Marriage and Family Therapy (MS) / Divinity (MDiv)
Program Description
School of Psychology, Family, and Community Faculty
School of Psychology, Family, and Community Graduate Programs Website
Seattle Pacific Seminary Faculty
Seattle Pacific Seminary Website
If you sense a call to both ministry and delivery of professional mental health counseling services, consider the dual-degree programs in Seattle Pacific University’s Marriage and Family Therapy program and in the Seattle Pacific Seminary.
By pursuing a dual degree, you will bring together skills and knowledge in both disciplines, enriching your graduate education and your career opportunities. You also will earn two advanced degrees in less time than it would take you to earn the same two degrees separately.
Three years of full-time study allows you to complete the MDiv (Theological Integration) and the Marriage and Family Therapy degree. If you wish to complete the education often required for church ordination, as well as clinical licensure, the Master of Divinity degree can be completed alongside the MS in Marriage and Family Therapy in a four-year sequence.
Find out more about policies related to dual degree programs.
Admission Requirements
To earn the dual degrees, apply to the School of Psychology, Family, and Community, as well as Seattle Pacific Seminary through Graduate Admissions.
Acceptance in one program does not guarantee acceptance in the other. Once you are admitted to both programs, you will receive a specialized program plan.
Application Deadlines
For admission procedures and deadlines for both programs, visit Graduate Admissions.
Contact
- Graduate Admissions
- graduateadmissions@spu.edu
- 206-281-2091 or 800-601-0603
Marriage and Family Therapy (MS)
70 Credits Minimum
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Classes | ||
| MFT 6100 | Social Ecology of Family | 3 |
| MFT 6110 | Human Sexuality | 3 |
| MFT 6200 | History, Systems, and Christian Perspectives | 3 |
| MFT 6210 | Multicultural Issues in Family Therapy | 3 |
| MFT 6220 | Gender Perspectives and Family Therapy | 2 |
| MFT 6300 | Theories of Marriage and Family Therapy I | 3 |
| MFT 6301 | Becoming a Systems Therapist | 3 |
| MFT 6303 | Theories of Marriage and Family Therapy II | 3 |
| MFT 6401 | Group Therapy I | 1 |
| MFT 6402 | Group Therapy II | 2 |
| MFT 6410 | Treatment of Couples | 3 |
| MFT 6600 | Psychopathology and Family Systems | 3 |
| MFT 6610 | Treatment of Abusive Systems | 3 |
| MFT 6620 | Assessment and Testing in Family Therapy | 3 |
| MFT 6630 | Psychopharmacology, Physiology and Medical Issues | 3 |
| MFT 6641 | Treatment of Young Children and their Families | 1 |
| MFT 6642 | Treatment of Adolescents and Families | 1 |
| MFT 6643 | Parenting and the Treatment of Families | 1 |
| MFT 6700 | Graduate Research | 3 |
| MFT 6710 | Graduate Research II | 1 |
| MFT 6810 | Issues, Ethics and Law | 3 |
| MFT 6811 | Ethical Issues and Crisis Intervention | 2 |
| Section Credits Required | 53 | |
| Theory and Elective Classes | ||
| Select four credits of the following: | 4 | |
| Collaboration Practice Roles in Integrated Care | ||
| BPSS Care Collaboration in Medical Family Therapy | ||
| Assessment Tools for Medical Family Therapy | ||
| The Brain-Savvy Therapist | ||
| Grief, Death, and Families | ||
| Spirituality and Health | ||
| Motivational Interviewing for Patient and Family Health | ||
| Trauma Informed Care in Medical Family Therapy | ||
| Specialty Practice in Medical Family Therapy | ||
| Brief Family Therapy | ||
| Experiential Theory and Family Therapy | ||
| Narrative Family Therapy | ||
| Advanced Bowen Theory and Therapy | ||
| Internal Family Systems Therapy | ||
| Adlerian Therapy | ||
| Premarital Education | ||
| Marketing Your Practice to Physicians | ||
| Drama and Expressive Arts in Family Therapy | ||
| Dilemmas in Psychotherapy | ||
| The MFT in Professional/Private Practice | ||
| Seminar in Special Topics | ||
| Section Credits Required | 4 | |
| Practicum Training | ||
| Select 13 credits of the following: | 13 | |
| Clinical Practicum I | ||
| Clinical Practicum II | ||
| Clinical Practicum III | ||
| Clinical Practicum IV | ||
| Clinical Practicum V | ||
| Clinical Practicum VI | ||
| Clinical Practicum VII | ||
| Advanced Clinical Practicum | ||
| Section Credits Required | 13 | |
| Total Credits | 70 | |
Divinity (MDiv)
108 Credits Minimum
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| THEO 6001 | Christian Formation in Discipleship:Acts of Piety | 2 |
| THEO 6002 | Christian Formation in Mission: Acts of Mercy and Justice | 2 |
| THEO 6003 | Integrating Academy, Abbey, and Apostolate | 2 |
| THEO 6010 | Bible I: Interpreting and Teaching Christian Scripture | 3 |
| THEO 6020 | Global Christian Heritage I: AD 100-1453 | 3 |
