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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
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
Course Sequence
Marriage, Couple, & Family Counseling Faculty & Advisors
- Dr. Bita Rivas, LMFT (CA/CO), LPCC (CA), LPC (CO), LAC (CO), NCC, MAC, ACS — Associate Professor, Marriage, Couple, & Family Counseling
- Dr. Ebony M. Williams — Associate Professor, Marriage, Couple, & Family Counseling
- Dr. Kelly King, LPCC, LCMHC (NC), NCC, ACS — Assistant Professor, Marriage, Couple, & Family Counseling