M.S. in HDF – Couple and Family Therapy

Admission

How/When to Apply

You can submit an online application at any time, through the URI Graduate School.  Applications are due on January 15th for admission in the fall semester. Students are admitted only once a year.

Admission Requirements

  • Evidence of competent undergraduate academic performance: Strong candidates have a 3.3 GPA or higher. However, all of your materials including letters of reference, professional statement, and evidence of relevant volunteer, internship or research experience are reviewed together to assess your ability to succeed in the program.
  • Personal Statement: Your statement should describe your interest in CFT and outline your professional goals (see specific Guidelines for Personal Statement below). 
  • Two or more letters of recommendation: References should speak to your academic performance or when applicable attest to observed experience related to the helping professions and to your emotional stability and maturity.
  • Undergraduate or graduate courses in the following areas:
    • Human Development or Developmental Psychology
    • Family Relationships
    • Counseling Skills
  • Interview: Applicants who have been selected as candidates for admission must be interviewed by the CFT faculty. The goal of this interview is to determine whether the applicant possesses the full range of academic qualifications, experiential background, clinical competency, and readiness to undertake the rigors of an academically and emotionally demanding clinical preparation program.
  • Resume: Please submit a current resume with your application.
  • Selection for admission to this program is competitive and enrollment is limited. Diversity among students is a major program goal.

Funding Opportunities

Financial support opportunities include graduate assistantships, work study opportunities, tuition scholarships, and graduate student loans. A limited number of graduate assistantships (GA) are available on a competitive basis. Additional mechanisms of support are detailed at the Office of Financial Aid. If requesting a graduate assistantship, please submit a resume with your application. For information on tuition and fees, please see https://web.uri.edu/enrollment/tuition-and-fees/

Guidelines for Personal Statement

The Department of Human Development and Family Science assesses the fit between your interests and abilities and the goals of the Couple and Family Therapy program. To help aid in this assessment, we require that you create a personal/professional narrative.

  1. Tell us how your life experiences, including your work (paid or volunteer) with individuals and families, have influenced your decision to pursue the CFT degree.
  2. Explain how this degree will assist in developing your professional career goals.
  3. Describe your personal strengths that will aid you in your CFT training.
  4. What challenges do you anticipate as a CFT graduate student?
  5. Graduate education requires sophisticated writing and critical thinking skills. Discuss the reasons why you believe you will be able to meet the academic requirements of a rigorous graduate program. As part of this, please discuss how well your undergraduate GPA reflects your academic abilities.
  6. As an addendum to the personal statement, please indicate whether you plan to complete the program as a full or part-time student and whether your attendance will be contingent on receiving a graduate assistantship.

All materials should be submitted online through the URI Graduate School.