| THEO 6030 | Theology/Ethics I: Doctrine of God and Environmental Stewardship | 3 |
| THEO 6040 | Bible II: Introduction to the Old Testament | 3 |
| THEO 6050 | Global Christian Heritage II: AD 1454-1900 | 3 |
| THEO 6060 | Theology/Ethics II: Doctrine of Christ and Holistic Discipleship | 3 |
| THEO 6070 | Bible III: Introduction to the New Testament | 3 |
| THEO 6080 | Global Christian Heritage III: AD 1900-Present | 3 |
| THEO 6090 | Theology/Ethics III: Doctrine of the Holy Spirit and the Global Church | 3 |
| Section Credits Required | 33 | |
| Basic Courses 1 | ||
| THEO 6403 | Theology of Christian Worship | 3 |
| THEO 6412 | Leading and Designing Congregational Worship | 3 |
| THEO 6510 | Theology, Race, and Culture | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Reconciliation and Intercultural Studies: Foundations for Leadership | ||
| Reconciliation and Intercultural Studies: Embodiment and Praxis | ||
| Cross Cultural Immersion Experience | ||
| THEO 6610 | Encounter of Christian Faith with Other Faiths | 3 |
| THEO 6720 | Vocational Discernment and Discipleship | 3 |
| THEO 6740 | Preaching I: From Scripture to Sermon | 3 |
| THEO 6540 | Preaching II: Prophetic Proclamation | 3 |
| THEO 6743 | Pastoral Care and Counseling | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Church Administration | ||
| Ministerial Leadership | ||
| Leadership and Team Development | ||
| Section Credits Required | 30 | |
| Basic Course Electives | ||
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| Introduction to Practical Theology | ||
| Foundations of Student and Family Ministry | ||
| The Teaching Ministry of the Church | ||
| Evangelism and Mission | ||
| Christian Social Entrepreneurship and Church Planting | ||
| Section Credits Required | 6 | |
| Contextual Education 2 | ||
| THEO 6940 | Contextual Education Internship 2 | 6 |
| or THEO 6941 | Contextual Education Intensive Internship | |
| Section Credits Required | 6 | |
| Post-Core Scripture Electives | ||
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| Old Testament Exegesis | ||
| New Testament Exegesis | ||
| Biblical Exegesis | ||
| Scripture in Context | ||
| Section Credits Required | 6 | |
| Approved Electives 3 | ||
| Select 24 credits of the following: | 24 | |
| Koine Greek I | ||
| Koine Greek II | ||
| Koine Greek III | ||
| Hebrew I | ||
| Hebrew II | ||
| Hebrew III | ||
| Wesleyan/Methodist Doctrine | ||
| Theological Explorations | ||
| Theology Praxis in Geographical/Historical Context | ||
| Theology, Disability, and the Church | ||
| Gender and Christianity | ||
| Preaching II: Prophetic Proclamation | ||
| Denominational Polity | ||
| Denominational History | ||
| Methodist History [edited] | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Contemporary Topics | ||
| Burning Issues | ||
| Section Credits Required | 24 | |
| Interdisciplinary Electives | ||
| Approved Interdisciplinary Electives 3 | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 108 | |
- 1
THEO 6512 Reconciliation and Intercultural Studies: Foundations for Leadership/THEO 6513 Reconciliation and Intercultural Studies: Embodiment and Praxis counts for Basic or Electives Section.
- 2
Must be repeated to meet credit requirement
- 3
Approved Interdisciplinary Electives available in SPS Student handbook.
Suggested Course Sequence
4-Year Full-Time Example Tracking Sheet
Note: 4 years is the minimum
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Autumn | Credits | |
| THEO 6001 | Christian Formation in Discipleship:Acts of Piety | 2 |
| MFT 6200 | History, Systems, and Christian Perspectives | 3 |
| MFT 6300 | Theories of Marriage and Family Therapy I | 3 |
| MFT 6100 | Social Ecology of Family | 3 |
| THEO 6020 | Global Christian Heritage I: AD 100-1453 | 3 |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Winter | ||
| MFT 6600 | Psychopathology and Family Systems | 3 |
| MFT 6303 | Theories of Marriage and Family Therapy II | 3 |
| MFT 6301 | Becoming a Systems Therapist | 3 |
| THEO 6050 | Global Christian Heritage II: AD 1454-1900 | 3 |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Spring | ||
| MFT 6220 | Gender Perspectives and Family Therapy | 2 |
| MFT 6810 | Issues, Ethics and Law | 3 |
| THEO 6080 | Global Christian Heritage III: AD 1900-Present | 3 |
| Credits | 8 | |
| Summer | ||
| MFT 6641 | Treatment of Young Children and their Families | 1 |
| MFT 6642 | Treatment of Adolescents and Families | 1 |
| MFT 6643 | Parenting and the Treatment of Families | 1 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Autumn | ||
| THEO 6002 | Christian Formation in Mission: Acts of Mercy and Justice | 2 |
| MFT 6610 | Treatment of Abusive Systems | 3 |
