Master of Arts in Couple & Family Counseling - Admission Requirements, Decisions, and Curriculum (60 credits)

Aug 26, 2026

The document outlines the Master of Arts in Couple & Family Counseling program, detailing the 60-credit-hour curriculum and how it satisfies Illinois licensure education pathways for Professional Counselor, Marriage and Family Therapist, and associate credentials. It specifies fall-semester admission timing, application submission deadline, required materials, evaluation criteria, and the Preadmission Workshop process. Minimum admission standards include a 2.75 undergraduate GPA requirement, plus competitive review and reapplication limits, followed by enrollment eligibility and non-degree seeking course authorization rules.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages5

Reading Time13 min

AccessFree to download

Admission Requirements

Application materials and evaluation criteria

Minimum standards for admission

Admission decisions

Eligibility to Enroll in Classes

Non-degree seeking student enrollment

Curriculum in Couple & Family Counseling

Required courses and 60-credit structure

Clinical experience

Master of Arts in Couple & Family Counseling 1 Master of Arts in Couple & Family Counseling The 60-credit hour Couple & Family Counseling program fulfills the educational requirements for the two levels of licensure as a Professional Counselor and Marriage and Family Therapist in the State of Illinois: Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC), and Associate Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (ALMFT) and the Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) . Graduates of this program also meet the educational requirements for Clinical Membership in the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. The Couple and Family Counseling program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) . Admission Requirements Counselor Education admits students in the fall semester. The deadline to submit a complete application for the program is February 1st. Counselor Education deadline dates differ from other Northeastern M.A. program deadline dates. Applicants can apply to the program through NEIU’s online application system ([https://apply.neiu.edu/apply/](https://apply.neiu.edu/apply/)) . The online application requires submission of the following: • Application form • Application fee • Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended • Two recommenders (applicants will be prompted to enter contact information for 2 professional recommenders) • Current resume • Signed informed consent • An Essay (500-700 words or less), typed and double-spaced (instructions provided in the application) . Application materials will be evaluated in regard to an applicant's academic aptitude, relevance of career goals, cultural competence, and potential for fostering therapeutic relationships. Applicants who meet the minimum requirements in Couple and Family Counseling will be invited to attend a Preadmission Workshop (PAW) . The PAW involves applicants participating in a series of group discussions facilitated by Counselor Education faculty. Dates and times to attend a PAW session are available on Slate. MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR ADMISSION TO THE PROGRAM • Graduate Admissions and Records has established a minimum grade point average of 2.75 for undergraduate degrees. Applicants with undergraduate GPAs below 2.75 will not be admitted. Applicants who have earned a graduate degree from an accredited university are exempt from this requirement. • Problematic or poor performance during the PAW will make an applicant ineligible for admission. • Meeting the minimum academic requirements is no guarantee of admission. • Admission to the Counselor Education Department is competitive. It is possible for an otherwise acceptable applicant to be denied admission due to the competitive strength of the applicant pool. The number of applicants that can be admitted to the program is limited. Those not selected for admission may reapply only once. ADMISSION DECISIONS Admission decisions are based on the following: • Relevance of career goals • Aptitude for graduate-level study • Potential success in forming effective counseling relationships • Respect for cultural differences Eligibility to Enroll in Classes Once you are officially admitted to your program, you may register for classes during online registration periods. Counselor Education allows non-degree seeking students to take courses as a student-at-large under certain circumstances, such as completing deficiencies for licensure or complementing your graduate degree. To request approval to take a course as a non-degree seeking student, please complete this form ([https://www.neiu.edu/academics/colleges-departments/education/departments/counselor-education/information](https://www.neiu.edu/academics/colleges-departments/education/departments/counselor-education/information)prospective-students/permission-take-courses-counselor-education-non-d

FAQs

What is the application deadline for the Couple & Family Counseling program?

Students are admitted in the fall semester, and the deadline to submit a complete application is February 1st.

What are the minimum admission requirements for undergraduate GPA?

A minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.75 is required; applicants below 2.75 are not admitted unless they have earned a graduate degree from an accredited university, which exempts them from this requirement.

What does the curriculum require in credit hours and courses?

The program requires a minimum of 60 credit hours (20 courses), including required counseling and research courses plus an elective, and it lists specific course codes and titles.

Aug 26, 2026

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