Marriage & Family Therapy Department

We all experience difficult times. Become a force of healing and connection for those in need.

Our Marriage & Family Therapy Department develops compassionate leaders equipped with the tools necessary to make positive impacts on the lives of individuals, couples and families.

With a curriculum centered around mentorship, hands-on learning and professional development, our graduates move on to successful and fulfilling careers.

A therapist works with a family including the mother and young son.

Marriage and Family Therapy (MS)

In Iona's Marriage and Family Therapy (MS) program, you will acquire the skills to help individuals develop better communication skills and build stronger bonds.

You will help families navigate periods of crisis with compassion and success.

Take the next step today in becoming a Marriage & Family Therapist today.

Marriage and Family Therapy (MS)

Dr. Christiana Awosan on NY1

Navigating your relationships as you enter post-pandemic life

In this feature, Program Director Dr. Awosan discusses how the pandemic has affected relationships and what couples can do to improve communication.

Watch Now: Dr. Awosan on NY1

Mission

The mission, goals, and objectives of the master's in MFT are congruent with those of Iona University and are informed by professional marriage and family therapy educational guidelines and core competencies. The Mission Statement of Iona University reads as follows:

(Adopted May 2, 2012)

The mission of the master's program in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) at Iona University is: to prepare entry-level Marriage and Family Therapists through a combination of academic training that is clearly holistic, systemic, and relationally based coupled with varied clinical experiences that enhance the application of systemic theory in clinical practice in diverse community settings. The overall goal is to graduate ethical, competent, caring MFTs who will be able to address complex relational dynamics across the family life cycle and who are committed to working with a multicultural mindset. Our graduates will be prepared to pass the national licensing examination in Marriage and Family Therapy and with additional supervised clinical experience in the community to become Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists.

Student Outcomes

Derived from AAMFT Core Competencies, the AMFTRB Guidelines, and the COAMFTE Professional Marriage and Family Therapy Standards and Educational Guidelines of the COAMFTE and reflecting our unique MFT Program Mission, student learning outcomes include:

To understand and apply relational/systemic clinical knowledge.
To assess problems in human and family development and interaction.
To establish an identity as a professional MFT with an awareness of, and adherence to, AAMFT ethical standards.
To understand theoretical constructs of MFT.
To cultivate an understanding and respect for issues surrounding social justice, and diversity/inclusion.

Definition of Diversity

The MFT Program is committed to the representation of multiple groups in our student body, supervisors, and faculty. This inclusionary mindset embodies all that we do and teach. Special emphasis is placed on ensuring that issues of diversity are central to all aspects of the training environment we provide.