| THEO 6030 | Theology/Ethics I: Doctrine of God and Environmental Stewardship | 3 |
| MFT 6811 | Ethical Issues and Crisis Intervention | 2 |
| THEO course 1 | 3 | |
| Credits | 13 | |
| Winter | ||
| MFT 6410 | Treatment of Couples | 3 |
| THEO 6060 | Theology/Ethics II: Doctrine of Christ and Holistic Discipleship | 3 |
| THEO course 2 | 3 | |
| THEO course 3 | 3 | |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Spring | ||
| MFT 6620 | Assessment and Testing in Family Therapy | 3 |
| THEO course 4 | 3 | |
| THEO 6090 | Theology/Ethics III: Doctrine of the Holy Spirit and the Global Church | 3 |
| THEO course 5 | 3 | |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Summer | ||
| MFT 6401 | Group Therapy I | 1 |
| THEO course 6 | 3 | |
| Credits | 4 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Autumn | ||
| MFT 6210 | Multicultural Issues in Family Therapy | 3 |
| THEO course 7 | 3 | |
| THEO 6010 | Bible I: Interpreting and Teaching Christian Scripture | 3 |
| MFT 6933 | Clinical Practicum I | 1 |
| MFT 6630 | Psychopharmacology, Physiology and Medical Issues | 3 |
| Credits | 13 | |
| Winter | ||
| THEO 6040 | Bible II: Introduction to the Old Testament | 3 |
| MFT 6110 | Human Sexuality | 3 |
| THEO course 8 | 3 | |
| MFT 6934 | Clinical Practicum II | 2 |
| Credits | 11 | |
| Spring | ||
| MFT 6935 | Clinical Practicum III | 2 |
| THEO course 9 | 3 | |
| THEO course 10 | 3 | |
| THEO 6070 | Bible III: Introduction to the New Testament | 3 |
| Credits | 11 | |
| Summer | ||
| THEO course (ex. Scripture elective) | 3 | |
| MFT 6936 | Clinical Practicum IV | 2 |
| Credits | 5 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Autumn | ||
| THEO 6003 | Integrating Academy, Abbey, and Apostolate | 2 |
| MFT 6937 | Clinical Practicum V | 2 |
| THEO course (ex. Scripture elective) | 3 | |
| Credits | 7 | |
| Winter | ||
| THEO course 11 | 3 | |
| MFT 6700 | Graduate Research | 3 |
| MFT 6938 | Clinical Practicum VI | 2 |
| Credits | 8 | |
| Spring | ||
| MFT 6939 | Clinical Practicum VII | 2 |
| MFT 6710 | Graduate Research II | 1 |
| MFT 6402 | Group Therapy II | 2 |
| THEO course (ex. THEO Preaching II) | 3 | |
| Credits | 8 | |
| Total Credits | 141 | |
- 1
ex. THEO 6710 Introduction to Practical Theology
- 2
ex. THEO 6512 Reconciliation and Intercultural Studies: Foundations for Leadership
- 3
ex. THEO 6610 Encounter of Christian Faith with Other Faiths
- 4
ex. THEO 6730 Foundations of Student and Family Ministry
- 5
ex. THEO 6403 Theology of Christian Worship
- 6
ex. THEO 6744 Ministerial Leadership
- 7
ex. THEO 6412 Leading and Designing Congregational Worship
- 8
ex. THEO 6720 Vocational Discernment and Discipleship
- 9
ex. THEO 6510 Theology, Race, and Culture
- 10
ex. THEO 6743 Pastoral Care and Counseling
- 11
ex. THEO 6740 Preaching I: From Scripture to Sermon
Notes
Students must also complete 2 additional credits of MFT electives in the quarter(s) of their choosing. Additionally, 6 credits of approved theology electives accepted under the M.Div requirements This example schedule frontloads the MFT coursework in the first year. Students should talk with MFT advisors about reconfiguring their schedule to best fit their situations.
This “example” tracking sheet lists the courses needed to complete both the Master of Divinity (MDiv) degree at Seattle Pacific Seminary and the Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy in the SPU School of Psychology, Family and Community. The quarters, days of the week and times of day that specific courses are offered may, however, vary from year to year. Moreover, students may elect to take a different credit load quarter by quarter than is shown here. Also, students must be accepted into each program separately, and may in some cases begin the second program a year or more later than the first. Accordingly, the actual sequence in which a given student takes the required courses for the two degrees, and the actual “calendar time” it takes that student to complete those two degrees, may vary considerably from this model.
THEO courses are offered as examples of all of the required courses, but listed in parentheses because the quarters in which these courses are schedule vary depending on the year. However, students should assume that the courses listed in parentheses will be offered every other academic year.
But in the dual-degree configuration shown here, a student can complete both degrees by taking, not a minimum of 178 credits of coursework, but as few as 149. 21 of the required credits of interdisciplinary and elective courses for the MDiv can be fulfilled by MFT courses. Furthermore, the MFT Practicum fulfills the MDiv Contextual Education requirement (6 credits), and one THEO elective (THEO 6743 Pastoral Care and Counseling) fulfills a 2-credit MFT elective.