Admission decisions are based on a competitive process that consists of a review of the following:
- Grade Point Average (GPA)
- Letters of Recommendation
- Personal Statement
- Essay on Families
- Program Admissions Application
- On-campus Interviews (for those applicants who are invited for an interview)
- Graduate Assistantships
Completed applications are due Jan. 15 of every year for the following fall admission. Applications submitted by that date will be eligible to attend the required on-campus interview (generally held in late February or early March).
NOTE: Every state has different LMFT licensure requirements. Thus, attending UNLV's CFT program does not guarantee that you will meet licensure requirements outside of the state of Nevada.
GRE scores are optional for all future applicants
Click the drop down arrows below for more information
Note that the minimum GPA is 2.75 per the UNLV Graduate College Standards (see the application requirements).
- Follow the instructions for the online application process. Remember, you may save your work in the application and then log back in using your user name and password, so you do not need to complete this application all at one time; however, once you hit the final SUBMIT button at the end of the application, you cannot re-enter or make any additional changes.
- Find more information about admissions on the graduate college website.
- Apply to the graduate college online.
- Go to your Grad Rebel Gateway account and go to "admissions" tab. Start a CFT program application by clicking the "Create New Application" button and select the degree for the application type, Masters for the level of study, and Couple and Family Therapy M.S. for the program of study. Complete the application.
- Complete a Personal Statement: Write a brief, autobiographical essay outlining your interest in becoming a marriage and family therapist. Please include a discussion of your personal and family background and how your experiences have led to your decision to pursue a career as a marriage and family therapist. Please also include a discussion of your professional goals. (Please type – four-page double-spaced maximum)
- Complete an Essay on the Family: Write a brief essay in response to the following questions: "What is your definition of family? What is the biggest challenge or issue facing families today?" (Please type – two-page double-spaced maximum).
Complete and submit the CFT Program Admissions Application online through the Graduate Program Supplementary Information section of the online application in Grad Rebel Gateway.
Applicants should upload these through the Graduate Program Supplementary Information section of the online application.
- Personal Statement: Write a brief, autobiographical essay outlining your interest in becoming a marriage and family therapist. Please include a discussion of your personal and family background and how your experiences have led to your decision to pursue a career as a marriage and family therapist. Please also include a discussion of your professional goals. (Please type – four-page double-spaced maximum)
- Essay on the Family: Write a brief essay in response to the following questions: "What is your definition of family? What is the biggest challenge or issue facing families today?" (Please type – two-page double-spaced maximum)
If available, upload copies of all undergraduate and previous graduate work into the online application and have official copies of transcripts sent to the UNLV Graduate College:
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Graduate College
FDH 352, Box 451017
4505 S. Maryland Parkway
Las Vegas, NV 89154-1017
Note: If you are unable to upload copies of your transcripts into the online application, you must send a copy directly to the Couple and Family Therapy Program. However, we strongly encourage you to upload copies of your transcripts in the online application in order to expedite the review of your application.
Applicants should request letters of recommendation from three individuals. Ideally, these recommendations should come from professors, professionals in the mental health field, and/or employers who can address your qualifications and potential for graduate study, the field of marriage and family therapy, or both. (Friends, family members, and acquaintances are not acceptable references.)
- It is preferred that applicants request letters through the online application, which directs recommenders to submit their letters electronically. Instructions are outlined within the online application (click on the "Recommendations" link). If the recommender, however, cannot send the letter electronically, they may send the recommendation directly to the program.
- It is your responsibility to follow up with your references to make sure the deadline is met.
Upon review by the program Admissions Committee, a select group of applicants will be invited to participate in interviews with the program faculty on campus.
Applicants are responsible for making sure all materials arrive by the deadline. If you have any questions about the application process, please contact Dr. Jordan, Professor and Program Director, at 702-895-5759 or sara.jordan@unlv.edu.
A limited number of graduate assistantships are offered on a competitive basis each semester. If you are interested in applying for a GA position, please complete the Financial Support Information section of the online application. GA applicants must also submit a GA application online. Instructions for this are on the Graduate College homepage. In order to submit an application, you will need your student ID number (NSHE number). Please call the UNLV Graduate College (702-895-3320) to get your NSHE number. It is also highly recommended that you upload your resume/CV in the Graduate Program Supplementary Information part of the online application. Please visit the Graduate Assistants webpage for more information or contact the graduate college if you have questions about the application process.