What degree is best for marriage and family therapists?

A COAMFTE-accredited master's degree in marriage and family therapy provides direct preparation for an MFT career. Your state may require this type of degree for the licensure process. Some states accept closely related alternatives.

What accreditation is best to become a marriage and family therapist?

States that require specialized degree accreditation usually look for COAMFTE program endorsements. Depending on your state, you may also have a path to MFT licensure if you hold a CACREP-accredited master's degree (or higher) in counseling.

What is the difference between a counselor and a marriage and family therapist?

Counselors generally have a broader scope of professional practice than marriage and family therapists, who focus exclusively on interpersonal issues. While counselors also work in this area, they can also make clinical diagnoses, while marriage and family therapists cannot.

Is a license required to become a marriage and family therapist?

Yes. All states mandate special licensure for marriage and family therapists. To obtain a license, you will need to earn a graduate degree from an accredited program, complete 2,000-4,000 hours of supervised clinical experience, and receive a passing score on the MFT National Examination.

Accredited master's in MFT

Accredited online marriage and family therapy programs can help you train to become a licensed therapist. Learn about accreditation and explore potential career paths.

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Why earn an accredited online master's in marriage and family therapy?

Build authoritative credentials

MFT programs can help you develop advanced clinical and therapeutic skills.

Meet licensing requirements

Accredited online marriage and family therapy programs help you meet state requirements for MFT licensure.

Access more programs

Online learning grants you access to a wider range of school choices and can provide you with a quality education without the need to relocate.

To become a licensed marriage and family therapist (MFT), you will need at least a master's degree. Specially accredited programs offer the most direct and reliable route to earning the credentials you'll need. Explore schooling options and program profiles as you work toward MFT licensure.

Browse accredited online MFT programs

Prestigious

An immersive cohort-based learning experience that is designed to optimize learning outcomes and ensure global networking opportunities.

Flexible

Choose your path with a range of completion options and class times.

Equivalent to on-campus

Earn the same degree and complete the same curriculum as on-campus students.

What is an accredited marriage and family therapy online program?

An accredited program is a graduate program recognized by relevant accrediting bodies, which ensures that you receive a high-quality education and training in marriage and family therapy. Accredited online programs in marriage and family therapy typically cover:

Models for describing the relational theories and systemic structures of couples and family units
Techniques for identifying and assessing interpersonal issues in marriages and families
Clinical intervention and dispute resolution skills
Professional ethics and cultural sensitivity competence

Most programs also include built-in residencies, internships, or other practical training components. While you can complete your academic coursework online, you'll need to complete these requirements in person.

MFT programs typically take a secular approach, but students can also explore faith-oriented learning opportunities. The latter might make a good match if you plan to work in a religious or spiritual setting.

What is the purpose of accreditation?

Accreditation serves multiple important purposes in higher education, including:

Quality assurance
Standardization of skills
Degree recognition and transferability

It also creates a reliable framework for both internal assessments and peer reviews of a program's effectiveness.

The Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) is the primary accreditor of MFT degrees. Many states require that MFT licensure candidates hold a COAMFTE-accredited master's degree or higher.

In some states, master's programs in mental health counseling may offer a path to MFT licensure. Look for counseling programs accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).

To ensure you get the right degree, check licensing requirements with the MFT licensing board in the state where you plan to work. It's best to check this information before you commit to an educational program to ensure that your degree will qualify you to follow your intended career path.

What can you do with an accredited online master's in MFT?

Accredited online marriage and family therapy programs lead most readily to licensure-track MFT careers. Licensing requirements vary by state but share several common features. After completing your bachelor's degree, you'll need:

A master's degree or doctorate in marriage and family therapy or a closely related alternative
2,000-4,000 hours of supervised post-master's clinical experience
A passing score on the MFT National Examination

Some states explicitly require that you earn specially accredited graduate degrees. For specific details, you can refer to the MFT state licensure comparison chart.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), MFTs earned a median salary of $58,510 per year ($28.13 per hour) as of May 2023. The top 10% of earners made more than $104,710 per year. The BLS projects rapid job growth of 16% from 2023–33, along with about 7,500 annual job openings across the decade.

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