Marriage and family therapy (MFT) ranks among the fastest-growing counseling specializations. A master's MFT degree marks a critical step in your journey toward becoming a licensed therapist.
This guide explores what to look for in graduate MFT programs and includes a ranked list of leading study opportunities. Use it to research and compare study options as you work toward professional credentialing.
Popular Online Psychology Master's Programs
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Best Master's in Marriage and Family Counseling Programs
#1 The Best Master’s in Marriage and Family Counseling Programs
University of Florida
- Gainesville, FL
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
UF's master's programs in marriage and family counseling or therapy train students in empirical, evidence-based techniques. Learners can choose from two dual-degree tracks, pairing an education-focused master's degree with a postgraduate education specialist designation.
UF's 72-credit program emphasizes clinical proficiencies, analytical skills, and cultural sensitivity. Both dual-degree tracks feature a rigorous CACREP-accredited core covering counseling theory and practice, crisis intervention, and professional ethics.
UF's programs qualify graduates for Registered Intern status in Florida, creating a direct path to licensure in Florida as a mental health counselor or marriage and family therapist.
Percent Online Enrollment
57%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#2 The Best Master’s in Marriage and Family Counseling Programs
Northwestern University
- Evanston, IL
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Available in face-to-face and online formats, Northwestern's MS in marriage in family therapy offers a flexible learning experience. The program is offered in partnership with The Graduate School and The Family Institute at Northwestern University, which has a 50-year history as a leading center of marriage and family therapy education.
Students in both the traditional and online programs complete 500 hours of hands-on therapy training. Campus-based students complete 100% of their hours at The Family Institute.
Full-time campus-based students can complete the program in two calendar years, while online learners have a path to graduation in as little as 21 months.
Percent Online Enrollment
7%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Higher Learning Commission
#3 The Best Master’s in Marriage and Family Counseling Programs
University of Southern California
- Los Angeles, CA
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
USC's MS in marriage and family therapy includes 60 credits and focuses on three key areas: therapeutic proficiencies, evidence-based intervention strategies, and cultural sensitivity. Small class sizes and a close-knit cohort model encourage students to cooperate rather than compete.
The program's community-focused approach to learning includes therapy training sessions, where students offer counseling services to peers in settings that closely replicate real-world practices. Learners also participate in field-based training practicums involving off-campus placements.
USC offers the program in both face-to-face and online formats through its Rossier School of Education. Both formats share the same curriculum and requirements.
Percent Online Enrollment
46%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
#4 The Best Master’s in Marriage and Family Counseling Programs
University of Central Florida
- Orlando, FL
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
UCF's MA in marriage, couple, and family therapy combines intensive classroom study with practical field training. All students in this CACREP-accredited pre-licensure program participate in comprehensive clinical experiences. Placement settings include the UCF Community Counseling and Research Center and off-campus agencies.
Nearly 45 of the program's 63-credit requirements cover specialized individual, couples, and family counseling training. Professional clinical experiences account for a further 12 credits and include an internship and a hands-on practicum.
Upon graduation, students will have accrued 800 hours of clinical experience including 180 hours of supervised session leadership in couples, marriage, and/or family therapy.
Percent Online Enrollment
9%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#5 The Best Master’s in Marriage and Family Counseling Programs
University of Rochester
- Rochester, NY
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
UR's MS in marriage and family therapy emphasizes a biological approach to psychosocial relational skills training. UR imbues its learning experience with this unique scientific focus by offering the program through its Department of Psychiatry.
Covering 60 credits, the COAMFTE-accredited curriculum balances evidence-based clinical techniques with academic theory. It includes a master's project requirement, in which learners complete an in-depth case study, literature review, or research essay.
The program includes a full-year clinical immersion, which students complete during their second year. During these field experiences, students apply their learning to a multicultural client base under the direct tutelage of highly qualified supervisors.
Percent Online Enrollment
14%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
#6 The Best Master’s in Marriage and Family Counseling Programs
Amberton University
- Garland, TX
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Amberton's MA in marriage and family therapy explores counseling techniques, strategies, and theories in the context of developmental psychology. This unique perspective builds a strong foundation for career-long learning and professional development.
