Find out if Sentio is the right fit for you.

Considering a Master's in Marriage and Family Therapy in California?

If you are researching MFT programs in California, you likely have questions about what to look for in a graduate program, how the training experience varies from school to school, what the path to LMFT licensure actually involves, and whether a particular program is the right fit for your goals. Filling out the form above connects you directly with a Sentio University admissions advisor who can answer your specific questions and help you evaluate whether our Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy program aligns with your academic and professional plans.

There is no obligation when you request information. Our admissions team is here to provide clarity, whether that means walking you through our curriculum, explaining how our training model compares to other California MFT programs, or helping you understand the steps involved in becoming a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of California.

How Sentio University's MFT Program Works

Sentio University is a nonprofit graduate school based in Los Angeles offering a 20 month hybrid Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy. The program is approved by the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE) and the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS), meaning graduates meet all educational requirements for LMFT licensure in California. You can review our Transparency page.

The hybrid format combines weekly live online classes held via Zoom with one intensive in person residency in Los Angeles each semester. This structure is designed for working professionals and career changers who need flexibility but do not want to compromise on the depth and rigor of their clinical training. Classes are small, with a maximum of 16 students per cohort, and the program maintains a 4:1 student to faculty ratio throughout. For a detailed look at the curriculum structure, course sequence, and degree requirements, visit our Academic Catalog or review our Academic Calendars for upcoming start dates and semester schedules.

What Makes Sentio Different from Other MFT Programs

California has dozens of MFT programs, and they vary widely in cost, format, training philosophy, and student outcomes. When you request information from Sentio, our admissions team will help you understand the specific features that set our program apart. Here are some of the most important ones to know about as you begin your research.

Sentio is the only MFT program in California built entirely on Deliberate Practice, an evidence based training methodology grounded in decades of research on how professionals develop expert level skill. Rather than relying primarily on lectures and case discussion, Sentio students spend hundreds of hours in structured skill rehearsal before they ever see their first client, and that practice continues across all five semesters. Our faculty and leadership are the authors of the APA published "Essentials of Deliberate Practice" book series, which is now used by training programs around the world. You can explore the full collection on our Books by Sentio page and access free training materials on our Deliberate Practice Videos and Exercises page.

Every Sentio student receives a guaranteed practicum placement at the Sentio Counseling Center, our telehealth training clinic that specializes in serving diverse, low income clients across California, with a particular focus on trauma informed care. Students gain over 400 supervised clinical hours that count directly toward the 3,000 hours required by the BBS for LMFT licensure. Securing a practicum site is one of the most stressful and uncertain aspects of any MFT program, and Sentio removes that obstacle entirely. All clinical sessions are recorded and reviewed in video based supervision, so students receive precise, data driven feedback on their actual work with clients rather than supervision based on memory or self report.

Sentio is also the first graduate program in the country to formally integrate AI training into the mental health curriculum. Our AI Research team conducts original studies on how people use AI for mental health support and how AI tools can be used safely and ethically in clinical practice, with peer reviewed publications in journals including The Lancet Psychiatry. Graduates leave Sentio prepared not just for the clinical landscape of today but for the rapidly evolving future of mental health care.

The Path to Becoming a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in California

Becoming an LMFT in California requires completing a master's degree from a BBS approved program, accumulating 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience (including a minimum number of direct client contact hours), and passing the California MFT licensing exams. Sentio's program is structured to give you a strong start on each of these requirements. The 60 unit curriculum satisfies all BBS educational requirements, and the practicum at the Sentio Counseling Center provides over 400 clinical hours that count toward your post graduation hour total from the very first year of training. For a more detailed breakdown of the licensure pathway and how Sentio's degree applies, visit our Licensure Information page.

Tuition, Scholarships, and Affordability

Total tuition for Sentio's 20 month MFT program is $67,200, placing it in the mid range of California MFT programs. By comparison, programs at USC and Pepperdine exceed $100,000, while many programs in a similar price range do not offer guaranteed practicum placement, a 4:1 faculty ratio, or the level of individualized clinical training that Sentio provides. Sentio offers two scholarship programs: the K. Anders Ericsson Memorial Scholarship for merit based awards and the Jeremy Safran Scholarship for need based awards, with funding ranging from $1,000 to $50,400. Scholarship applications are included in the program application itself, so there is no additional process. Visit our Scholarships page for eligibility details and our Tuition and Fees page for the complete cost breakdown.

Other Ways to Learn About Sentio

In addition to requesting information through the form above, there are several other ways to explore whether Sentio is the right fit for you. You can attend an open house to meet our faculty and admissions staff live and ask questions in real time. You can browse answers to the most common questions prospective students ask on our FAQ page. You can read about the founding story and educational philosophy behind the program on our About Sentio University page and the Message from the President. If you are an undergraduate student exploring whether a career in psychotherapy is right for you, our Undergraduate Internship program offers California based college students a hands on introduction to the field. And when you are ready, you can begin your application on our Apply Now page.

If you have a specific question that is not covered on our website, you can also reach our team directly through our Contact page.