Application Process

The Medical Family Therapy Program offers both a master's and a doctoral degree program. We offer a master's degree in couple and family therapy and a doctoral degree in medical family therapy. To apply for admission into the medical family therapy degree programs (Ph.D. or M.A.) please proceed to the Office of Admission at Saint Louis University Graduate Admission.

 

Apply to the Program in Three Easy Steps

• To apply for admission into the Medical Family Therapy degree programs (Ph.D. or M.A.) please proceed to the Office of Admission at Saint Louis University Graduate Admission.
• Under "Started your Application?" click the "Log In" link for graduate programs.
• Click "Getting Started" to create your application/applicant account.
• Applications for the M.A. and Ph.D. programs are due Jan. 3, 2023.

You may check the status of your application at any point during the admissions process (including which documents have/have not been uploaded and admission decisions) by using the portal you create to submit the application (your checklist).

Degree-Seeking Application Information 

The department has one admissions review period per year for an expected fall entry term. After an initial screening, applicants may be invited this year for a Zoom interview with the program director, faculty and students.

Admission recommendations are made after the interviews and when all application documents have been received by the Graduate Education Admission Office: transcripts, GRE scores, three letters of recommendation, resume and a professional goal statement. Doctoral applicants are also required to submit a scholarship sample (e.g., thesis, manuscript, journal article). The GRE is not a requirement for the program for incoming 2022-2023 applicants due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Please send your transcripts to:

Transcripts may also be sent electronically  to graduateeducation@slu.edu. Our program office and email cannot accept transcripts.

Application Materials for the M.A. Program:

Complete the SLU Application Online Form

• Transcripts (official copy)
• Copy of resume or CV- Please provide a copy of an updated resume or CV
• Three letters of recommendation from individuals who can speak to your accomplishments and character
• GRE is not required for the application
• Personal Goal Statement: Please answer the following three questions (no more than three double-spaced pages)
  • Why do you want to obtain a degree in medical family therapy?
  • How will this program fit into your future professional goals/vision?
  • What personal aspects make you a good therapist?

 Application Materials for the Ph.D Program:

Complete the SLU Application Online Form

• Transcripts (official copy)
• Copy of resume or CV- Please provide a copy of an updated resume or CV
• Three letters of recommendation from individuals who can speak to your accomplishments and character
• GRE is not required for the application.
• Personal Goal Statement: Please answer the following three questions (no more than three double-spaced pages)
  • Why do you want to obtain a degree in medical family therapy?
  • How will this program fit into your future professional goals/vision?
  • What research and clinical skills would you like to further develop in this program?
  • Writing Sample: Please submit a copy of a writing sample from your master’s program that represent a quality piece of writing (can be a course assignment, article or master’s thesis).

Graduate Assistantships

This program offers graduate assistantships to both Master's and Doctoral students. These positions allow students to gain certain skills in clinical, research, or teaching areas in their training. Prospective students who want to apply for an assistantship must complete the application linked below. 

View the Graduate Assistantship Application

To request additional information, please contact the department at mft@health.slu.edu or call Mary Donjon at 314-977-7108.

Upon admission and prior to beginning clinical training, students are required to have a criminal background check through the University's Office of Clinical Education Compliance.

Transfer Students

Transfer Student Admission - Saint Louis University

The Medical Family Therapy Program allows for students to transfer credits into the program. Courses may not be transferred from an undergraduate program to either the master’s or doctoral program. Please complete the “Petition to Transfer of Graduate Credit” below.

The following criteria are taken into account when determining if outside courses can be transferred into the program:

• Whether the course was taken at a graduate level
• Whether the course was taken from a C.O.A.M.F.T.E.-accredited program
• Whether the transferring course meets the program goals and objective of the course in our program
• Whether the student has earned a sufficient grade in the transferring course

If you are a current student and need to transfer in credit hours taken at another University, please fill out the form linked below. Please make sure you have spoken with your advisor about this prior to petition submission.

Petition for Transfer of Graduate Credit

Recruitment

The program reaches out to prospective students in several ways. Our goal is to attract quality students in both programs that can help achieve the mission, program goals and student learning outcomes of the program. We also want to develop strong clinicians in the M.A. program and research-informed clinicians in the Ph.D. program to contribute knowledge and skills in the field. Faculty and students both take part in yearly recruitment opportunities to talk with prospective students about both programs.

The program also communicates with prospective applicants at several local and national conferences, including:

The American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy Annual Conference

National Council on Family Relations

The Collaborative Family Healthcare Association

Society of Teachers of Family Medicine

Mcnair Scholars