Online MFT Programs
Online MFT Programs are a great way for busy people to engage in a degree program that fits their skill set. Individuals interested in helping other people, couples and families get through difficult times often choose to work as choose marriage and family therapists (MFTs). There are more than 50,000 marriage and family therapists in the U.S. according to the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. The requirements for this career include completing an accredited MFT degree. More and more students every year are looking into online MFT Programs.
What are Online MFT Programs?
An online MFT program is an educational program that is taught online through distance learning and teaches students about marriage and family therapy. It may be very similar to a traditional MFT program in terms of credits and curriculum, but the students learn through an online format rather than attend classes on campus every day. Distance learning format may consist of live online sessions such as Zoom, recorded lectures or streaming videos to name a few.
Benefits of Online MFT Programs
There are many benefits to online MFT programs.
- They offer flexibility.
- Online programs consist of evening and weekend classes as opposed to strictly weekdays.
- Students can learn on their own schedule.
- Students who need additional time have that extra time.
- Students can continue to work or meet other obligations and still earn the degree.
Earning a graduate degree in marriage and family therapy online is a convenient way for a student to prepare his or herself for a rewarding career that pays well and has good career growth. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts these professionals should see job growth of 22 percent between 2019 and 2029. Marriage and family therapists nationwide earned an average annual wage of $49,610 according to a 2019 BLS report.
Here is a list of several online MFT programs:
Abilene Christian University M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy
The Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy (MMFT) program at Abilene Christian University is a graduate program that is offered both online and on campus. The program offers students a thesis or non-thesis option. The program is 66 credits for thesis students and 60 credits for non-thesis students. This two-year program includes a required 500-hour clinical internship, which is often completed at the college’s onsite Marriage and Family Institute.
Amridge University M.A. in Marriage and Family Counseling
The Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Counseling is a 100% online program that is offered through the college’s School of Education and Human Services. This 60-credit program can be completed in seven semesters of full-time study. The program has a blended curriculum of theory, courses and clinical internships. It is the student’s responsibility to find a place to complete the internship. Upon graduation, the student is prepared to obtain licensure.
Antioch University M.A. in Couple and Family Therapy
The master’s degree in couples and family therapy program at Antioch University can be completed in as little as two years (eight quarters) or up to six years depending on the student’s time and commitment. The 75 required credits consist of 56 credits of courses, 19 internship credits and 12 credits of electives. They can also specialize in areas like drama therapy, art therapy, play therapy, multicultural therapy and sex therapy.
California Southern University M.A. in Psychology, MFT Focus
The Master of Arts in Psychology program at California State University is a 60-credit program that’s offered on campus and online with an emphasis on Marriage and Family Therapy. It’s designed for students interested in working as a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor or a Marriage and Family Therapist. This program can be completed in four years and does not allow elective courses. All required courses must be completed to successfully earn the degree.
California State University – Northridge M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy/Counseling
The online Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy program at CSU is a 72-credit program that offers a state-of-the-art curriculum that includes research, theory-based courses and clinical experiences that can lead to licensure as a licensed professional counselor or a marriage and family therapist in most states. It also offers several areas of specialization. For purposes of licensure, the student must complete 3,000 hours of supervised clinical work and pass a written examination.
Dallas Baptist University M.A. in Family Ministry
The Master of Arts in Family Ministry program is a graduate program that offers students the options of online courses, hybrid courses, and evening and weekend courses. This 36-credit hour program includes 18 hours of core courses, nine hours of major-related courses and nine hours of courses focusing on the area of concentration the student chooses, of which there are several available.
John Brown University M.S. in Counseling MFT
JBU offers flexible online learning lessons as well as face-to-face classes one evening a week for this Master of Science program in counseling with a concentration in marriage and family therapy. Their flexibility terms, which take up to eight weeks, allow the student to only focus on one or two classes at a time. This program encourages working in a related clinical setting while learning so that the student can obtain hands-on training in the field.
Liberty University M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy
The Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy is an online program that, while not a religious college, integrates Christian principles with evidence- and fact-based counseling. This 60-credit program takes about two and one-half years to complete and is also available on campus. The school offers eight different start times per year and runs eight-week terms. This program prepares students for licensure or advanced learning in a doctoral degree program.
Northcentral University Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy
Northcentral University offers an online Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy program that is accredited by more than one agency. Students develop critical thinking and research skills needed to work successfully as marriage and family therapists. The program requires students to complete MFT courses, practicum courses and clinical internships. NCU also offers a certificate and doctoral degree program in marriage and family therapy.
Palo Alto University M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy
The Master of Arts in Counseling with a Concentration in Marriage, Family and Child Counseling is an online program that requires students to complete not just courses but also 700 hours of counseling-based practical experience with 280 hours being actual counseling experience. PAU assists students in finding internship opportunities. This program meets the requirements so graduates can obtain licensure in the state of California as well as other states.
Pepperdine University Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy
The Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology with an Emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy at Pepperdine University is offered as an online and on-campus program. It’s a two-year program that has students participating in clinical education the second term. Online students typically complete the program in 27 months and are prepared for licensure upon completion. Students have a choice of more than 130 clinical sites in which to complete their internships.
Regent University M.A. in Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling
The online Master of Arts in Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling offers students not just courses to complete but hands-on clinical training on family dynamics and systems. They also have the opportunity to complete two weeklong residencies in area clinics while networking with other students and getting their feedback. This program can also act as a foundation for the doctoral degree program.
University of Colorado Denver – Anschutz Medical Campus M.A. Couple and Family Counseling Therapy
The Master of Arts in Couple and Family Counseling Therapy Program at the UC- Denver is an online program that can be completed in three to four years or once the required 63 credits are completed. This program is also offered on campus through the college’s School of Education and Human Development. Although listed as online, this program is more of a hybrid program with classes offered in three-hour blocks Monday through Thursday.
University of Massachusetts M.S. in Family Therapy
The Master of Science in Family Therapy at UM is a flexible program that’s designed to fit almost any student’s schedule. Students obtain the skills to offer addiction counseling, clinical mental health counseling Christian counseling and more. This program offers online and evening classes with students prepared for licensure exams upon graduation.
University of West Alabama M.S. in Family Counseling
The Master of Science in Family Counseling at U of WA is a 100 percent online program that allows students to earn their degree at a convenient time, at the student’s pace and for an affordable price. They can also customize the curriculum to meet their career goals.
Wake Forest University Master’s in Counseling and Human Services
The Master of Arts in Counseling is a 100% online program that offers concentrations in school counseling and in clinical mental health. The program includes major-related courses as well as clinical education. Once the student successfully completes this program, he or she is prepared to take certification exams and prepare for licensure.
If you are interested in other Master’s in Psychology programs, you can research these here.