The 60-credit curriculum includes 48 credits of core coursework and 12 credits of electives and required graduate classes. Core courses explore counseling theories and psychology studies covering the entirety of the human lifespan.
Graduates of Amberton's program meet the educational requirements needed for therapist licensure in Texas. Amberton offers the program exclusively on campus, and in a hybrid format blending face-to-face and online learning.
Retention Rate
Not provided
Acceptance Rate
Not provided
Percent Online Enrollment
85%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#7 The Best Master’s in Marriage and Family Counseling Programs
University of Maryland-College Park
- College Park, MD
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
UMD's MS in couple and family therapy offers students opportunities to apply their learning at the school's renowned Center for Healthy Families. This UMD institution delivers affordable counseling services to hundreds of clients annually and doubles as a training facility for the next generation of family therapists.
The curriculum combines classroom training with clinical experiences and supervised sessions with clients. Learners complete a minimum of 500 client contact hours, including at least 200 hours with couples or families.
Alums enjoy strong post-graduation outcomes. Since 2015, cohorts have achieved on-time graduation, job placement, and licensure rates of up to 100%.
Percent Online Enrollment
33%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
#8 The Best Master’s in Marriage and Family Counseling Programs
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology at San Diego
- San Diego, CA
- 4 years
- Campus
The Chicago School's MA in marriage, couples, and family therapy is unique in that it is offered through a nonprofit institution focused solely on mental health training. Accredited by COAMFTE, the interdisciplinary program combines elements of psychology with practical topics in clinical counseling. Eligible learners may also take courses at the doctoral level, enhancing the program's appeal to students planning to pursue a doctor of psychology degree.
Intensive practicum components include 300 hours of supervised clinical experience, along with case reporting, presentation, and consultation components. The Chicago School also offers an advanced practicum option, enabling students to deepen their experiential training.
Retention Rate
Not provided
Acceptance Rate
Not provided
Percent Online Enrollment
67%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
#9 The Best Master’s in Marriage and Family Counseling Programs
Pacific Oaks College
- Pasadena, CA
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
The Pacific Oaks master's degree in marriage and family therapy is a strong match for learners interested in the intersection of therapy and social justice. The program emphasizes the social and political contexts of human behavior and interpersonal dynamics. Graduates emerge with advanced and attuned cultural sensitivities for engaging with a diverse client base.
To these ends, Pacific Oaks offers three culturally focused concentration options: African American Family Studies, Latinx Family Studies, and LGBTQIA+ Studies. Learners can also pursue a Trauma Studies specialization independently or alongside any of the three cultural focus options.
Retention Rate
Not provided
Percent Online Enrollment
75%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
#10 The Best Master’s in Marriage and Family Counseling Programs
University of San Diego
- San Diego, CA
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Accredited by COAMFTE, USD's MA in marital and family therapy includes atypically rigorous practical training components. During a 12-month community-based practicum, students accrue at least 1,000 hours of supervised clinical experience — one-third of California's total clinical experience requirements for family therapist licensure.
Learners can also focus their clinical experiences on one or more areas of personal interest. Options include family care, behavioral health, cultural diversity, couples therapy, education, and neurobiology. Since 2016, the program's on-time completion rate has ranged from 82%-97%, and 94%-100% of those alumni have earned licensure.
Percent Online Enrollment
11%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
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What to Look for in a Master's in Marriage and Family Counseling Program
From admission requirements and curriculum details to costs and financial aid, you have much to consider when choosing a master's MFT degree. This point-by-point summary highlights factors to evaluate:
- Curriculum: MFT curricula cover a similar set of core topics. However, if you have specific interests, such as adolescent or military therapy, see how well schools represent them in their curricula or seek a specially concentrated program.
- Internship Requirements: Field learning components are required for accredited programs. In some states, you can also apply supervised experience gained as a student toward your licensing requirements. Consider not only placement settings but also internship durations and whether your state's licensing standards recognize these as supervised experiences.
