Master of Science in Counseling
“Where the Pieces Come Together”
The SMU Advantage:
1 program
+ 3 track options
+ 2 specialization areas
+ Numerous elective courses
= Maximum
Marketability &
Earning Potential
How the SMU Advantage Works
One program, three track options:
 Licensed Professional Counselor
 Marriage & Family Therapist
 School Counselor
Plus two specialization areas:
 Licensed chemical dependency counselor
(LCDC)
 Child & Play counseling
Plus, numerous elective courses, summer
courses at SMU-in-Taos, and study abroad
opportunities
THE
SMU Advantage
allows you to train in multiple
disciplines, all in one location –
usually with no additional
coursework.
The MFT Option
What, Why, Who, How, & Where?
What is Marriage & Family Therapy?
An approach to mental, emotional, and
behavioral health that emphasizes the
importance of relationships to individuals,
couples, families, and larger groups
Individual
Family
Community/Culture
The MFT Difference

MFTs are trained to think systemically –
to see each individual in the context of
group membership & influence (friends,
family, co-workers, culture, etc.)
FAMILY
WORK
ME
What do MFTs do?
Work with individuals, couples, families, &
groups in agency & private practice
settings
 Address mental and behavioral health
issues
 Promote mental, emotional, & relational
functioning

Why Study MFT?
Expanded Treatment Options

Imagine an individual client comes to you
to discuss conduct problems with her
children. As she talks, you realize there
are problems in her marriage that may
create a tense home environment.
Why Study MFT?
Enhanced Expertise
As an MFT, you can:
 Do play therapy with the child
 Conduct parent training with the mother
& father
 Provide couple therapy to the parents
 Work with family subsystems such as
siblings
 Provide family therapy to facilitate whole
family functioning
Why Study MFT?
Expanded Practice Options
Skills to treat individuals, couples, families
& groups
 Competence to work with multiple ages,
backgrounds, and complex problems
involving multiple people
 Ability to offer effective brief therapy
models

Why Study MFT?
Financial Rewards!
Versatility = Marketability
 Avg MFT Salary = $54,936

Avg LPC Salary = $47,350

Avg income dual license w/LMFT = $58,093

Top 10% of LMFT salaries avg $70,830
Sources:
2002 AAMFT Practice Research Survey
Psychotherapy Finances Fee, Practice and Managed Care Survey (2000)
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2009)
Why Study MFT?
A Competitive Edge!
Anticipated 30% occupational growth rate
through 2016 (nationally)
 There are about ¼ as many MFTs as LPCs in
Texas = MFT is less saturated as a field & MFT
skills are in scarce supply when compared to
market demand.
 MFTs can work in agencies, group or private
practice, EAPS, hospitals & medical settings, the
penal system, courts, divorce mediation, and as
business consultants.

Source:
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2009)
Who Should Study MFT?
MFT may be right for you if…
 You think a lot about how families &
other important relationships affect
individual functioning & quality of life
 You are invested in improving
relationships such as couples and parentchild relationships
 You want to work across the lifespan
 You like the idea of helping whole systems
at the same time
How do I Study MFT at SMU?
You have several options to suit your
interests!



LMFT Track – prepares you for LMFT
licensure with room left over for electives
LPC/LMFT Dual Track – prepares you for
dual licensure in 60 hours (no added
coursework)
LMFT Electives – prepare you to think
systemically and work with relational issues
within LPC or School Counselor licensure.
Do I HAVE to study MFT?
Absolutely not!
The MFT option is one of the many
components of the SMU Advantage:
Being able to choose one discipline or
combine multiple disciplines to suit your
interests and career goals.
MFT
LPC
School
Counseling
Can I get help with…
Knowing more about client contact
requirements?
 Identifying good MFT internships?
 Understanding licensure requirements?
YES!
Dr. Keeling is your “go to” source for
all things MFT.

SHAMELESS MFT
PROMOTER!!
Where else can I get information?
AAMFT.org is a great place to start
 Dr. Hal Barkley (Counseling Program
Director)
 Dr. Gay McAlister (Internship Director)
 Your academic advisor
