What to Expect From an MFT Program Interview in California
Many California MFT programs interview applicants before offering admission, usually by invitation after faculty have reviewed the written application. The formats vary from program to program. Some interview applicants in small groups, some hold individual interviews with faculty, some combine both in a full interview day, and some add recorded video answers or written interview questions to the application itself. The same practices appear in programs titled counseling psychology or clinical psychology, degree titles that can also lead to the LMFT in California.
Preparation starts with each program's admissions page, where schools announce the interview format, the dates and whether attendance is required. For the conversation itself, the most useful guide is what programs say they evaluate: motivation for the field, relevant experience, self-awareness, sensitivity to diversity and clear professional goals.
Do All MFT Programs Interview Applicants?
No. Many California MFT programs require an interview, some say only that one may be required, and others do not mention an interview on their admissions pages. Where an interview is required, it usually follows a first review of the written application. CSUN's application instructions say that "an on-campus or virtual interview (by-invitation-only) is required for admission," and its MFT handbook adds that "not all applicants will be invited for interviews" because of the large number of applicants. The University of San Diego invites "the most qualified candidates" to a group interview after an initial review of applications, and Palo Alto University invites "successful applicants" to its group interview.
An invitation moves you to a later stage of review without settling the outcome. Mount Saint Mary's University states that "an invitation to interview is not a guarantee of admission to the program." Interview dates are set for each admissions cycle, so check each program's page for the year you are applying.
What Is a Group Interview for a Counseling Program?
A group interview evaluates several applicants at once, and several California programs use it as their main interview. CSUN interviews applicants "in small groups of 6-8 applicants" for approximately two hours. Palo Alto University's group interview also lasts approximately two hours, and "participants are evaluated by both current students and Counseling faculty." The University of San Diego holds its group interview with the MFT faculty.
Some programs build a whole day around the interview. Sacramento State describes its Interview Day as "a full-day interactive experience with faculty and students," and its in-person evaluation consists of "an interview with faculty, a group activity, tour, and writing prompt." The programs publish the format and length, so prepare for what any group setting asks of you: answering questions with other applicants listening and responding to what they say. Treat the other applicants as future colleagues, since in a cohort program some of them may become your classmates.
What Else Can an MFT Interview Process Include?
Several programs add recorded or written answers to the live interview. San Diego State asks for a two-minute personal story video and a three- to four-minute interview video in which someone the applicant trusts asks the questions, and it tells applicants: "Do not use AI-generated prompts or read from scripts, papers, or screens." USC's application includes a recorded video response with two prompts, five minutes of preparation for each and four minutes to answer, and USC says that "no advance preparation is required." Chico State asks three written interview questions in its Cal State Apply application, each answered in half a page to a page.
Live interviews also differ in length and setting. Cal State LA's School-Based Family Counseling option holds an individual interview of about 20 to 30 minutes with at least two faculty members, while USC describes its interview as "a full day event that includes an interview, programming about the degree and networking." CSUN tells applicants to dress in business attire and says interview dates cannot be rescheduled, and Sacramento State offers no alternative dates, so keep the day free as soon as an invitation arrives.
How Should You Prepare for an MFT Program Interview?
Prepare by matching your examples to what programs say they look for. CSUN's handbook says its finalists typically demonstrate "strong personal presence, excellent writing skills, experience in the field, humanistic attitudes, sensitivity to diversity issues, and clear professional goals," along with a consistently high-achieving academic record. The California Institute of Integral Studies says applicants to its Community Mental Health program are interviewed "about their goals, objectives, and experiences." San Diego State's interview video asks why you are choosing an MFT program instead of other mental health fields, why you are choosing its program, and what you imagine your contribution will be.
Questions worth preparing for follow from those published criteria and prompts, whether or not a given program asks them in these words:
- Why do you want to become a marriage and family therapist rather than enter another mental health field?
- What paid or volunteer experience has shown you what the work involves, and what did you learn about yourself from it?
- How have your cultural background and your experiences with people different from you shaped the way you would work with clients?
- What are your professional goals, and how does this program's training fit them?
Practice your answers aloud, and reread your statement of purpose first so that your interview and your written application tell a consistent story. The same themes run through programs' essay prompts, which are covered in how to write a personal statement for an MFT program.
A Closer Look at One Program: The Sentio MFT Program
Programs differ in cohort size and in what they train, and both are worth asking about if an interview leaves time for your own questions. Cohorts and classes in the Sentio MFT program are limited to 24 students, and students train in deliberate practice every week, rehearsing specific therapeutic skills with feedback.
Every student has a guaranteed practicum at the Sentio Counseling Center, an online counseling center that serves diverse, low-income clients and specializes in serving clients with trauma. Students begin seeing clients in their second semester and complete more than 400 supervised clinical hours before graduating, and supervisors review video of their sessions.
