Potential Masters Program

 Master of Science in Couple and Family Therapy Admissions — Raymond A. Kent School of Social Work and Family Science


For the past few years we have had more and more of our marriage and family studies graduates who are interested in advocacy and policy enter into a masters of public administration (MPA). The MFS undergraduate degree and the MPA create a powerful combination for anyone who wants to work in nonprofit or public policy.


Tips for Preparing for Grad School

Most graduate programs in the social sciences are seeking applicants that have both academic and applied knowledge.  Graduate programs want to ensure that students are going to do well in research, writing, and have good interpersonal skills, especially if they are going into a clinical master's program.  

Tip #1: Research Graduate Programs

Find out about the graduate program and the faculty at the program. Do a campus visit where you can set up a time to meet a faculty member.  Ask faculty about their research and their courses.  How many applicants do they admit each year? Yes, you can that. 

Ask about funding too. Most graduate programs offer assistantships. Assistantships are employment positions where you assist faculty in teaching or do research for a professor. They pay for some or all of your tuition and usually will provide you with a monthly stipend or even medical insurance.  Some programs also offer scholarships and fellowships that are basically free money if you qualify for them.

Tip #2: Get Involved in the Field

It's never too early to begin immersing yourself in the family science field.  You can volunteer in the community in a non-profit, do research for a professor, work on a project, write for a newsletter, blog, or professional organization, or even teach community courses or workshops.

Find areas of interest and see if there is a conference that is offered on the topic.  Many local or regional conferences are offered and provide students with student registration at a reduced cost. For example, the Utah Council on Family Relations holds a spring conference each year and has a keynote speaker and workshops that focus on topics in our field.

Tip # 3: Get to Know Faculty

As important as class time is in getting to know faculty from the content they present, it's even more important to get to know them outside of class. This allows faculty to see not only your academic preparation but also your social and leadership skills.  Faculty are asked to write letters of recommendation for students applying to graduate programs. It's much easier to write an excellent letter if the faculty knows the student better.


Applying to Graduate School

Most graduate programs will require the following:

  • A completed application
  • Official transcripts,
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • A statement of intent (sometimes called a personal statement or goal statement), and
  • A copy of your resume or vitae,
  • GRE scores (Graduate Record Exam).

The PowerPoint below outlines some good tips in preparing for this process.

Download Applying to Graduate School.pdf

The majority of graduate programs have application deadlines in December, January, and February for the following fall semester.  Check program deadlines and instructions carefully.

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