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

Academic Department

Counselor Education and School Psychology

Duration

2.5 years

Required Credit Hours

60

Prepare Here, Impact Anywhere

15%Tuition Award

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

CACREP logo that shows check mark with horizontal lines in the background text reads CACREP

Accreditation

Our program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). CACREP programs have rigorous curriculum & provide comprehensive fieldwork supervision. Graduates of CACREP-accredited programs have greater portability for licensure and certification. Some states require graduation from a CACREP-accredited program to obtain Licensure as a Professional Counselor (LPC).

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.

 

Great Value, Great Education

In 2.5 years, our 60-credit program gives 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.

Application Process

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

  • Application for Fall 2025
  • 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
Office of Graduate Admissions
600 Forbes Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15282

Electronic:
Email%20Graduate%20Admissions

 

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 are open

The deadline to apply is February 1, 2025.

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

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.

Learning Outcomes

M.S. Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling Mission Statement
To prepare marriage, couple and family counselors who provide mental health services that incorporate a focus on development in accordance with a culturally sustaining and ecological-systems framework

Learning Outcomes - Program Objectives
  • Use a culturally sustaining and ecological-systems framework in conceptualizing client’s/student’s presenting issues and needs.
  • Understand and follow legal and ethical standards.
  • Understand and demonstrate use of counseling theories in conceptualizing and providing individual and group counseling and consultation to clients/students and their important others.
  • Effectively use active listening skills in forming professional helping relationships with clients/students and their important others.

Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling Graduate Statistics

Statistics 2019-20 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24
Number of Graduates 3 5 4 3 4
Completion Rate  100%  50% 84% 84% 33%
LPC Examination 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.

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

ZiYoung Kang, Ph.D.

ZiYoung Kang, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

Kathryn Linich, Ph.D.

Kathryn Linich, Ph.D.

Clinical Assistant Professor

John McCarthy

John McCarthy

Visiting Assistant Professor

Michael Sickels, Ph.D.

Michael Sickels, Ph.D.

Clinical Facilitator | Clinical Assistant Professor

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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.

Accreditation

Our counseling program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).

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