Making Your Decision
An interview is also your chance to judge the program. Before the day, list what you want to learn, such as how large the cohort is, how clinical skills are taught and practiced, when you begin seeing clients and how supervision works. After each interview, write down what you learned while it is fresh, so that you can compare programs on the same points. For the parts of the application that come before the interview, see how to get into a therapy graduate program.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do MFT programs interview applicants?
Many California MFT programs do, usually by invitation after an initial review of the written application. CSUN says an on-campus or virtual interview, by invitation only, is required for admission, and the University of San Diego and Palo Alto University invite selected applicants to group interviews. Other programs say an interview may be required or do not mention one. An invitation to interview does not guarantee admission, so treat the interview as one part of the review.
What is a group interview for a counseling program?
A group interview meets with several applicants at the same time. CSUN interviews applicants in small groups of 6 to 8 for about two hours, and Palo Alto University's group interview also lasts about two hours, with participants evaluated by both current students and counseling faculty. The programs publish the format and length, so prepare to answer questions in front of other applicants and to listen and respond as they speak.
What questions are asked in an MFT program interview?
Most programs do not publish their interview questions. San Diego State is an exception: its recorded interview video asks why you are choosing an MFT program instead of other mental health fields, why you are choosing its program, and what you imagine your contribution will be. The California Institute of Integral Studies says applicants to its Community Mental Health program are interviewed about their goals, objectives and experiences. Prepare to discuss your motivation, experience, cultural awareness and professional goals.
How long is an MFT program interview?
Length varies by program. CSUN's small-group interviews last approximately two hours, as does Palo Alto University's group interview. Cal State LA's School-Based Family Counseling option holds individual interviews of about 20 to 30 minutes with at least two faculty members. USC describes its interview as a full-day event that includes an interview, programming about the degree and networking, and Sacramento State's Interview Day is also a full day, with a group activity, a tour and a writing prompt.
Are MFT program interviews virtual or in person?
Both formats are used. CSU Long Beach's Counseling Psychology program holds a mandatory virtual interview day, set for Friday, February 26, 2027, in the fall 2027 cycle, while San Diego State requires invited applicants to attend an in-person interview. CSUN and USC offer on-campus or virtual interviews. Check whether a program offers alternative dates before you make other plans, since CSUN says its interview dates cannot be rescheduled.
Does an interview invitation mean you are accepted?
No. Mount Saint Mary's University states that an invitation to interview is not a guarantee of admission to its program, and CSUN lists the quality of the interview as one of several factors in its admissions decisions, alongside the statement of purpose, letters of reference, GPA and experience in the field. Treat the invitation as a chance to strengthen your application, and prepare for it as seriously as you prepared your written materials.
References
California Institute of Integral Studies. (n.d.). Community mental health: M.A. in counseling. https://www.ciis.edu/academics/graduate-programs/community-mental-health
California State University, Chico. (n.d.). MS in marriage and family therapy (MFT): Info and application. https://www.csuchico.edu/academics/college/behavioral-social-sciences/departments/psychology/masters-programs/ms-marriage-family-therapy.shtml
California State University, Long Beach. (n.d.). Review and notification. https://www.csulb.edu/college-of-education/counseling-psychology/review-notification
California State University, Los Angeles. (n.d.). Master of Science in Counseling: School-Based Family Counseling option. https://www.calstatela.edu/coe/edsp/ms-school-based-family-counseling
California State University, Northridge. (n.d.-a). Application instructions (Educational Psychology and Counseling). https://www.csun.edu/eisner-education/educational-psychology-counseling/advising-resources/application-instructions
California State University, Northridge. (n.d.-b). Marriage and Family Therapy program handbook. https://www.csun.edu/eisner-education/educational-psychology-counseling/programs/mft-handbook
California State University, Sacramento. (n.d.). Annual application process. https://csus.edu/college/education/masters-programs/specialties-concentrations/counselor-education/prospective-students.html
Mount Saint Mary's University. (n.d.). Admission requirements. https://www.msmu.edu/departments/psychology/graduate-programs/counseling-psychology/admission/
Palo Alto University. (n.d.). MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. https://paloaltou.edu/academic-programs/ma-counseling
San Diego State University, College of Education. (n.d.). How to apply to the M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy. https://education.sdsu.edu/graduate/marriage-family-therapy-ms/apply
University of San Diego, School of Leadership and Education Sciences. (n.d.). Admissions requirements. https://www.sandiego.edu/soles/academics/ma-marital-family-therapy/admissions-requirements.php
University of Southern California, Rossier School of Education. (n.d.). MFT application instructions. https://rossier.usc.edu/programs/masters/mft/mft-application-instructions/
