Marriage and Family Counseling/Therapy
The Master of Marriage and Family Counseling/Therapy is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). This program prepares students for licensure as professional counselor (LPC-MHSP) and/or marriage and family therapist (LMFT) in Tennessee.
Program Benefits
- Complete your program with a supportive cohort of students who are working toward similar goals.
- Enjoy the collaborative learning environments made possible by our small class sizes.
- Learn from faculty who possess the highest degrees in their fields and have relevant and valuable real-world experience.
- Graduate from a seasoned program with a strong reputation across Middle Tennessee.
What to Expect
Whether your career goals include starting your own private practice, serving in an agency or counseling center, or leading as a counseling administrator, Trevecca’s Master of Marriage and Family Counseling/Therapy can help you reach your goals. Our 60-hour program focuses on the development of your professional counselor identity. In the face-to-face class format, you’ll build a network of strong relationships with our faculty and other students that extends beyond graduation. As a student in this program, you’ll also have the opportunity to complete an internship at one of our 60+ associated agencies or centers, providing you with hands-on learning and real-time application in the field.
Why Choose Trevecca?
Founded in 1901 and a leader in online education for more than two decades, Trevecca helps students discover and pursue an individual calling by providing innovative instruction; cultivating a supportive, Christ-centered community; and establishing relationships that open doors.
Recognized nationally and locally for academic quality, Trevecca has earned a reputation for providing the world with servant leaders, problem solvers and difference makers. Trevecca’s holistic approach to education encompasses intellectual, social, emotional, physical and spiritual growth.

Course Descriptions
Get details on all the courses you’ll complete as you work toward this degree at Trevecca.
Read MoreHere’s a look at the approximate tuition rates you could expect for this program at Trevecca, including the cost per credit hour and the total tuition expense for the full degree program. Please note that rates and fees are subject to change.
Here’s a look at the approximate tuition rates you could expect for this program at Trevecca, including the cost per credit hour and the total tuition expense for the full degree program. Please note that rates and fees are subject to change.
Cost/Credit Hour$706 |
Hours60 |
Tuition Cost*$42,360 |
*Practicum/Internship (Tevera): $200
*Practicum Extension Fee: $250
*Student Resource Fee: $150/course
*Additional fees for textbooks and required materials
- Admissions
- Resources
Application Information
- Cycles of new students begin three times during the year: fall, spring, and summer.
- Fall semester, apply by June 1, two new groups are taken (a Tuesday class schedule and a Saturday class schedule)
- Spring semester, apply by October 1, one new group is taken (a Saturday class schedule)
- Summer semester, apply February 15, one new group is taken (a Thursday class schedule)
- Applicants are encouraged to meet semester deadline requirements.
Minimum requirements: 2.7 GPA and 380 MAT/290 GRE. If an applicant is below the minimum for one of the requirements, s/he may be considered under our conditional admission policy.
Application Documents
Fill out online application
Reference Assessment Form (2 required)
MAT/GRE Information
Immunization Information
Application Checklist
- Complete the online application (it's free!).
Need help applying? Read the step-by-step instructions here! - Official transcript must be submitted directly to SGCS Admissions.
Trevecca Nazarene University
Attn: SGCS Admissions
333 Murfreesboro Pike
Nashville, TN 37210
FAX to 1-888-517-0123
EMAIL to SGCSAdmissions@trevecca.edu - Miller Analogies test score report (MAT) OR Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score report.
- Two (2) completed reference assessment forms (available here) must be professional and/or academic. Applicants will need to send reference form link to their recommenders.
Admission Deadlines (per semester)
- Fall: June 1
- Spring: October 1
- Summer: February 15
- All completed application items must be received by the deadline in order to be considered for the next step in the application process.
Have questions? Contact the enrollment counselor with your questions at hambrefe@trevecca.edu or 615-248-1546.
Course Descriptions
Get details on all the courses you’ll complete as you work toward this degree at Trevecca.
Helping Relationships
CSL 5260
Lifespan Development
CSL 5220
Looks at the survey of research throughout the entire lifespan including findings in the areas of physical, emotional, cognitive, and interpersonal growth and development.
Group Therapy and Process
CSL 5430
Examines group techniques and application to counseling settings. Various ethnic and socioeconomic groups will be emphasized.
Advanced Abnormal Psychology
CSL 5240
This course is designed to provide an understanding of patterns of abnormal behavior including anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, and personality disorders. This course covers the domains of psychopathology as it is represented in the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.
Counseling Diverse Populations
CSL 5250
An overview of counseling strategies useful with varied populations. Counseling skills helpful with clients of different racial, economic, religious, and sexual orientations will also be examined.
Ethical Standards and Legal Issues
CSL 5472
Emphasizes the development, understanding, and application of ethical standards in the theory and practice of counseling and psychotherapy. The Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice of the American Counseling Association (ACA) and the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) will be studied along with other professional standards of practice and credentialing. There will also be a focus on state rules and regulations and licensure requirements for LPC-MHSPs and LMFTs.
Introduction to Psychological Research
CSL 5100
Designed to give an introduction to research strategies with an emphasis on counseling and psychological problems. Emphasis will be on the development of a proposal for a major research project or thesis.
Introduction to Psychological Testing
CSL 5441
An overview of test construction, selection, and application will be the focus of this course. Legal and ethical administration of tests for ability, intelligence, attitudes, values and personality will also be examined. Experience in taking and administering sample instruments will be provided.
