Application Process

The Saint Louis University Medical Family Therapy Program offers both a master's and a doctoral degree program. We offer a master's degree in couples 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 on a rolling basis, where the final deadline for applications is January 3, 2025.
  

Use the portal to submit the application or checklist, or to check the status of your application during the admissions process. This could include checking which documents have been uploaded and admission decisions.

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 for a Zoom interview with the program director, faculty and students.

Admission recommendations are made after the interviews and when the Graduate Education Admission Office has received all application documents: transcripts, two letters of recommendation, resume, writing sample, and a professional goal statement. Doctoral applicants' writing sample must be a scholarship sample (e.g., thesis, manuscript, journal article). The GRE is not a requirement for the program.

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
• Two (2) letters of recommendation from individuals who can speak to your accomplishments and character
• GRE is not required for the application
• Writing sample - undergraduate scholarly paper
• 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
• Two (2) letters of recommendation from individuals who can speak to your accomplishments and character
• GRE is not required for the application.
• Writing Sample: Please submit a copy of a writing sample from your master’s program that represents a quality piece of writing (can be a course assignment, article or master’s thesis).
• 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

Graduate Assistantships

This program offers graduate assistantships to both master's and doctoral students. These positions allow students to gain skills in clinical, research, or teaching areas in their training. Prospective students interested in an assistantship must complete the application below.

Apply for a Graduate Assistantship

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

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

Transfer Students

Learn More About Transfer Student Admission at SLU

The Medical Family Therapy Program allows 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 objectives 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 credit hours taken at another university, please fill out the form linked below. Please ensure you have spoken with your advisor about this before 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 program's mission, goals and student learning outcomes. 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 to the field. Faculty and students participate 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:

• American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy Annual Conference
• National Council on Family Relations
• Collaborative Family Healthcare Association
• Society of Teachers of Family Medicine
• Mcnair Scholars

Webinar for Prospective Applicants

We have a one-hour webinar for both master’s and doctoral students to ask questions in a relaxed setting. The program's faculty and students will share information about the program and offer their insights on family therapy and/or medical family therapy.

Tuesday, Oct. 29

• Master’s applicants: 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. (CST)
• Doctoral applicants: 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. (CST)

Register