How to Apply
To apply to the MS in Counseling Psychology (MFT) graduate program, please submit your application materials using our application portal.
Fall 2025 application cycle is now closed!
- The Fall 2026 application will open in August.
- Priority Deadline: January 15, 2026
Note: All Psychology programs begin in the fall semester only.
Starting Your Application
An admission advisement appointment is optional but recommended for domestic applicants.
International applicants are required to have an application advisement appointment. Schedule your appointment here.
- Start your online application
- The Test Scores section of the application is optional
- Recommendation Forms (2)
- List recommenders name and contact information on the Recommender page of your online application. Recommendations should come from recommenders who know you professionally, academically, or in related volunteer experience that are ideally in supervisory roles and not personal relationships (e.g. friends, family members, therapists, etc.). Cal Lutheran will send the required form to your recommenders.There is a space at the end of the form for your recommender to upload their Recommendation Letter. You do not need to wait for your recommenders to send in their recommendations to continue with your application
- Complete the rest of the application, sign, and submit.
- Official transcripts from all regionally accredited 4-year colleges and universities
attended and any graduate work. Official transcripts must be ordered and sent directly
to Cal Lutheran via certified e-transcript or mail. We recommend e-transcript if available at your institution.
By email: By mail:
If a selection list is available please choose: California Lutheran University
California Lutheran University 60 W. Olsen Road, #2200
or use the following email address Thousand Oaks, CA 91360-2700
for direct entry: clugrad@CalLutheran.edu- Official transcripts from college/university where prerequisite courses were completed must also be sent
- International applicants are required to submit a sealed evaluated transcript from an approved evaluation agency.
Finalizing Your Application
After submission of your completed application, go to your Application Portal where you can upload or fill out the remaining application materials. Use the Upload Materials box to select the document you would like to attach.
- Personal statement
- Please include 3-5 double-spaced, typewritten pages covering significant influences and events which have developed your present values and approach to life. Include ways in which these factors may contribute to the preparation for a psychology profession. Also, include your personal interests and goals and your professional objectives as they relate to Marriage and Family Therapy.
- Pre-Requisite Requirement Form
- The form can be accessed through the application status page. Applicants are required to have at least 3 credits of statistics with a grade of B- or better, and an additional 9 credits of undergraduate or graduate level psychology courses with a grade of B- or better required. Courses must have been completed within the last 7 years (fall 2018 or later for application to fall 2025). Exceptions to the 7-year requirement can be made upon review of the application and the education/work history of the applicant. If any pre-req courses are from a community college, the official transcripts must also be submitted.
- Resume or CV
- Submit the non-refundable application fee
GRE scores are not required.
Application Timeline
The MFT application for Fall 2025 opens on August 1, 2024
Priority Deadline Applicants
- Priority Deadline: Jan 15, 2025
- Review Period Jan-Feb
- Priority Interviews* are typically held in February
- Decisions are released in late February/early March
- The deposit deadline for admits is March 15th
Post-Priority Deadline Applicants
- Review Period Feb-March
- Interviews* are typically held in March
- Interviews* may be on a space-available basis for top candidates.
- Decisions are released 2-3 weeks after the interview
- The deposit deadline for any post-priority deadline admits is 2 weeks after being admitted.
*To help you gain a comprehensive understanding of our MFT program, we require in-person interviews for those invited for an interview. Interview Day gives you the opportunity to explore our Oxnard campus, connect with the dean, the director of clinical training, faculty, and staff, and experience our community firsthand. You'll also take part in two student panels, where you can ask candid questions about the program and the transition to graduate school. This personal approach allows us to guide you through the application process, ensuring you feel supported every step of the way. Applicants invited for interview that live out of the state or country will have the option for a virtual interview.
Applying as an International Student
In addition to the application requirements stated previously, International Students are required to provide the following:
- Official transcripts and degree certificates or certified true copies in English of all college and university records sent directly from each institution to CLU
- Students are required to complete an official transcript evaluation stating their degree is equivalent to a US bachelor’s degree. The evaluation must include GPA equivalence and course-by-course listing, done by a NACES member company. CLU recommends two providers who have offered CLU applicants a streamlined process for obtaining an evaluation. These are IEE and SpanTran.
- Language Proficiency
- Minimum acceptable scores for: Duolingo English Test score: 120; TOEFL score: 88; IELTS score: 6.5; Pearson’s (PTE Academic) score: 58; Completion of ELS 112
- Applicants who earn a bachelor's degree in an English-speaking country may have the proof of English proficiency requirement waived on a case-by-case basis. Please contact International Admission for more information: intladmission@CalLutheran.edu.
- Financial Responsibility Statement or Official Bank Statement
- Copy of Passport