Admission to the program is on a competitive basis. All prospective students must apply for admission through Abilene Christian University's Graduate School. When all required materials are assembled, the application will be reviewed by the Marriage & Family Therapy faculty.

The applicant must have the following completed before being considered for admission to the program:

1. A completed application for admission to the Abilene Christian University Graduate School and application fee.
2. An official transcript of all academic work indicating an earned bachelor's degree from a four-year accredited college or university.
3. Three (3) letters of reference.
4. A minimum of 900 (quantitative and verbal) on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) to be considered.
5. A minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0.
6. A written purpose statement declaring why the applicant wishes to study Marriage & Family Therapy at Abilene Christian University and what he or she plans to do professionally upon graduation.
7. For students whose first language is not English, an officially reported Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of at least 550.

When all required materials are assembled, the application will be reviewed by the Marriage & Family Therapy faculty. Students are admitted once a year and begin their program of study in the fall semester. All application materials should be completed by the preceding January 15 for the fall semester. If an extention is needed please contact the Department Chair, Dr. Jackie L. Halstead at halsteadj@acu.edu. The dates for personal interviews will be January 31-February 2. We MUST receive GRE scores by February 15. Acceptance into the program will be granted by March 1.

If you are interested in applying for this program, you may request application forms and other needed materials by calling the Marriage and Family Department (325) 674-3778 or download forms from the Graduate School.

Departmental Requirements

No specific undergraduate major is essential for admission. Applicants are encouraged to have undergraduate credit in subjects which embrace human development, family relations, theology, sociology, psychology and statistics. Applicants without adequate preparation may be accepted upon the condition that they register for additional courses deemed necessary by the graduate adviser. The personal interview for applicants residing outside the continental United States can be done via telephone and/or video tape.

The following are required in addition to university requirements:

1. Psychological testing.
2. Completion of a psychosocial history.
3. An on-campus interview with the faculty.
4. A quality of life which reflects high moral standards.