Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling

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Our CACREP-accredited program will prepare you for licensure as a professional counselor (LPC), which is essential for employment in the mental health field and private practice. You will develop the understanding and skills for working with people who are experiencing such issues/conditions as: anxiety, depression, trauma, autism spectrum disorders, eating disorders, relational conflict, grief/loss, etc.

Our stimulating curriculum includes experiential learning, self-reflection papers, case study analysis and group activities. Nearly all of our courses are taught in a traditional rather than a distance education format. 

Pursue Your Bigger Goals

Our M.S. Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling degree prepares you to make an impact in the field of mental health. You will learn to understand conflict as it relates to the family unit and learn to assist families and couples in navigating those interactions. Also, you'll learn to assist with issues such as anger management, self-esteem and grief and learn to create collaborative treatment plans for care.

After earning your degree in 2.5 years, you can have many career opportunities including becoming a:

  • Out-patient, in-patient or mobile therapist
  • Private practice
  • Family-based mental health therapist
  • Substance abuse counselor
  • Behavioral specialist consultant (BSC)
  • Community mental health counselor
  • Career counselor
  • Probation/parole officer

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Program Information

Our CACREP-accredited program will prepare you for licensure as a professional counselor (LPC) to work as a counselor in family-based practice, private practice and many additional settings.

Degree

Master's

School

School of Education

Academic Department

Counselor Education and School Psychology

Duration

2.5 years

Required Credit Hours

60

CACREP Accreditation

Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) programs have rigorous curriculum and provide comprehensive fieldwork supervision. As a graduate of our CACREP-accredited program, you will have greater portability for licensure and certification. Some states require graduation from a CACREP-accredited program to obtain Licensure as a Professional Counselor (LPC).

Visit CACREP

Prepare Here, Impact Anywhere

15%Tuition Award

You may be eligible to receive a 15% tuition award for taking six credits per semester.

LPCLicensure

Graduates of our Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling program satisfy the academic requirements for licensure as a professional counselor (LPC) and for National Counseling Certification (NCC).

100%Job Placement Rate

Our alumni have a 100% job placement rate.

100%Exam Pass Rate

Our graduates have a 100% pass rate on the LPC exam.

Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling Graduate Statistics

Statistics 2018-19 2019-20 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23
Number of Graduates 2 3 5 4 3
Completion Rate  NA 100%  50% 84% 84%
Praxis II Exam Pass Rate 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Job Placement Rate 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%

For additional information and statistics, please see the Annual Report.

Great Value, Great Education

In 2.5 years, our 60-credit program gives the you the flexibility, skills and experience so you can pursue your bigger goals.

Earning your master's degree in Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling can be completed within 2.5 years by taking nine to 12 credits per semester.
You have the option to complete the program on a full-time or part-time basis and can take classes in the late afternoon and early evening.
Our program accepts students with bachelor's degrees in a variety of areas. There are no undergraduate pre-requisites, other than having a bachelor's degree.
You have the opportunity to experience a variety of mental health agencies for fieldwork. Our students have held internships at agencies such as:
Graduates of our Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling program satisfy the academic requirements for licensure as a professional counselor (LPC) and for National Counseling Certification (NCC). Our Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling program does not meet the academic requirements for Licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), but LPC graduates of the program are able to provide marriage, couple and family counseling and many agencies prefer the LPC to the LMFT.
As a graduate of this program, you will be amongst numerous graduates who serve as leaders in the mental health profession.
The educational experiences of Duquesne's Counselor Education program are:
  • Grounded in theories of wellness, holism and development
  • Involve community engagement and are informed by an understanding of systemic context and multicultural theory
  • Focus on the core elements of an effective helping relationship
  • Emphasize self-awareness, personal development and experiential learning

Application Process

Apply today

All Applicants

  • 3.0 GPA*
    *Applicants are customarily expected to have a 3.0 grade point average, based on a four-point scale, in their undergraduate work. However, exceptions may be granted on a limited basis, in which there is substantial additional evidence of a student's academic competency.
  • Bachelor’s Degree
    All majors welcome to apply

International Applicants 

English Proficiency Requirements
Duquesne University requires submission of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or Duolingo English Test (DET) scores for all non-native English-speaking applicants who attended a university outside of the United States.

Score Requirements
The University requires the following minimum scores* for general admission consideration:

  • TOEFL (iBT) 80
  • IELTS 6.5**
  • Duolingo English Test 105

Transcript Credit Evaluation
If your transcript(s) is from an institution located outside of the United States, you must use a transcript credential evaluation service to obtain a course-by-course report.

