Marriage, Couple & Family Therapy
Family therapy is a distinct profession with its own history, theories, models, professional organizations and journals. Family therapists are generalists in that we typically treat a wide variety of psychological, emotional, and relational problems. We share the premise that human behavior occurs within family, social, and cultural contexts. We work with individuals, couples, families, and community groups.
Application Requirements and Deadlines Request Info Apply
Seeking Our Next MCFT Cohort!
The Marriage, Couple, & Family Therapy program is looking for a group of students committed to social equity in the practice of family therapy. We value bringing together therapists-in-training who have a wide variety of experiences in order to learn from each other. We are looking for a rich mix of students who are open to exploring the impact of their own societal context on their future work. We invite applicants from all social classes, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, nations of origin, ages, religions, and abilities to apply.
Students in the Marriage, Couple, and Family Therapy program draw on knowledge from many different disciplines and experiences. Though most applicants hold degrees in psychology, family and human development, or related fields, applicants with other backgrounds will be considered. Applicants who do not have at least 12 semester units of prior coursework related to human behavior may be required to add additional courses to their program of study.
Why MCFT at Lewis & Clark?
Watch the video below to hear why from three current students.
Accreditation
The Marriage, Couple, and Family Therapy Program at Lewis & Clark College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT), 112 S. Alfred Street, Alexandria, VA 22314, (703) 838-9808. As part of the accreditation process, the program regularly reviews program outcomes and student achievement.
Prepared for LMFT Licensure
Graduates of the MCFT program meet the educational and clinical practice requirements to become registered interns with the Oregon Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists (OBLPCT). They are also eligible for full licensure as Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT) in the state of Oregon after they have completed a minimum of two years, full-time supervised post-master’s experience, 2400 hours of clinical practice, and a passing score on the national licensing exam. Full state licensure requirements may be found on OBLPCT’s website: http://www.oregon.gov/OBLPCT.
Completion of the MCFT program also makes students eligible to apply for appropriate licenses in other states in the United States. Please visit the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (www.aamft.org) for a list of licensing requirements by state.
Graduate Achievement Data
The MCFT program at Lewis & Clark is designed to prepare graduates for employment as marriage and family therapists working with individuals, couples, families, and groups from a systemic perspective.
Graduation and Completion Data
Each year approximately 45 students begin the 3-year, full time program. The table below shows what percentage of these students graduate and obtain employment in the field.
COAMFTE Graduate Achievement Data Table
Date of Initial COAMFTE Accreditation: 12/18/2008
Advertised Program Length: 3 Years
| Cohort Year Students Entered Program | # of Students in Program | Graduation Rate in Advertised Time (%) | Job Placement Rate (%) | Licensure Rate (%) |
| 2015-2016 | 37 | 84% | 96% | 100% |
| 2016-2017 | 37 | 78% | 92% | 97% |
| 2017-2018 | 28 | 82% | 100% | 87% |
| 2018-2019 | 42 | 88% | 100% | 97% |
| 2019-2020 | 29 | 88% | 95% | 96% |
| 2020-2021 | 45 | 80% | 95% | 97% |
| 2021-2022 | 47 | In process | In process | In process |
| 2022-2023 | 43 | In process | In process | In process |