Marriage & Family Therapy, M.A.
As Spokane's only M.A. program dedicated solely to marriage and family therapy, Whitworth's Marriage & Family Therapy Program will equip you with the knowledge and skills to help people discover positive change in the midst of their personal struggles – in just 23 months.
- Exceptional job placements and national exam pass rates
- On-site clinical training at Whitworth's Marriage & Family Therapy Center
- Established relationships with off-site community clinical training locations
- Personalized help securing practicum placements, allowing students to focus on their studies
| Degree Snapshot | |
|---|---|
| Credits | 64 |
| Average Completion Time | 23 months, full time 3 years, part time |
| Class Format | In person; daytime and late afternoon classes |
| Cost Per Credit | $690* per credit (financial aid & scholarships available) |
| Application Deadline | Summer Term Start | Apply by Jan. 1 for early consideration All applications should be submitted by Feb. 1. Later applications are considered as program space allows. |
*Tuition for the 2025-26 academic year
Clinical Experience
Clinical training equips you to provide systemic therapy to help individuals, couples, and families reconcile a wide range of issues and move toward wholeness. You'll gain clinical experience at both our on-site Marriage & Family Therapy Center and through local clinics and agencies, working under the close supervision of clinical faculty approved by the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT).
Enhance Your Career Opportunities
Whitworth's Master of Arts in Marriage & Family Therapy Program gives you a strong foundation for licensure as a marriage and family therapist, providing you with the knowledge and experience to work with individuals, couples and families struggling with mental health and relationship issues. Licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFTs) work in agencies and organizations, as well as in independent and private practice. You'll launch your marriage and family therapist career with excellent preparation and practical experience.
"Employment of marriage and family therapists is expected to grow by 22 percent from 2018 to 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations.” – Bureau of Labor Statistics
Cohort Format
The M.A. in Marriage & Family Therapy Program is a 64-credit, full-time day program that begins each June. You'll move through the program with a group of colleagues as a cohort, taking each of the classes together in sequence. This provides an additional support system as you complete the program and can help establish your first network of professional colleagues.
Program Curriculum
During the first two semesters, students will be immersed in full-time coursework that provides an introduction to counseling and a foundation for the treatment of clients in a clinical setting. During the remainder of the program, students will split their time between taking classes and treating clients in both community and on-site clinics. In the final semester, students will complete a comprehensive examination that evaluates the student's mastery of concepts learned throughout the program so you'll be prepared for licensure as a marriage and family therapist.
- Required Core Courses – 18 credits
- Marriage & Family Therapy Courses – 33 credits
- Clinical Experience – 13 credits
For course descriptions and learning outcomes of this major, please view the course catalog.
Program Statistics and Information
- Program Mission, Goals & Student Learning Outcomes
- Student Handbook for Marriage & Family Therapy
- Graduate Achievement Data
| Completion Rates | |
|---|---|
| Completion Rate* | 95 percent |
| On-Time Graduation Rate** | 93 percent |
| Rate of Employment in the Profession*** | 97 percent |
| Pass Rate for Students Attempting the National MFT Exam**** | 100 percent |
*Percent of matriculated students who graduated with a MA in MFT
**Percent of graduates who graduated in the term they intended
***Percent of graduates who were employed after graduation in a position requiring licensure in one of the mental health professions
****Percent of graduates who passed the AMFTRB National MFT Exam on their first attempt
| Student Composition Data | |
|---|---|
| Age | |
| 21-30 | 32 |
| 31-40 | 10 |
| 41-50 | 4 |
| 51-60 | 3 |
| Gender | |
| Male | 11 |
| Female | 38 |
| Ethnicity | |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 2 |
| Hispanic/Latino/Chicano | 5 |
| White/Non-Hispanic | 39 |
| American Indian or Alaska Native | 1 |
| Multiethnic | 1 |
| Declined to Disclose | 1 |
| Faculty & Supervisor Composition Data | |
|---|---|
| Total Faculty/Supervisors | 52 |
| Gender | |
| Male | 11 |
| Female | 41 |
| Ethnicity | |
| Black/African-American | 3 |
| Hispanic/Latino/Chicano | 4 |
| White/Non-Hispanic | 41 |
| American Indian or Alaska Native | 3 |
| Multiethnic | 1 |
Program Core Faculty
Mark Baird, Psy.D., Associate Professor (Program Director)
Mark Baird, Psy.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist and associate professor with over two decades of diverse experience in clinical practice, higher education, military behavioral health leadership and trauma-informed care. A graduate of the Rosemead School of Psychology (Biola University) and a U.S. Army veteran, Baird has served in a range of high-impact roles including chief of the Community Mental Health Center at Fort Irwin and assistant chief of clinical operations for the CSC Behavioral Health Clinic in Iraq. His private practice focuses on individual and relational therapy, psychological assessments and forensic consultation. At Whitworth, he has earned multiple “Most Influential Professor” awards and has served as faculty president. Baird is a published scholar and integrates psychological science with theological insight in both academic and clinical settings.
