2023 Best Online Master's Degrees in Marriage and Family Therapy

Overview of an Online MFT Program

A master's program in MFT covers theoretical, clinical, and research practices associated with providing professional therapy to couples and families. With the traditional nuclear family becoming less common, students learn how to work with individuals from a range of relational contexts. Coursework and practical hours, in turn, train graduates in techniques meant to help families face life changes, mental health issues, or other challenging circumstances.

An online master's in MFT is designed to prepare students for a career in counseling and equip graduates with the necessary knowledge and experience to take state licensure exams. Furthermore, with the option to enroll fully online, this learning format may be ideal for adults who have busy schedules involving personal, professional, or family obligations.

Cost of Online Marriage and Family Therapy Degrees

In addition to affording the up-front costs of graduate school, students interested in this program should also consider whether pursuing this online degree at a specific school would lead to a long-term payoff in terms of salary.

Notably, online degrees are sometimes cheaper than in-person programs because, in addition to paying lower fees, online students may qualify for in-state tuition regardless of their residency status. Distance learners may also avoid the costs associated with relocating, daily transportation to and from school, and on-campus housing — leading to significant savings.

However, online programs may come with unique costs. For instance, without on-campus library access, distance learners will likely have to purchase all required textbooks. Learning from afar can also require that students pay for cloud storage services hosted by their university.

What You'll Need in Order to Apply

Being accepted into an MFT program may be slightly more difficult when compared to other postbaccalaureate disciplines because students may have to meet unique criteria, such as demonstrating their prior real-world experience in the field. While each school typically sets its own admission requirements for graduate school, some competitive MFT counseling programs expect applicants to pass an interview and have a minimum B grade in child development, sociology, or counseling at the undergraduate level. In general, students will need to meet the following conditions in order to apply to an MFT master's program:

• A bachelor's degree in psychology or a related field with a minimum 3.0 GPA
• 2-5 letters of recommendation describing the candidate's ability to achieve a graduate MFT credential, along with a personal statement or essay
• GRE scores in at least the 50th percentile for each of the verbal, quantitative, and writing sections

Common Courses

The curriculum for an online MFT master's includes classes in psychology, sociology, and clinical research, to name a few. In some cases, students can elect coursework that covers the legal and ethical aspects of providing therapy in familial settings as well as the challenges associated with serving vulnerable populations. They may also choose classes that focus on specializations — such as medication, substance abuse, and sexuality — while developing skills in communication, research, and negotiation. Below is a list of courses students can expect to take in an MFT master's program.

Practicum

Students complete roughly 500 supervised clinical hours as part of an MFT master's degree. This involves interacting directly and indirectly with patients in various clinical settings — such as interviews, assessments, and interventions. In general, full-time MFT master's students spend 20 hours a week completing practicum requirements.

Many online MFT programs help distance learners gain placement at a clinic in their area of residence. Online students typically research where they can complete practicum hours before working with a dedicated faculty member during the application process. It's important to note that some programs may expect online learners to make their own practicum arrangements.

Career Options for MFT Professionals

MFTs may work in schools, hospitals, outpatient centers, and private practice clinics. A master's degree in this field — along with licensure — is designed to prepare graduates in offering counseling services to families and couples. They can also pursue careers in individual and family services, an economic sector that added 165,004 jobs in the last 12 months according to data from Burning Glass, a data analytics company. Specifically, they may find work with Volunteers of America or Sevita Health in parts of the country where demand for their services is high — such as California, Massachusetts, and Minnesota. Below is a list of potential career paths for MFT master's graduates, with salary and job outlook data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Job Outlook for Marriage and Family Therapists

With the need for mental health professionals increasing in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, marriage and family therapists are also in high demand. In fact, as the section above shows, openings for MFT providers are increasing at a higher rate than other client counseling areas — with the exception of substance abuse professionals. In turn, the BLS estimates that there will be 8,500 new positions in this field every year through 2030. These findings correspond to data from Burning Glass, which shows that the job outlook for individual and family services is projected to increase by over 35% in the next decade.

Licensure Requirements

Licensure helps ensure that practicing MFT professionals are effectively trained to offer counseling services. As of 2009, all 50 states require MFT providers to have this stamp of approval. To apply for licensure, MFT graduates must go through their state's licensing board. They need a master's degree and — depending on the jurisdiction — 2,000-4,000 hours of postgraduate clinical experience to meet licensure requirements. Applicants also need to pass board exams and renew their qualification annually, which usually involves completing specific courses and paying a fee. It's important to note that states' licensing boards do not rely on certification from the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy, a professional association that provides resources and information to individuals interested in this field.