If you are considering Pepperdine University for a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy, one of the first questions you may have is about the Pepperdine MFT acceptance rate.
Pepperdine does not publicly provide an official acceptance-rate percentage for its MFT program. Because the university does not publish both the number of applications received and the number of applicants admitted, it is not possible to calculate a reliable acceptance rate from the available information.
Instead, prospective students can look at the program’s admission requirements, cohort sizes, GPA expectations, application materials, and differences between the daytime, evening, and online options.
Does Pepperdine Have an Official MFT Acceptance Rate?
There is no published official percentage showing how many applicants are accepted into Pepperdine’s MFT program.
Some information about enrollment is available. The daytime program typically has an entering group of around 22 to 23 students. Average classroom sizes are approximately 25 students for the evening format and 14 students for the online format.
However, these numbers represent enrollment or classroom size. They do not tell us how many people applied.
For example, knowing that 23 students entered a program does not tell us whether the university received 50 applications, 100 applications, or a different number. As a result, an acceptance rate should not be estimated from cohort size alone.
Pepperdine MFT Program at a Glance
Pepperdine’s MFT program is offered through several study formats, giving applicants different scheduling options.
Students can choose from:
- Daytime study at the Malibu campus
- Evening study at West Los Angeles, Calabasas, or Irvine
- A fully online program
The program follows the educational requirements for California’s Marriage and Family Therapist licensing pathway.
An LPCC pathway is also available through the evening and online formats.
Pepperdine University is institutionally accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission. The MFT program itself is not COAMFTE- or CACREP-accredited, and it is approved to meet California Board of Behavioral Sciences educational requirements.
How Long Does the Pepperdine MFT Program Take?
Program duration depends on the format selected.
The daytime option can be completed in about two years and consists of 62 units.
The evening option generally takes between 2.5 and 3 years and requires approximately 60 to 66 units.
The online option also takes approximately 2.5 to 3 years, with around 62 to 68 units depending on the student’s pathway.
This allows applicants to consider their preferred schedule before applying.
Pepperdine MFT GPA Requirements
Academic performance is one of the factors applicants should consider when preparing their application.
For the daytime and evening formats, a 3.0 GPA is preferred.
Applicants whose GPA is below 3.0 may have the option to submit an Exception Request Form.
For the online format, a 3.0 GPA is recommended but is not presented as an absolute requirement.
Since Pepperdine does not publish an acceptance percentage, applicants should not assume that meeting the GPA recommendation guarantees admission.
What Do You Need to Apply?
The application generally includes several components.
Applicants may need to provide:
- Completed application form
- Official transcripts
- Two letters of recommendation
- Statement of purpose
- Academic and professional information
The statement of purpose should discuss areas such as professional interests, career goals, cultural diversity experiences, and the applicant’s reasons for pursuing graduate-level MFT training.
International applicants must also meet the applicable English-language requirements.
Is the GRE Required for Pepperdine MFT?
The answer depends on the program format.
For the daytime program, the GRE is required, although applicants can request a waiver.
For the evening and online programs, the GRE is not required.
Applicants should therefore check the requirements for their specific format rather than assuming that the same admissions rules apply to all Pepperdine MFT students.
Psychology Coursework Requirements
The daytime program expects applicants to have a strong background in psychology.
Applicants may qualify through a psychology or closely related bachelor’s degree, or through specified undergraduate coursework.
Relevant coursework can include:
- Abnormal Psychology
- Behavioral Principles or Learning
- Cognitive Psychology
- Clinical or Counseling Psychology
- General Psychology
- Human or Lifespan Development
- Research Methods
- Statistics
The evening format does not require prerequisite courses before enrollment. However, students who do not have recent psychology coursework may be required to complete foundation classes.
The online program does not require prerequisite coursework before enrollment.
Pepperdine MFT Class and Cohort Sizes
Available program information provides some insight into the size of the different formats.
The daytime program has an entering cohort of approximately 22 to 23 students.
The average evening classroom size is approximately 25 students, while the online format averages around 14 students per class.
The program reports a student-to-faculty ratio of approximately 12:1.
These figures can help applicants understand the learning environment, but they should not be interpreted as an admissions-rate statistic.
Clinical Experience and Practicum
Clinical training is an important part of the MFT curriculum.
Students complete at least 700 placement hours during the program, together with the direct client-contact requirements associated with California licensure.
Clinical practicum begins during the second term.
Pepperdine’s clinical training team maintains relationships with more than 130 approved mental health agencies throughout Southern California. Students may complete their clinical experience through external agencies as well as university-affiliated counseling centers.