Career Counseling and Professional Development
CSL 5230
Marital Therapy I
MFC 5700
Students will be presented with a variety of systems therapy models specifically applied to the marital relationship. Students will demonstrate the ability to conceptualize issues, develop treatment plans, and intervene in couple relationships based on both an understanding of diverse theoretical orientations and equally diverse couple problem presentations. This conceptualization will flow from an understanding of theories including but not limited to structural, trans-generational, attachment, and affect regulation models. Cohesive therapy experiences will be shared, evaluated, demonstrated, and practiced both in the classroom and in a practicum setting. Students will be expected to initiate a practicum experience that will continue into the next course, MFC 5710 Marital Therapy II. All totaled the practicum for the two-course marital therapy sequence will be 100 hours with 45 of the 100 hours being in direct client contact (group therapy, co-therapy, client intakes, marital couple therapy, etc.).
Marital Therapy II
MFC 5710
A continuation of MFC 5700 Marital Therapy I. Students will be presented with additional systems therapy models specifically applied to the marital relationship. The ability to conceptualize issues, develop treatment plans, and intervene in couple relationships based on both an understanding of diverse theoretical orientations and equally diverse couple problem presentations will continue to be the focus. This conceptualization will flow from an understanding of theories including but not limited to structural, trans-generational, attachment, and affect regulation models. Skill demonstration, in both classroom and practicum activities, will continue culminating with each student demonstrating competency in a chosen therapy model consistent with the goals and purposes of this program. By the end of this course the students will have completed a 100 hour practicum (in association with the previous course, MFC 5700 Marital Therapy I) of which 45 of the 100 hours will have been in direct client contact (group therapy, co-therapy, client intakes, marital couple therapy, etc.).
Marital LifeCycle
MFC 5511/CSL 5200
With the marital life-cycle as a structure, this course will examine the marital relationship as an interactive and changing system. Particular attention will be given to the predictable challenges presented to couples in the form of demands for adaptation, the identified characteristics of marital health, and various changes experienced in both the institution of marriage and spousal roles during the past few decades.
Systems Theory and Family Therapy
MFC 5200/CSL 5200
Introduces the theory and basic underlying assumptions of a systems framework to marriage and family therapy. The emphasis is on identifying the characteristics of healthy family functioning and conceptualizing human problems as they are related to the functioning of systems.
Divorce and Divorce Adjustment
MFC 5510/CSL 5510
A study of the contemporary family through the avenue of the divorce experience. The primary concern will be an understanding of the cultural influences that fostered a rise in the divorce rate, the changes that this phenomenon has precipitated in American society, the impact of divorce upon the entire family unit, and the adjustments required for healthy family functioning.
Marital Therapy: Crisis Situations and Sexuality
MFC 5400
Designed to give attention to the special problems presented by (1) crisis situations and (2) sexuality. Regarding crisis presentations, common marital presentations will be studied (abusive relationships, marital separation, infidelity, etc.) with attention given to both recognition and appropriate intervention strategies. Regarding sexuality, healthy and problematic areas of sexual functioning will be studied with special attention given to assessment and diagnostic skills for identifying sexual dysfunction and correspondingly appropriate treatment regimens.
The Child in the Family System
MFC 5512/CSL 5512
Designed to review theories and research in child development by identifying normal and anticipated behavior from birth through adolescence within the family context. The ability to recognize what constitutes deviations from the anticipated behavior will also be identified with practical suggestions for intervention.
Family Therapy
MFC 5351
Introduces the understanding and practicing of family therapy. Focus will be on developing both diagnostic and intervention skills in regards to treating problems within the context of the family. Special attention will be given to differentiating between various approaches within the purview of family systems theory.
Internship in Marriage and Family Therapy I
MFC 5457
Provides supervised experience in the practice of marriage and family therapy in an appropriate clinical setting (usually a mental health center or community agency). Activities will include face-to-face contact with individuals, couples, and families for the purpose of assessment, diagnosis, and treatment. Students will spend a minimum of 200 hours on site under appropriate supervision of which 85 of the 200 hours must be in direct client contact (internship fee). Under certain circumstances internship may be extended.*
Internship in Marriage and Family Therapy II
MFC 5458
To be taken in consecutive sequence with MFC 5457 "Internship in Marriage and Family Therapy I" and preferably at the same site, the course provides a continued supervised experience in the practice of marriage and family therapy in an appropriate clinical setting (usually a mental health center or community agency). Activities will include face-to-face contact with individuals, couples, and families for the purpose of assessment, diagnosis, and treatment. Student will spend a minimum of 200 hours on site under appropriate supervision of which 85 of the 200 hours must be in direct client contact (internship fee). Under certain circumstances internship may be extended.*
Internship in Marriage and Family Therapy III
MFC 5600
Provides a supervised experience in the practice of marriage and family therapy in an appropriate clinical setting (usually a mental health center or community agency). Activities will include face-to-face contact with individuals, couples, and families for the purpose of assessment, diagnosis, and treatment. Students will spend a minimum of 200 hours on site under appropriate supervision of which 85 of the 200 hours must be in direct client contact (internship fee). Under certain circumstances internship may be extended.*
*Nine (9) hours of transfer credit is allowed.
*For a complete list of courses, tracks and other relevant information, view the program's course catalog.
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