Departmental Career Overview
Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) is a distinct mental health profession with its own history, theories, treatment models, code of ethics, professional organizations and journals. Marriage and family therapists (MFTs) operate under the premise that human behavior occurs within family, social, cultural, and relational contexts. Recognizing that relationships, cultural influences, familial, and relational contexts influence functioning, MFTs work with individuals, couples, families, community groups, and organizations, providing treatment for a wide range of psychological, emotional, and relational problems. According to U.S. News and World Report Best Jobs rankings, the Marriage and Family Therapy profession is ranked the 6th best social service job (median pay $56,570) and the profession is expected to grow 22.3 percent through 2028.
General Career Assistance
As one of the oldest accredited MFT programs in the country, SCSU’s MFT program has a longstanding, well-regarded reputation within Connecticut. With a job placement rate of over 95 percent, employment opportunities are fostered via alumni networking and email postings sent to recent graduates.
Internship and Experiential Learning Opportunities
Clinical Training - An 18-month practicum/internship sequence is embedded within the MFT curriculum. During this sequence, students progress from "mock" sessions to paying clients within the program’s on-site Family Clinic. Clinic cases are observed by peers and MFT faculty via a one-way mirror for immediate supervision and feedback to foster professional development. In addition to clinical training at the onsite clinic, students also complete a 12-month offsite placement, where they provide individual, couple, group and family therapy. Placements are diverse and may be chosen to align with student interest areas.
Independent Study, Faculty and Student Research – When student and faculty interests align, SCSU students have the opportunity to develop new knowledge and scholarly inquiries within a topical area of their choice under the guidance and supervision of faculty members.
Success Stories of Recent Graduates
Graduates of the MFT Program go on to work part-time or full-time, or to doctoral studies after graduation. Some recent graduates are employed and practicing as:
- Outpatient mental health & substance abuse clinician – Yale University, New Haven, Conn.
- In-home services ICAPSS clinician – Wheeler Clinic, Plainville, Conn.
- Private practice clinician – numerous and nationwide
- Clinical Supervisor of Youth Services Bureau – Haddam/Killingworth, Conn.
- Admission to Adler University’s doctoral program in Couple and Family Therapy
Family Therapists Lead Job Growth
Mental Health Counselors has a Bright Outlook - National Center for O*NET Development.