Marriage, Couple, & Family Counseling

Why Marriage, Couple, & Family Counseling at Sac State?

The Marriage, Couple, & Family Counseling specialization prepares counselors to work systemically and relationally with individuals, couples, families, children, adolescents, and other relational systems. Training emphasizes the ways relationships, families, developmental experiences, culture, and broader systems influence mental health and well-being.

Students develop competencies in individual, couple, and family counseling; relational and systemic case conceptualization; assessment; diagnosis and treatment planning; developmentally responsive and culturally sustaining practice; ethics; advocacy; and evidence-informed counseling interventions.

Graduates may work in settings such as community mental health and behavioral health agencies, nonprofit organizations, hospitals, county and state agencies, and private practice. Sacramento State's catalog specifically identifies preparation to provide psychotherapy and mental health treatment to individuals, children, adolescents, couples, and families.

Licensure & Professional Credentials

The Marriage, Couple, & Family Counseling course of study has been evaluated to meet the educational requirements for both California licensure pathways:

Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC)
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)

The Sacramento State Academic Catalog states that the 60-unit degree meets the educational requirements for graduates to pursue dual licensure as an LMFT and LPCC in California and that the curriculum has been evaluated by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences for both pathways.

Graduates may also pursue voluntary national professional credentials, such as the National Certified Counselor (NCC), subject to the eligibility requirements established by the credentialing organization. Professional certifications are distinct from state licensure and do not independently authorize professional practice in California.

CACREP Accreditation

Sacramento State's Marriage, Couple, & Family Counseling specialization is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). CACREP currently lists the specialization as accredited through March 31, 2029.

CACREP Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling Program Listing

How to Apply

Annual Application Process

Key Dates for 2026-2027 Admission Cycle (Fall 2027 start date) - for more details, see our Application Timeline page of our website.


September 24, 2026	Information Night (4-6pm via Zoom)
September 28, 2026	Counseling Ambassadors begin their availability for meetings
October 1, 2026	Applications open on Cal State Apply website -We suggest immediately starting the recommendation form process in October
December 1, 2026	*Recommended Deadline for Applicants with Foreign Transcripts (Study Abroad, Foreign Degrees) to work with OGS* - see the “Applicants with Foreign Documents” page on the OGS website.
January 8, 2027	*Priority Deadline* - Application due through Cal State Apply by 9pm PST (including ALL supplemental materials and ALL completed recommendations -- applications must be complete to be considered for the priority deadline)
January 15, 2027 (9pm PST)	*General & Final Deadline* - Application due through Cal State Apply by 9pm PST (including ALL supplemental materials and ALL completed recommendations) No incomplete or late applications will be reviewed for admission. Due to university policy, no exceptions for late admissions can be made. There are no early or rolling decisions available.
January 19-28, 2027	Faculty review of applicant materials (primary screening)
January 29, 2027	Invitations sent to select applicants for Interview Day Event. See the Interview Day section of our Admissions timeline page for more details.
February 12, 2027	Interview Day Event (SAVE THE DATE - in-person secondary screening; no alternative dates or format; more information below)
March 15, 2027	Professional Clinical Counseling Program decision recommendations finalized: - Decision recommendations sent to Office of Graduate Studies for final approval - Applicants notified of Program's recommended decision
March - May 2027	Office of Graduate Studies (OGS) decisions finalized: - Students notified of official decision by OGS - Students must submit their Intent to Enroll with OGS within two weeks of OGS admissions offer – check your email for emails from OGS and Student Center.

Degree Requirements & Course Information

The Sacramento State Academic Catalog provides the official degree requirements for the 60-unit M.S. in Counseling, Marriage, Couple, & Family Counseling, including the counseling core, specialization coursework, counseling skills training, practicum, internship, and culminating experience.

Sacramento State Catalog — M.S. in Counseling, Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling

Application Instructions

Frequently Asked Questions

Course Sequence