Master of Marriage and Family Therapy (MMFT)

The program follows a cohort system, and all applicants start in the fall and follow a cohort model (cohorts take all courses together). Due to the cohort model, the program does not allow for potential applicants from other programs to take courses. All applicants are expected to apply by the deadline and participate in an interview to be considered for acceptance. For full admission, the applicant must have a Bachelor’s degree with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

An interview is scheduled in the Spring of each year. Upon completion of their admission file, potential applicants will be notified in writing whether or not they are invited to the interview. Following the interview, students will be notified of the application status within two weeks.

Applications for Fall 2025 will be accepted through February 1, 2025.

Admission materials must include:

• A completed online application, including the $40 application fee
• Official transcripts from all colleges attended
• Catalog descriptions of graduate coursework for transfer credit
• CV/Resume
• Three letters of recommendation
• Invited interview with MFT faculty
• *A personal statement
• **A response to the prompt below

*Provide a 1000 word autobiographical statement, answering the following prompts:

• Reasons for wanting to become a marriage and family therapist;
• Reasons for applying to the Converse MMFT program;
• Personal history and how it has led to your decision;
• Professional history and how it has led to your decision;
• Professional goals;
• Personal characteristics that will contribute to your being a good family
  therapist; and
• Response to the Converse University mission statement: The mission of the Master of Marriage and Family Therapy is to train clinically skilled and culturally competent systemic marriage and family therapists who can practice effectively and ethically in a wide variety of settings. We value diversity in our faculty, students, and the client population we serve. Our definition of diversity includes, but is not limited to, the following: race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, socioeconomic status, physical status, and geographical location. We are committed to creating a learning environment in which the accompanying values, beliefs, traditions, and symbols of diverse cultures are respected and cultivated.

**Provide a 750-word response to the following prompt: Define general systems theory and connect your definition to your own family system or a family system showcased in popular media (tv, movies, books, etc.). The purpose of this response is to demonstrate your ability to reflect on a basic tenant of the field of Marriage and Family Therapy and connect the theory to yourself or another family system.

A defining aspect of Converse’s MMFT education is our partnership with EMERGE Family Therapy and Teaching Clinic. During your 15-month practicum, you’ll be able to provide therapy to individuals, couples, and families who present various diagnoses, relational problems, and life challenges.

To successfully complete the practicum, you’ll provide 500 hours of client contact, 250 of which will be relational (e.g., couples therapy or therapy with parents and children) with more than one member of the client system in the therapy session. You’ll also receive 100 hours of supervision from AAMFT Approved Supervisors, 50 of which entail raw data or video/live supervision.

Our partnership with EMERGE is an essential part of the program. Here are some highlights of the partnership:

• A dedicated clinical practicum experience for all Converse MMFT students.
  • Converse utilizes a 6:1 Supervisee, Supervisor ratio to ensure that you are able to be given direct and hands-on supervision from a systemically trained supervisor.
  • This removes the stress from students needing to find their clinical placement site.
• A unique clinical experience working with a small business that holds a special nonprofit tax status but yet operates as a healthcare clinic.
  1. EMERGE offers sliding scale fees, and this allows for a broad spectrum of clients to be seen by students.
• Opportunities to work in the Upstate Community in addition to EMERGE.
  1. Some opportunities our students have had include working with The Prisma Health Psychiatry Program, with schools conducting group and play therapy, and assisting with groups focusing on anger management and life skills.
• Supervision from AAMFT Approved Supervisors.
• Completing clinical work with your community.
  1. Since all Converse students complete their clinical experience at EMERGE, students can build community with other cohort members. This provides a sense of community where no students practice in isolation. To learn more about the support EMERGE provides, watch this video.

Student Handbook

For detailed information about admission and graduation requirements, demographic makeup, campus life, coursework,  learning outcomes, faculty and more, please consult the handbook below.

MMFT Student Handbook

Graduate Achievement Data Table

The summary below from COAMFTE provides student achievement data including graduation rates, national exam pass rates, and job placement rates.

• Converse Main Campus MMFT Graduate Achievement Data
• Converse UCG Branch Campus MMFT Graduate Achievement Data

See comprehensive MMFT tuition and fees here.*

Learn about Financial Aid opportunities.

*Tuition and fees subject to change

What is a marriage and family therapist?

The name is misleading. No, we do not just work with couples and families. We also work with individuals. As a marriage and family therapist (MFT), you are trained as a systemic therapist. For example, when you work with an individual with depression, you help the client understand how their family, workplace, community, and other systems are connected to the depression. To learn more, check out this video from AAMFT, our national organization: click here.