The official reports must be sent directly to Duquesne University from the organization you order through and will qualify as official transcripts.

You may use the following services to request official foreign credential evaluations: World Education Services (WES) or Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE).

Visit International Admissions for additional information and requirements.

 

All Applicants

  • Online application
    Upon completing of the online application to the university, applicants will be prompted to submit their supporting materials (in bullet points below) in their applicant portal 
  • Resume/curriculum vitae
  • Graduate education essay
    • The essay is limited to 250 words
    • Prompt: Discuss your professional plans upon acquiring a master's degree in counseling
  • Two (2) Recommendations
    • Names and email addresses of recommenders are needed
    • Recommender will receive an email prompting the recommender to upload their recommendation for the applicant
    • Recommendations must be from individuals who can speak about the applicant’s academic
      professional abilities (i.e. faculty/supervisor recommendations)
    • Note: Family, friends and professional colleagues are not acceptable references
  • Official transcripts
    Submit transcripts to one of the following:

Hard Copy:
Duquesne University School of Education
Office of Graduate Admissions
214A Canevin Hall
600 Forbes Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15282

Electronic:
soegradFREEDUQUESNE

 

International Applications 

  • Official TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo
    (please see score requirements in the previous section - "Admission Requirements, International Applicants")
  • Transcript Credit Evaluation
    • If your transcript(s) is from an institution located outside of the United States, you must use a transcript credential evaluation service to obtain a course-by-course report.
    • The official reports must be sent directly to Duquesne University from the organization you order through and will qualify as official transcripts.
    • You may use the following services to request official foreign credential evaluations: World Education Services (WES) or Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE).

Visit International Admissions for additional information and requirements.

Fall 2025 Applications

The Fall 2025 applications will open on August 1.

The deadline to apply is February 1, 2025.

Qualified applicants will be notified starting in the late fall for spring interviews.

Submission of Application Materials
Upon completing the online application to the university, applicants will be prompted to submit their supporting materials (in above "Application Materials" section) in their applicant portal. Applicants can track the progress of their application materials in their applicant portal.

Early Start Program - Marriage, Couple & Family Counseling, M.S.

Our M.S. Marriage, Couple & Family Counseling program offers an early start option for School of Education undergraduate students. During your junior or senior year, you have the opportunity to take up to five courses in this master's-level program at the undergraduate tuition rate.

Connect with us to learn more and we will walk you through the application process. To get started, call (412) 396-6093.

Faculty Perspective

Profile photo of Dr. Kathryn Linich with plant in backgroung

Our program equips you to work with individuals, couples, children & families at a deeper level from all backgrounds & with a wide variety of presenting concerns. You’ll learn from a systemic perspective; we’re all impacted by the families & systems we grow up in. Even if a client comes to therapy alone, their family is still in the room with them.

Dr. Kathryn Linich Clinical Assistant Professor
Learn more about Dr. Linich

Our Faculty Experts

Matthew Joesph, Ph.D.

Matthew Joesph, Ph.D.

Co-Program Director | Associate Professor

Jered Kolbert, Ph.D.

Jered Kolbert, Ph.D.

Co-Program Director | Professor

Michael Sickels, Ph.D.

Michael Sickels, Ph.D.

Clinical Facilitator | Clinical Assistant Professor

David Delmonico, Ph.D.

David Delmonico, Ph.D.

Professor

Kathryn Linich, Ph.D.

Kathryn Linich, Ph.D.

Clinical Assistant Professor

Tree framed Canevin Hall along Academic Walk with Administration Building in background

Mission Statement - Counselor Education

The mission of the Duquesne University Counselor Education program is to prepare professional counselors, educators, scholars and clinical supervisors who promote the well-being of individuals, families, organizations and communities. This mission aligns with the University’s Spiritan mission to serve God by educating counselors who value social justice, meet high personal and professional standards; and promote moral, spiritual, intellectual, physical, social and emotional development.

It's Time for Bigger Goals

 

 

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Graduate Admissions

Learn about our admission requirements and the application process. Make an impact as a teacher, administrator, school psychologist, counselor and educator with our graduate programs and certificates.

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Graduate Education Programs

Make in impact as a teacher, administrator school psychologist, counselor, and educator with our graduate programs and certificates.

Explore Your Options

Contact Us

Counseling

Susan Burich

Assistant to the Program Director