The exact placement experience can vary between students and locations.
Pepperdine MFT Tuition
The cost of the program depends on the selected format.
Based on the published 2025-2026 tuition information, estimated tuition was approximately:
Daytime: $125,860
Evening: Approximately $97,800 to $107,580
Online: Approximately $125,860 to $138,040
These amounts refer to estimated tuition and may not include additional fees.
A 2026-2027 per-unit tuition rate had not been published in the information reviewed.
Daytime, Evening, and Online Options
Daytime Program
The daytime program is based at the Malibu campus and uses a cohort-based structure.
During the first semester, students generally attend classes multiple days per week. Later semesters are structured around the practicum schedule.
Students begin clinical practicum during the second term.
Evening Program
The evening program is offered at several Southern California locations.
Classes are primarily scheduled during weekday evenings, with some weekend sessions.
Unlike the daytime format, the evening program provides multiple entry terms, including fall, spring, and summer.
Online Program
Pepperdine’s online MFT program is completely online.
It combines asynchronous coursework with weekly live classes. Students may study full-time or part-time.
Clinical training is completed within the student’s local community, with supervision arranged according to program requirements.
The online format provides four annual start periods: winter, spring, summer, and fall.
Latinx Communities Specialization
Pepperdine also provides a specialized MFT option focused on Latinx Communities.
This is a cohort-based evening program offered at the Irvine campus.
The curriculum includes Latinx-focused coursework, community-based approaches, systemic perspectives, and Spanish-language development.
The specialization is intended for students who want training related to working with Latinx individuals, couples, families, and communities.
Does Pepperdine Publish MFT Student Outcomes?
Pepperdine does not publish an official MFT acceptance rate.
It also does not provide specific published figures for graduation rate, job placement rate, or licensure rate in the information reviewed.
The program states that its first-time BBS examination pass rate equals or exceeds the state average, but an exact percentage is not provided.
For this reason, applicants should distinguish between a stated performance goal and a published numerical outcome.
What Can Applicants Do to Strengthen Their Application?
Because there is no official acceptance-rate percentage, applicants should concentrate on meeting the requirements for their chosen program format.
A strong application should include complete transcripts, appropriate recommendations, a carefully prepared statement of purpose, and any required testing or prerequisite coursework.
Applicants should also make sure they understand whether their selected format requires the GRE and whether their academic background satisfies the psychology foundation requirements.
Pepperdine MFT Application Deadlines
Deadlines differ according to the format and admission term.
For example, the daytime program’s Fall 2027 complete application deadline is February 1, 2027.
The evening program has separate deadlines for its Spring 2027 and Summer 2027 cohorts.
The online program has four start periods each year, with deadlines established for individual cohorts.
Because admission dates can change, applicants should confirm the current deadline before submitting an application.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Pepperdine MFT acceptance rate?
Pepperdine does not publish an official acceptance-rate percentage for its MFT program. There is not enough publicly reported application and admission data to calculate a reliable percentage.
How many students enter Pepperdine’s MFT program?
The daytime program has an entering cohort of approximately 22 to 23 students. Average classroom sizes are approximately 25 students for the evening format and 14 students for the online format.
Is a 3.0 GPA required?
A 3.0 GPA is preferred for the daytime and evening programs. Applicants below that level may submit an Exception Request Form. For the online program, a 3.0 GPA is recommended rather than listed as an absolute requirement.
Does Pepperdine MFT require the GRE?
The daytime program requires the GRE, although a waiver can be requested. The evening and online formats do not require the GRE.
Can I complete Pepperdine MFT online?
Yes. Pepperdine offers a fully online MFT format with asynchronous coursework and weekly live classes. Clinical training is completed in the student’s community.
How long does the program take?
The daytime program takes approximately two years. The evening and online formats generally take between 2.5 and 3 years.
Does Pepperdine publish an exact MFT acceptance percentage?
No. An official acceptance-rate percentage is not provided in the available program information.
Conclusion
The Pepperdine MFT acceptance rate is not publicly reported as an official percentage. While Pepperdine provides information about cohort sizes, admissions requirements, GPA expectations, program formats, and clinical training, those details cannot be used to calculate an accurate acceptance rate without the total number of applicants and admitted students.
For prospective students, the most useful approach is to review the requirements for the specific Pepperdine MFT format they plan to pursue. Daytime, evening, and online students can have different requirements, particularly regarding the GRE and psychology coursework.
Applicants should also confirm current tuition, deadlines, admission requirements, and program details directly with Pepperdine before submitting an application.
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