A traditional family is difficult to define in the 21st century. The historic view of the “Leave It To Be Beaver” family unit has long since changed from what was considered an ideal family. Now, families are being formed with the single parent, blended families created from remarriage, grandparents assuming parental/guardian roles for their grandchildren or same-sex couples raising adopted children. The nontraditional has become the norm.
Marriage has been much in the news lately with the Supreme Court deliberating on the rights of same-sex couples to marry and the subsequent benefits involved; which will, again, redefine our concept of traditional marriage. Yet, beyond the political and religious aspects of the Supreme Court decision, there is an alarming failure rate in America of marriages.
According to the American Psychological Association, about 40 to 50 percent of marriages (that number jumps to 60% for remarriages) in the United States ends in divorce. Some of the factors influencing that alarming statistic are the age at which a couple marries, education, premarital cohabitation, income, premarital pregnancy and religious beliefs.
Psychologists have long known the effects of divorce on the family unit. Children of parents who remain married typically do better than their single-parent counterparts. And, while not all children of divorced parents will experience lasting emotional and social effects, studies have shown that single-parent children may be more prone to higher school dropout, teen pregnancy or juvenile delinquency rates.
What can be done? This is where the work of Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) comes into play. There is evidence that marital education, family counseling and support services can improve communication and problem solving skills between couples and encourage healthy marriages.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics states mental health and family counselors can expect a median salary ranging from $32,530 to $48,060, with an expected job outlook of 29% as healthcare legislation requires insurance companies to cover mental health treatment. Marriage and Family Counselors may work in private clinics, hospitals or outpatients centers.
There are accredited, online programs offering masters degrees in Marriage and Family Counseling (MFT).
Using the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education, (COAMFTE) as a base guide, we’ve collected some online MFT programs based, first, on program cost (lowest to highest), accreditation and core curriculum to help you determine a program that best suits your needs.
It’s important to remember that Marriage and Family Counselors are licensed by states, so be certain the educational program you select meets your particular state’s needs and requirements.
#1. Eisner Institute for Professional Studies
Based in Encino, California, the Eisner Institute for Professional Studies is approved by the California Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education and offers an MFT program that is eligible for licensure in California. The MFT program is approved by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS.)
Estimated Cost: $110 per credit hour
Length of Program: 90 credit hours
Curriculum Snapshot: Human Cultural Diversity,
Family Therapy, Developmental Psychology(Life-span), Introduction to Research, Case Conference/Practicum,Foundations of Psychotherapy, Group Counseling, Psychopathology, Alcohol and Chemical Dependency, Applied Psychotherapy-Cognitive-Behavioral
#2. Northcentral University
Started in 1996, Northcentral University offers a COAMFTE accredited Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy degree online. This program was the first distance-based master’s-level marriage and family therapy program to earn the highly-coveted COAMFTE accreditation.Practicum/internships can be completed in your local area with supervision by NCU administrative faculty and staff, along with your local supervisor. Additionally, for students who live in states requiring more than 45 credit hours for licensure, students may take additional Northcentral University courses to meet that requirement.
Estimated Cost: $848 per credit hour
Length of Program: 45 credit hours
Curriculum Snapshot: Foundations for Graduate Study in MFT, Treatment Planning and Traditional Family Therapy, Recovery-Oriented Care and Postmodern Family Therapy, Systemic Evaluation and Case Management, Legal, Ethical and Professional Development in MFT,Psychopathology, Diagnosis, and Systemic Treatment
#3. Walden University
Walden University, founded in 1970, has a general, online program in Family and Marriage Therapy; but, also offers five specializations in Addiction Counseling, Career Counseling, Forensic Counseling, Military Families and Culture and Trauma and Crisis Counseling. The program is accredited by Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) which is a requirement for licensure in many states.
Estimated Cost: $465 per credit hour
Length of Program: 90 credit hours
Curriculum Snapshot: Foundations of Graduate Study in Counseling, Introduction to Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling, Techniques in Counseling, Counseling and Psychotherapy Theories, Ethics and Legal Issues in Counseling, Lifespan Development, Research and Program Evaluation, Multicultural Counseling, Substance Abuse Counseling
#4. Palo Alto University
The Palo Alto University M.A. Counseling: Emphasis in Marriage, Family and Child Counseling degree combines empirical study with extensive counseling training. With successful completion of the program, students will be eligible for licensure in California; however, out-of-state students will want to verify the degree will satisfy their individual state’s requirements.
Estimated Cost: $467 per credit hour
Length of Program: 90 credit hours
Curriculum Snapshot: Counseling Theory, Life Span Development, California required workshop- Aging and Long Term Care, Professional Identity, Clinical Interviewing, Legal & Ethical Foundations, Workshop – Child Abuse and Reporting, Psychopathology & Psychodiagnosis I
#5. Capella University
Capella University’s The Harold Abel School of Social and Behavioral Sciences has a blended COAMFTE accredited master’s program that includes online coursework, residencies, and field experiences. The program requires 100 hours of practicum work and 600 hours of an internship, which may be performed locally, with the approval of Capella University.
Estimated Cost: $487 per credit hour
Length of Program: 92 credit hours
Curriculum Snapshot: Survey of Research in Human Development for Professional Counselors, Assessment, Tests, and Measures, Principles of Psychopathology: Diagnosis and Treatment, Foundations of Addiction and Addictive Behavior, Theories of Personality, Introduction to Marriage and Family Counseling/Therapy
#6. Touro University Worldwide
The online division of The Touro College and University System in Los Alamitos, California, TUW provides a MA in Marriage and Family Therapy is approved by the California Board of Behavior Sciences and qualifies students for licensure in California, as well as many other states. Touro is a system of Jewish-sponsored nonprofit higher and professional education institutions.
