Healing Through the Power of Art

Train to provide art therapy for individuals, families, and communities.

Block letters spelling the word art

MAMFT in Marriage and Family Therapy

An MA in Marriage and Family Therapy (MAMFT) from Dominican University of California helps students learn through practical experience and hands-on training guided by credentialed faculty. Our master's program is a clinical licensure course of study preparing students to apply for a Licensed Practical Clinical Counselors (LPCC) as registered Art Therapists (ATR).

Program Highlights

  • A vibrant alumni network and connections with organizations such as the American Art Therapy Association (AATA), California Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (CAMFT), and the Art Therapy Credentials Board (ATCB).
  • Small class sizes and individual faculty advising prepare students for successful careers.
  • Advisory Council of Agency Supervisors for practicum training.
  • Option to join the Graduate Art Therapy Student Art Therapy Association.
  • Gain a deeper knowledge of the integration of science and art in three years.

The graduate Art Therapy Programs offer robust education with a special emphasis on clinical practicum, art-based research, cultural humility, and international art therapy.

Gigi Gokcek, Dean, School of Liberal Arts and Education

Meet Your Counselor

Your admissions counselor is ready to help you! Fill out the form and they will connect with you shortly.

Deepa Raghupathy headshot
Deepa Raghupathy deepa.raghupathy@dominican.edu
(415) 458-3748

Marriage and Family Therapy Program admission requirements: 

  • A bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution in art, psychology, or behavioral science is preferred.
  • Eighteen semester units (or 27 quarter units), in two- and three-dimensional studio art and design in a range of media, with at least three semester units in drawing, three semester units in painting, and three semester units in clay.
  • A minimum of 12 semester units or 18 quarter units of study in psychology. Required classes are three units in each of the following: general psychology, lifespan developmental psychology (birth to death), abnormal psychology, and personality theory. A cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or better on a 4.0 scale.
  • Two professional or academic recommendation letters.
  • A letter of intent regarding your interest in the profession of art therapy (three to four pages).
  • A portfolio of 12 color images of personal artwork representing a range of media. Portfolios may be submitted online with JPEG or PowerPoint images.
  • In-person or online interview.

Please note: Criminal background checks, or information relating to a student’s criminal background, are not used as part of the admissions process at Dominican University of California (DUOC). Students should be aware that some programs train students to sit for the State of California or national licensure and certification examinations that qualify them to work in the field relating to their program of choice.

The following programs constitute a list of 2021/2022 DUOC programs that train for licensure or certification: Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Physicians Assistants, Counseling Psychology, Art Therapy (Marriage & Family Therapy), and Education. 

Students with questions relating to criminal background requirements, who wish to enroll in these programs at DUOC should speak to an Academic Advisor and reference the specific qualifications for degree completion, and license or certification. 

2026-2027 Tuition and Fees

Application DeadlinesTuition Rate Per Unit*UnitsFormat and Length
Fall: June 1
Spring: Dec. 1

$1,094

View Tuition and Financial Aid Information for details.

63 

In-person
36 months (full time).

Part-time options also available.

Scholarships

Scholarships and grants are types of aid that do not have to be repaid and that can help to directly reduce your tuition expenses. Contact your admissions counselor for more information. 

*Tuition and fees are set by the Dominican University of California Board of Trustees and may change at any time. Subsequent year calculations reflect a projected 3% annual increase.

Below you will find some of the courses you would be taking as an Art Therapy Psychology student:

  • History and Foundations of Art Therapy
  • Communication and Counseling Skills
  • Advanced Human Development
  • Methods of Group and Family Therapy
  • Principles of Marriage and Family Therapy
  • Psychopathology
  • Substance Abuse: Theory, Treatment and Assessment
  • Cross Cultural Issues
  • Human Sexuality
  • Psychopharmacology
  • Professional Ethics and Law
  • Child Abuse
  • Domestic Violence: Assessment and Treatment
  • Eldercare in the 21st Century
  • Art Therapy Techniques: Group Experience, Special Populations, Integrating Creative Arts
  • Metaphors in Psychopathology: Children, Adolescents, Adults
  • Research: Thesis Completion

Fill out this form and a counselor will be in touch soon!

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