- Program Format: Format options include face-to-face, fully online, and hybrid programs that blend on-campus and online learning. Campus-based programs offer networking and social advantages, but they also tend to cost more. Online learning is flexible, convenient, and affordable, but demands more self-discipline. Consider your learning needs, personal preferences, and financial impacts.
- Admission Requirements: Each school maintains its admission policies. Some schools are more inclusive, and others are more selective. Research application requirements at target schools and assess whether you match the profile. This graduate application guide may also help.
- Accreditation: Institutional and programmatic accreditation are important, indicating a program meets high academic standards. Consider seeking an MFT degree with COAMFTE accreditation, which may help you qualify more readily for professional certification or licensure.
- Cost and Financial Aid Options: Consider the total price of your MFT degree and account for financial aid and other discounts. Explore school-based financial aid programs. Determine whether you qualify and estimate how much aid you might receive.
Hybrid and Online Options
Fully online programs build convenience and scheduling flexibility into your learning experience. They also make managing outside commitments easier while studying, which is great for working students. Notably, agencies like COAMFTE accredit some exceptional programs with fully online formats.
Hybrid programs offer an alternative for students who want flexibility without entirely foregoing the traditional learning experience. Campus residency requirements vary. Some programs feature low-residency formats, while others have face-to-face components that account for 70% or more of the degree.
In a hybrid program, you have more opportunities to interact and network with peers and faculty. These social elements can help you form connections that may later prove valuable.
However, you should account for practical considerations. If you enroll in a high-residency hybrid program, you must live near campus. This may increase your schooling costs. If cost minimization is your top priority, an accredited, fully online program might make a better match.
Practical Experience Requirements
MFT degrees usually include extensive field training or internship components. Your school may arrange your placement or help you find one independently. Schools often maintain close relationships with local community agencies and therapy providers, which they can leverage to secure student placements.
Field training components generally focus on building assessment, interviewing, documentation skills, and other clinical proficiencies. Students work alongside licensed MFT professionals. In most cases, students accrue hours they can later apply toward their therapist licensing requirements. Experiences may include direct contact hours, relational contact hours, or both.
Time requirements vary, but MFT degrees usually include internships or practicums in the range of 300-500 hours.
Program Outcomes
From an academic standpoint, program outcomes typically include:
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Deep knowledge of standard MFT clinical models and intervention techniques within a human development context
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Preparation for the MFT licensure exam
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Advanced research design, performance, and evaluation skills
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Professional-level abilities in applying clinical techniques to complex situations
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A sound understanding of professional ethics and code-of-conduct standards
With a master's MFT degree, you will likely meet state-level educational requirements for licensure as a marriage or family therapist. You may apply for your license once you meet pre- and post-graduate supervised experience requirements, which vary by state but usually fall in the range of 300-4,000 hours.
According to the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, the number of marriage and family therapists in the U.S. has grown 50 fold since 1970. The Chicago School has linked ongoing demand to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects rapid job growth of 15% from 2022-32.
As of May 2023, the BLS listed the median marriage and family therapist salary at $58,510 annually. The top 90% of reported salaries reached $104,710.
While most people with master's MFT degrees become licensed therapists, you can pursue other career paths.
Frequently Asked Questions About Master's in Marriage and Family Counseling Programs
If you plan to become a licensed therapist, an MFT degree is not only "worth it," but also essential. You must hold a master's degree to qualify for MFT licensure. In addition, graduate degrees translate well to other paths, including doctoral education or other career-track community mental health roles.
MFT stands for "marriage and family therapy" or "marriage and family therapist." This counseling specialization focuses on diagnosing and addressing problematic interpersonal and inter-familial dynamics and treating past traumas and their present-day impacts.
Psychotherapist is an umbrella term for mental health professionals. While MFTs have extensive psychotherapy training, their role focuses more on interpersonal relationships within the couple or family dynamic than it does on personalized counseling. In contrast, psychotherapists focus more on individualized sessions than they do on couples, families, or groups.
MFT is a career-focused counseling specialization, while a master of social work (MSW) is a degree designation. MSW programs prepare students for careers as social workers, while MFT programs more directly lead to therapist or counseling licensure.
Page last reviewed on May 17, 2024. This page's information — not including school descriptions — was reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by Psychology.org.
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