Mother reading a book to her baby while the father looks on, seated together in a bright living room Mother reading a book to her baby while the father looks on, seated together in a bright living room

Become an Advocate for Couples and Families

Explore the Online Master’s in Counseling: Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling From the Townsend Institute

Start Your Journey Today

Facilitate Deep, Lasting Change for Families

  • Flexible online learning. Our M.A. in Counseling: Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling is an online program that can be completed in 24-36 months with seven-week courses.
  • CBBS-aligned. Prepare to earn your MFT licensure for California with this California Board of Behavioral Sciences-aligned program.
  • Biblically informed healing. Develop the skills to empower couples and families when they are at their most vulnerable with a biblically informed approach to counseling.
  • Become a culturally competent counselor. Serve the diverse needs of families with effective communication strategies, ethical practices informed by Christian principles, and the skills to help them heal spiritually and holistically.
  • Engage with world-class Christian thought leaders. Personally learn from Dr. John Townsend and experienced instructors who have decades of real-world experience.

Why Choose the Townsend Institute?

  • A different approach to learning. We focus on relational learning, addressing the head and the heart through competence, character, and connection.
  • Founded on experience and research. Dr. John Townsend is a New York Times best-selling author, leadership consultant, psychologist and relationship expert. He has written 35 books, selling 10 million copies, including the top-selling "Boundaries" series.
  • A strong partnership. The Townsend Institute is housed within Concordia University Irvine. Centered on a Lutheran Christian worldview, Concordia is home to a thoughtful and caring community of learners.
CUI campus CUI campus
"Even though I wanted something online, I liked that the Townsend Institute was part of a real, local university. The training, staff, faculty, guest speakers, and learning opportunities have given me the confidence I need to be a valuable asset to the counseling field."

Kelli C.
M.A. Counseling, ’22

I Want to Learn More

Member of the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities
Member of the Concordia University System
WASC | Senior College and University Commission
NCAA Division II
Yellow Ribbon Program

Concordia University Irvine is a private, Christian university that is ranked nationally among the "Top Performers on Social Mobility" universities by U.S. News & World Report. Concordia is accredited by WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) and serves over 5,000 students annually.