under registration as an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT) to qualify for full licensure. The program equips students with the foundational clinical skills needed for this next licensure phase.
Can I use my MFT MS degree for MFT licensure in any state?
Each State Has Its Own Requirements
While the MFT MS degree is accredited and designed to meet California licensure requirements, licensure laws vary by state. Each state has its own rules about acceptable degree content, required supervised hours, exams, and the transferability of out-of-state degrees.
Accreditation Helps but Does Not Guarantee Licensure Everywhere
COAMFTE accreditation does make the degree more broadly recognized and can facilitate licensure eligibility in many states; however, you must verify requirements for the specific state where you intend to practice. Some states may require additional coursework, supervised hours, or exams that differ from California's standards.
Where can I find specific state licensure requirements and the LLU License Disclosure Statement?
Loma Linda University provides a License Disclosure Statement that explains how the MFT program's curriculum relates to state licensure requirements. This includes details on whether the program meets the educational requirements for licensure in specific states and clarifies that licensure is ultimately determined by the licensing board of each state.
For state-by-state information, professional associations like the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) have resources listing licensure boards and requirements by state.