Do I need an undergraduate degree in Psychology?

No, we accept students with all types of undergraduate degrees. When entering our program, we do not assume you will know MFT terms or concepts.

Can I apply to start the program in Spring?

No. We only accept students for the Fall semester. We follow a cohort model, meaning students will enter in the Fall and take each class with their cohort.

Do you offer assistantships?

Yes. A limited number of assistantships are available each year. Students will be notified of these opportunities when they become available.

What type of career can I have with an MMFT?

Our alums work in various settings, including private practice, school-based therapy, group practices, nonprofits, and Ph.D. programs.

How many students are accepted each year?

Each cohort will average about 15 students per campus. We maintain small cohort numbers to ensure each student receives the best training possible.

Can I enroll in the program part-time?

No. As of Fall 2023, the program only offers a full-time program of study.

When are classes held?

Classes are typically held Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. or 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Each class meets once per week. Supervision group times may vary but are typically 1:30 – 3:30 pm.

Can I have a job while in the program?

Yes, and the job needs to be flexible. Many of our students maintain a part-time job while in the program. It is more challenging to do so after you begin seeing clients in the clinic (typically during your second year in the program), but it is still manageable.

Can I take courses at both Spartanburg and Greenville campuses?

No. Once you select a campus, you will complete all courses there.

Do I need to take the GRE?

No. We have dropped the GRE requirement. We viewed it as a financial barrier to potential student success, and in its place, we have added an essay requirement.

Why is it essential that Converse has the only COAMFTE-accredited program in South Carolina?

The most significant benefit of attending a COAMFTE program is the licensure portability. For example, if a student graduates and decides to move to another state, coming from a COAMFTE-accredited program allows that process to occur more smoothly. Additionally, the accreditation process ensures that our students receive the most rigorous and research-informed training possible. Learn more about the benefits of a COAMFTE education here.

Are there research opportunities?

Yes. Core faculty have research agendas and are willing to bring students on as collaborators. The faculty will also work to support student research.

If I am a student in another program, can I take a class at Converse?

No. Due to our cohort model, we only allow inside students to take our courses.

Can I transfer graduate courses from other Universities into the program?

Yes, but it takes work to do so. You can transfer up to 9 credit hours, but the courses must be from another COAMFTE program approved by the Department Chair.

Is there an online option for the program?

No. All coursework is completed at either campus. Sometimes, courses and supervision are held virtually, but this differs from the standard class interface. We are considered a brick-and-mortar program.

Can I work at another agency besides EMERGE to obtain my clinical hours?

No. All students will obtain the majority of their clinical experience at EMERGE Family Therapy Center.

Will I be trained to work with diverse client populations?

Yes. EMERGE offers services to diverse populations, and the program provides externship opportunities to increase student’s experience working with diverse populations. Externship opportunities vary yearly.

The American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) is the national professional organization for marriage and family therapists, and students are urged to become active student members. For more information on AAMFT, please visit their website at www.aamft.org. The curriculum of the Converse University Master of Marriage and Family Therapy program is designed to follow the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) requirements as well as the requirements for Clinical Membership in AAMFT. Every effort is made to ensure that the curriculum follows state licensure requirements in South Carolina for licensure as a marriage and family therapist. However, students are advised to contact the appropriate state licensure board independently for application materials and current curriculum requirements. Application packages for South Carolina are available from the South Carolina Board of Examiners at https://llr.sc.gov/cou/links.aspx. The program is not responsible for changes made in state licensure laws. The licensure process is discussed within several of the MMFT program courses and student advisors are also available for assistance with the application process.

After receiving the Master of Marriage and Family Therapy degree, the student should apply to the state credentialing board for permission to sit for the National MFT Exam. The credentialing body will review the applicant’s coursework. Upon approval by the credentialing body, the student schedules a time to take the exam. Upon passing the exam, the student applies for a provisional license as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapy Intern. After the state licensure board grants this license, the intern begins an internship of no less than two years. During this two-year internship, the intern must provide a minimum of 1350 client contact hours and receive 150 hours of supervision from a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapy Supervisor. Of the 150 hours of supervision, 50 may be group supervision. Upon completing the internship, the intern applies for and is granted full licensure.

Students seeking licensure as an MFT outside of South Carolina are strongly encouraged to consult the following site about requirements for specific states: https://www.aamft.org/AAMFT/Advocacy/State_Resources/MFT_State_Resources.aspx

Read the Master of Marriage and Family Therapy Transgender Affirming Therapy Statement.