MFT...CSPP vs SDSU, need expert advice!!

[thatwesguy]

Hi all!

So, I was recently accepted into both SDSU and CSPP at Alliant University for their MA in MFT Programs. I know CSPP carries with it a stigma for being a professional school; but I'm currently having a really hard time trying to figure out which program to accept

Some of the pro's and con's I've weighed include the price, location (I live in OC and would be commuting to the Irvine campus if I go to Alliant vs relocating to SD), prestige, practicum experience, clinical training, and post-grad work opportunities. I'm contemplating continuing on to my Psy.D after graduation, so that's also something I'm throwing into the mix.

Both schools are COAMFTE accredited, which is why I applied to them.

I would just love some expert opinions from graduates or students in either programs to help me make my final decision; any words of advice would be great! Thanks for taking the time to read 😀

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[thatwesguy]

no responses? I already contacted a few students from both programs but more insight would be great 😀

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

MFT and psychology are two different areas of training, so it is worth considering which area fits better with your goals. If you have plans on pursuing doctoral training in psychology, and you need/want to pursue an MA/MS first, then do it in a more application area within psychology. If you are pretty sure you want to focus on therapy, then an MA/MS in whichever area you are most interested should work out fine.

As an aside, there are a TON of MA/MS and doctorally-trained providers in California, so it would behoove you to do anything you can to differentiate yourself from them. Attending CSPP may work against you in this regard.

 

[thatwesguy]

Thank you for your input, I looked into Clinical Psych vs MFT, and I feel that MFT fits my career goals better. Seems as though CSPP has a really bad reputation in the field of Psychology, specifically at the doctorate level.

I've been on the fence but I think doing some research has greatly pushed me towards SDSU.

 

[stdnt22]

Hi there...I am currently finishing up my first year as an MSW student, and I would highly recommend it over the MFT program. I currently intern with recent MFT graduates and it is much more difficult for them to find jobs than MSWs. They actually cannot find any work, while the recent MSW grads I know have all found jobs. While California offers an LMFT...if you ever move out of state, there may not be licensing for your line of study in other states. There are LCSWs in all 50 states and it is more highly valued. I actually just recently interviewed for my 2nd year placement at a hospital doing psychiatric social work (running group therapy for patients and treatment planning), and the head Psychiatrist mentioned he does not like hiring MFTs because the scope of education is so narrow. It is solely therapy based, while MSW is a combination of therapy (if you choose a mental health concentration)...as well as community based. It's just something to think about.