Students in Classroom

M.A. Marriage and Family Counseling

51³Ô¹Ï This Program

Expand your Skills

Our two-year master’s program in Marriage and Family Counseling develops your individualized theory of counseling and provides you with the professional training to: 

  • Practice as a professional counselor who specializes in marital, couple and family counseling
  • Address a wide variety of issues in the context of relationships and families
  • Apply research and theory to practical experiences
  • Build professional skills through supervised internships in the community
  • Engage in self-discovery, personal growth and development
  • Develop insight and awareness, including a clear understanding of the boundaries between personal and client issues
  • Maintain strong mental health; we provide referrals outside the program for counseling when necessary

Develop your Career

Our Marriage and Family Counseling Program is accredited by the . Through multi-media instruction, we prepare counselors who are:

  • Prepared to serve as advocates, educators and leaders
  • Adept at strengthening individuals, families and communities
  • Creative
  • Productive
  • Socially just
  • Service-oriented leaders in the counseling profession

Extend your Reach

You will be learning with and from a diverse group of people, as our rich learning environment exposes you to the experiences of your classmates and expert faculty.  You will graduate well positioned for a variety of career opportunities, including:

  • Family counseling
  • Social service and mental health agencies
  • College counseling centers
  • Private practice
  • Hospitals and clinics

Our Faculty

Robert Mckinney

Rob McKinney, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Counselor Education; Director of Clinical Mental Health

Profile photo of Professor Elisabeth Bennett

Elisabeth "Lisa" Bennett, Ph.D.

Professor, Counselor Education

Photo of Mark Young

Mark A. Young, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Counselor Education; Director of Marriage and Family Counseling

Photo of Curtis Garner

Curtis Garner

Professor, Counselor Education

Melanie Person

Melanie Person, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Counselor Education; Director of MOC Canada

Addy Wissel

Addy Wissel, Ph.D.

Associate Professor & Chair, Counselor Education; Director of School Counseling



Making a Difference

Two people holding hands conversing

Graduate Students Serve Family Haven

Gonzaga’s Marriage & Family Counseling program 51³Ô¹Ï interns serve the mental health needs of Family Haven residents.

Marriage and Family Counseling

100%

Job Placement

100%

NCE Exam Pass Rate (2024)

8

Graduates (May 2024)

100%

Program Completion Rate