Family Therapy & Social Work
Department of Marriage and Family Studies
At Abilene Christian University, we want to empower you to make a difference with a graduate-level education that will help you combat the forces working against families and help you rebuild healthy relationships. Our Master of Marriage and Family Therapy program prepares you for Christian service and leadership in a variety of secular and faith-based settings where you can help families and couples work through and cope with difficult issues.
Master of Marriage and Family Therapy
Prepare for licensure in marriage and family therapy with a program that examines the complex issues today’s families face.
ACU’s graduate program in marriage and family therapy combines theory and clinical training, including a 500-hour internship, typically at ACU’s on-site Marriage and Family Institute. It’s designed to be completed in two years with an intentional professor/student ratio that enables academic and pedagogical mentoring.
Accreditation
ACU’s on-campus Master of Marriage and Family Therapy program is accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE).
School of Social Work
Social workers are at the frontlines working directly with clients, as policy advocates and change agents. In the School of Social Work at Abilene Christian University, we strive to offer the kind of graduate-level education that can help you make a spiritual and professional impact on those who most need supportive community resources to improve their well-being and quality of life.
Our master’s program in social work will show you how to incorporate evidence-based interventions, faith values and leadership, building your capacity to assess, evaluate and conduct research. Learn to navigate complex ethical and social issues with diverse clients, and employ technology and strategies to increase equal access to social goods, rights and responsibilities.
Master of Science in Social Work
ACU’s Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW) offers an innovative curriculum filled with experiential learning opportunities to produce advanced versatile social work leaders. You will identify and make use of what works from the most promising interventions and cutting-edge social programs and policies. You will participate in active and experiential learning that empowers and fosters critical thinking while developing culturally responsive strategies.
We offer two programs of study that share curriculum. Both programs give students unparalleled field placement opportunities and guided interprofessional education simulations to fit your interests, outside commitments and future career goals. Both require a thesis negotiated with the advanced year internship.
Our two M.S.S.W. programs of study:
- The Standard program requires two years (64 credits) of full-time study.
- The Advanced Standing program requires a B.S.W. degree from a CSWE accredited program and can be completed in one academic year (38 credits), which includes a 6-hour summer seminar course.
Additionally, in cooperation with ACU’s Graduate School of Theology, students can pursue the M.S. in Social Work degree concurrently with the Master of Arts in Christian Ministry degree.
Accreditation
ACU’s Master of Science in Social Work program is accredited by the Council of Social Work Education (CSWE).