Education:
- B.A. in Counseling Psychology, San Diego Christian College
- Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology, Biola University
- Post-Doctoral Residency in Clinical Psychology, Madigan Army Medical Center
Stacy Keogh, Ph.D., LMFT, Associate Professor (Associate Program Director)
Stacy Keogh, Ph.D., is a licensed marriage & family therapist, educator, and researcher with a distinctive background in sociology, systems therapy and trauma-informed care. Trained in a wide range of therapeutic modalities – including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Therapy, Bowenian, structural, experiential and narrative therapies – she specializes in attachment-focused approaches such as Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and the Gottman Method (levels I and II). Keogh is also EMDRIA-certified in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). With a doctorate in sociology and a master's in marriage & family therapy, her clinical work is deeply informed by an understanding of how broader cultural, relational and spiritual systems shape personal well-being. As an associate professor, Keogh integrates her therapeutic expertise with academic research on relationships, identity and societal expectations. Passionate about helping others grow in self-awareness and connection, Keogh brings both clinical depth and cultural insight to her work.
Education:
- B.A. in History, George Fox University
- B.A. in Spanish, George Fox University
- M.A. in Marriage & Family Therapy, Whitworth University
- M.A. and Ph.D in Sociology, University of New Mexico
Bornell Nicholson, Ph.D., LMFT, Assistant Professor (Clinical Director)
Bornell Nicholson is a licensed marriage & family therapist and AAMFT-approved supervisor. Nicholson works with individuals, couples, adults and families, with a clinical specialty of working with Black males and couples. He is a Clinical Fellow of the American Association for Marriage & Family Therapy and a trained Prepare/Enrich Facilitator. He is certified in Narrative Focused Trauma Care Level I and domestic violence prevention. Nicholson has taught both at the undergraduate and graduate level. His areas of research include fatherhood, couples and faith integration. Nicholson has also written blogs on couples in conflict and men’s emotional health.
Education:
- B.A. in Psychology, Wheaton College, 2015
- M.A. in Marriage & Family Therapy, Wheaton College, 2017
- Ph.D. in Health & Human Services: Emphasis in Couples and Family Therapy, Kansas State University, 2020
Carrie Killinger, MA, LMFT, Lecturer
Carrie Killinger is a licensed marriage & family therapist, clinical supervisor, and AAMFT-approved supervisor candidate with a strong commitment to trauma-informed care and relational healing. A graduate of Whitworth University's Marriage & Family Therapy Program, Carrie brings both academic and practical expertise to her work with individuals, couples and families. She specializes in evidence-based trauma treatments including Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and Lifespan Integration (level 4). Carrie also integrates Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and the Gottman Method into her work with couples. As the founder of Mountain View Therapy and co-owner of Inland Therapy Collective, she is dedicated to creating safe, compassionate therapeutic spaces that support healing, resilience and connection across the lifespan.
Education:
- B.A. in Social Science, Washington State University, 2010
- M.A. in Marriage & Family Therapy, Whitworth University, 2017
Adjunct Faculty
From time to time, Whitworth hires faculty members from the professional community to teach courses in their areas of expertise. Some of the courses taught by these individuals include Therapy with Children and Their Families, Therapy with Adolescents and Their Families, and Introduction to Chemical Dependency. Most adjunct faculty serve as clinical directors or senior clinicians in such agencies as Lutheran Community Services and Excelsior Youth Center.
Site Supervision
Students in the MFT Program complete their internship through experiences at both the Whitworth MFT Center and clinical sites in the community. Supervision at the Whitworth MFT Center is provided by AAMFT-approved supervisors or supervisors in training. Supervision at community sites is provided by licensed practitioners. When possible, Whitworth attempts to match students with sites supervised by licensed MFTs. When that is not possible, supervisors licensed as mental health counselors or social workers are used.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to have a bachelor's degree in a specific area to be accepted into the program?
There is no required major for those entering the MFT Program. Prior to admission all students must have completed a course in both abnormal psychology and statistics.
When does the program begin and end?
The MFT Program begins in June and ends 23 months later.
When are applications due?
For early consideration, complete applications to Whitworth's master's in counseling and therapy programs should be submitted no later than Jan. 1. All other applications should be submitted by Feb. 1. Interviews for the program will be offered in February and March; admission decisions will be made in late March. If space allows, strong applications may be considered after this time.
Do I need to take the GRE?
We do not require GRE scores for admission for students with an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher. If you have an undergraduate GPA below 3.0, you will need to submit official GRE scores or provide an analytical essay.
Can I transfer coursework from a different program?
Up to six credits of approved coursework may be transferred. In the instance that a previously completed course is the same in content and structure, students may petition to be excused from the course at Whitworth.
What kinds of employment opportunities can I anticipate once I graduate?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the job outlook for marriage and family therapist careers is expected to grow much faster through 2020 than the average for all occupations. In fact, BLS estimated that from 2010-20 there will be a 41 percent increase in positions for marriage and family therapists.
What is a typical class schedule?
Classes are scheduled for any combination of days between Monday and Thursday. Students will be meeting with clients in the evenings during their practicum and internship.
Is there a part-time option?
Students can take coursework part time. However, students should be prepared to transition to full-time status when they begin their clinical obligations.