Southern Utah University Launches New Therapy Program For Families

Southern Utah University will launch a new Master of Marriage and Family Therapy program in fall 2026, a move driven by growing workforce needs and increasing student interest in the mental health field. The on-campus graduate program is designed to prepare students for licensure and professional practice while emphasizing the unique needs of families and individuals in southern Utah.

“Through this on-campus program, graduates are prepared to lead with compassion, cultural and faith sensitivity, and a deep commitment to strengthen relationships wherever they serve,” said SUU’s MFT Program Director Trenton Call, PhD, LMFT, in a press release. He noted that the program’s community-centered, interprofessional training model will set it apart from others in the region. “What sets this program apart is its community-centered, interprofessional approach to training. It’s designed to meet the unique mental health needs of those in southern Utah. Our students will receive rigorous clinical education, hands-on supervision, and real-world experience in an on-campus collaborative training clinic, so they are competent for licensure and practice.”

SUU Will Prepare Candidate For Licensing By The State

The curriculum aligns with requirements from the Utah Department of Professional Licensing and follows accreditation standards established by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education, which SUU will begin working toward. Students will study a comprehensive range of topics, including assessment and diagnosis, family systems, addiction therapy, trauma and crisis therapy, child and family therapy, and clinical sex therapy.

“This new program has small classes and close faculty mentorship, which are hallmarks of an education at SUU,” said Tad Brinkerhoff, SUU’s associate vice president of Graduate and Online Enrollment, in the release. He emphasized the strong career outlook for graduates. “There is such a great need for therapists in Utah, especially in rural areas as well as across the nation. Our graduates stand to find high-paying jobs, but more importantly, they will have the skills to help families and individuals lead fulfilled lives.”

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The first cohort will include nine students, with applications due December 15, 2025. The program will be offered exclusively on campus, and admission requirements are consistent with other universities in the state, with no GRE score required.

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The launch of the MMFT program continues SUU Graduate and Online’s 128-year legacy of expanding access to higher education. Today, the department offers more than 30 affordable and flexible degree options to students worldwide, including several accelerated master’s programs and one of the nation’s most affordable bachelor’s degrees.