If you believe God is calling you to bring hope, freedom, and identity to a hurting world, our Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy (MAMFT) degree has been designed to prepare you for ministry. Learn how to integrate psychological theories with biblical truths under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Through the MAMFT you will also complete the courses required to prepare you for the national licensure exam administered by the Texas State Board of Examiners of Marriage and Family Therapists. As a licensed, Spirit-led clinician, you will be prepared for private practice, work in hospitals and agencies, and a variety of other counseling careers.
Please Note: The Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy (MAMFT) degree is offered at the Southlake campus and synchronously through remote attendance. Once admitted to The King’s University, MAMFT applicants must complete an interview for acceptance into the MAMFT program. Once approved for the program, students then complete academic advisement and registration with the MAMFT department.
DOWNLOAD A MASTER OF ARTS IN MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPY PROGRAM PDF
Meet the Director
Dr. Mary Dainty, LPC-S, NCC
As the Program Director of our MAMFT Program, I specialize in trauma-informed care and counseling supervision, bringing rich experiences to academia. I believe in the power of divine healing through the counseling process. My approach fosters a clinically supportive learning environment where every student’s journey is guided with compassion.
Why The King's
- Spirit-formed leaders training Spirit-formed leaders. Given that many of our credentialed faculty are actively involved in ministry, their teaching comes from a perspective of applied knowledge.
- Whole-person formation. For us, it’s not just about what you learn, it’s about who you become. We believe your transformation for ministry should include deepening your walk with Jesus.
- Culture of worship and prayer. It could be the prayer room, weekly chapel, a classroom, or just a hallway – wherever it occurs, we live a life of prayer and worship.
- Community of care. Whether you take classes online or on-ground, soul care from faculty, staff, and peers extends from the classroom into your daily life.
- Growth in difference. When you get into a classroom with different generations, ethnicities, experiences, and faith journeys, you grow both personally and spiritually. You maintain your difference, but you grow in unity.
Program Objectives
The Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy degree seeks to:
- Prepare students to ethically counsel individuals, couples, and families from a systemic perspective;
- Equip students with self-awareness, global-awareness, and spiritual-awareness in order to prepare them to become effective clinicians;
- Prepare students to read, interpret, and conduct empirically based research; and
- Provide students with adequate understanding of various aspects of the mental health field including various levels of care.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this degree, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate understanding of professional codes of ethics and legal standards in the field of marriage and family therapy and counseling.
- Conduct thorough intake assessments, including comprehensive family histories and systemic assessments, including DSM diagnosis requirements.
- Demonstrate expertise in specific areas of clinical focus (e.g., couples, family, relationship, individual, group).
- Develop comprehensive and evidence-based treatment plans addressing client needs and goals.
- Demonstrate proficiency in a wide range of counseling skills and interventions.
- Exhibit core counseling attributes such as empathy, genuineness, respect, and cultural competence.
Curriculum
RESEARCH CORE COURSES 15 HOURS
| BIBC 6304 | Research Methods in Counseling | 3 |
| BIBC 6106 | Addictions Counseling | 3 |
| BIBC 7300 | Professional Orientation | 3 |
| BIBC 6305 | Assessment and Treatment | 3 |
| BIBC 5306 | Ethical and Legal Counseling Issues | 3 |
COUNSELING CORE COURSES 18 HOURS
| BIBC 6307 | Psychopathology and DSM-V | 1 |
| BIBC 6302 | Abnormal Behavior: Effects of Trauma and Crisis | 3 |
| BIBC 5313 | Counseling Diverse Populations | 3 |
| BIBC 5315 | Advanced Human Development | 3 |
| BIBC 5317 | Personal and Professional Self-Awareness | 3 |
| BIBC 5309 | Career Counseling | 3 |
SYSTEMIC CORE COURSES 18 HOURS
| BIBC 5316 | Healthy Family Systems | 3 |
| BIBC 5308 | Advanced Systemic Counseling Skills | 3 |
| BIBC 5303 | Advanced Counseling Theories | 3 |
| BIBC 5314 | Advanced Group Counseling | 3 |
| BIBC 5304 | Marriage and Family Therapy I | 3 |
| BIBC 6303 | Marriage and Family Therapy II | 3 |
PRACTICUM 9 HOURS
| BIBC 7302 | Practicum I | 3 |
| BIBC 7303 | Practicum II | 3 |
| BIBC 7304 | Practicum III | 3 |
Is this program accredited?
Our program is accredited by TRACS and ABHE, two Department of Education institutional accrediting agenies. This gives us authorization to prepare students for state licensure and ultimately private practice.
Can I get a license upon completion of this degree?
Yes. Currently we are equipped to prepare students for the Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) licensure with aspirations to prepare students to take the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) exam in the state of Texas only.
How many hours is this program?
60 hours. The state of Texas changed their requirements in 2017, but TKU is ahead of the curve and preparing students to meet future licensure requirements.
What undergraduate programs are accepted?
We will accept any accredited undergraduate program. Note that all application packages submitted for the Master of Arts in of Marriage and Family Therapy will be reviewed and approved by the MAMFT Review Committee prior to the rendering of a final admission decision.
What type of practicum experiences are offered?
TKU has partnerships with local counselors in private practice, hospitals, local church counseling centers, and the department is also open to student-presented practicum opportunities.
What are the class format options?
Currently we have a variety of class options including evening, morning, and hybrid options which meet partially online and partially on-ground (or synchronously remote).
How long will it take to complete this degree?
Attending full-time (three courses a semester), a student can anticipate completing the degree in three years.
What is the integration of Biblical concepts with counseling theory?
The integration of spirituality and counseling concepts is what makes the program at TKU unique. We prepare students to function clinically while allowing them opportunity to learn spiritual concepts all while remaining ethically sound.
Do you have online options for courses?
Our program is considered hybrid. We feel it essential to have contact with the students in the classroom, but we have options allowing the student more flexibility by attending synchronously remote.
Are students permitted to transfer credits into the program?
Students are permitted to enter with up to 12 credits from another accredited program with a 3.0 or higher in those courses. All applications and transfer credits are subject to review by the MAMFT admissions committee.