Estimated Cost: $500 per credit hour
Length of Program: 60 credit hours
Curriculum Snapshot: Contemporary Issues in Marriage & Family Therapy, Foundations of Psychopathology, Couples Counseling, Child-Focused Family Therapy, Development Within the Family Life Cycle, Psychopharmacology, Society, Culture and Gender: A Multi‐cultural Perspective, Assessment & Testing for the Marriage & Family Therapist
#7. Concordia University-Nebraska
Concordia University-Nebraska offers a M.S. in Family Life. Ranked in the top tier of U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges 2015 Midwest Regional Universities category. Concordia’s program is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of its North Central Association.
Estimated Cost: $506 per credit hour
Length of Program: 36 credit hours
Curriculum Snapshot: Lifespan Development,Theory and Dynamics of Family Relations, Marriage and Family Relationships, Family Dysfunctions-Crisis Intervention, Parent Education, Sexuality and the Family, Professional Ethics, Family Resource Management, Family Law and Public Policy
#8. Liberty University
This Master of Arts in Marriage & Family Therapy requires both a 3 credit hour internship and 3 credit hour practicum for completion. The program emphasizes individual and group counseling theories and techniques with an integration of faith and ethical and professional issues in counseling.
Estimated Cost: $520 per credit hour
Length of Program: 60 credit hours
Curriculum Snapshot: Marriage & Family Counseling, Counseling Children & Their Families, Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy (M.A.), Ethical & Legal Issues in Counseling, Human Growth & Development, Social & Cultural Foundations in Counseling, Counseling Techniques & the Helping Relationship
#9. Messiah College
This Christian oriented school was founded in 1909 in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania and offers a MA in Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling. The program meets the standards of CACREP and prepares students to become licensed in Pennsylvania.
Estimated Cost: $595 per credit hour
Length of Program: 60 credit hours
Curriculum Snapshot: Foundations of Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling, Psychopathology and Diagnosis across the Lifespan, Contemporary and Integrative Theories of Family Counseling, Premarital and Marital Counseling, Human Sexuality, Substance Abuse/Addiction and Families, Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling Skills and Practice
#10. Mid-America Christian University
Mid-America Christian University (MACU), located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, is accredited through the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA) and was founded in 1953 and is affiliated with the Church of God. This MS blends critical thinking, scientific method and discipline specific training with a faith-based perspective.
Estimated Cost: $598 per credit hour
Length of Program: 48 credit hours
Curriculum Snapshot: Career Assessment and Counseling, Theories and Principles of Counseling and Psychotherapy, Individual Psychotherapy Techniques, Marriage and Family Systems and Treatment, Marital and Family Treatment Techniques, Multi-Cultural Treatment Planning for Individuals and Families, Ethics and Professional Studies
#11. Brandman University
Established in 1958, Brandman University has frequently been recognized by U.S. News and World Report for its online program excellence. Brandman University offers special tuition rates for active military and spouses. Accredited by WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), the MA in Marriage and Family Therapy meets the licensure for requirements in California.
Estimated Cost: $600 per credit hour ($350-$440 Active Military and Spouse)
Length of Program: 69 credit hours
Curriculum Snapshot: The Counseling Process, Life Span Development/Aging and Long session Care, Psychological Assessment, Research & Bibliographic Methods, Ethical & Professional Issues, Family Therapy Theories and Techniques: A Modern Emphasis, Family Systems Theories and Techniques: A Postmodern Emphasis, Marital Systems & Studies and Domestic Violence
#12. Ambridge University
This Alabama school was founded in 1967 and it’s primary instructional delivery is online. The school is accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS-COC) and offers a MA in Marriage and Family Therapy. The school assesses a $650 Comprehensive Fee per semester.
Estimated Cost: $750 per credit hour
Length of Program: 60 Credit Hours
Curriculum Snapshot: Ethics and Professional Identity, Community and Social Systems, Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy, Theories of Marriage and Family Therapy, Human Development, Human Sexual Development, Theories of Personality Development, Marriage and Family Development, Social and Multicultural Diversity, Interpersonal and Family Dynamics, Marital and Family Systems
#13. Regent University
Regent University is a faith based school that offers a MA in Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling. Accredited by CACREP, the program has a minimal residency requirement to be completed at their campus in Virginia Beach, Virginia, typically during the summer.
Estimated Cost: $780 per credit hours
Length of Program: 60 credit hours
Curriculum Snapshot: Orientation to the Counseling Profession, Research & Statistics, Counseling Skills & Techniques, Theories of Counseling, Assessment Techniques in Counseling, Career & Lifestyle Development,Human Growth & Development, Concepts of Family Systems
#14. Seton Hill University
Seton Hill, founded in 1885, is a Catholic liberal arts university located in Greensburg, PA and offers a M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy. The hybrid program emphasizes social diversity and the development of self in the therapist as essential in clinical work. The Seton Hill program is accredited by the COAMFATE and requires supervised clinic practice.
Estimated Cost: $850 per credit hour
Length of program: 60 credit hours
Curriculum Snapshot: Group Dynamics, Multicultural Therapy, Couples and Family Systems, Couples Therapy, Family Therapy, Families in Larger Systems, Contemporary Issues in Clinical Practice
#15. Antioch University New England
Established in 1852, Antioch University is located in Keene, New Hampshire and provides a hybrid MA in Marriage and Family Therapy. Accredited by COAMFTE, requires 500 face-to-face clinical hours which includes 250 hours working with couples or families.
Estimated Cost: $949 per credit hour
Length of Program: 61 credit hours
Curriculum Snapshot: Foundational Theories of MFT,Psychopathology, Professional Seminar in MFT I & Practicum I, Family Counseling Approaches to Addictions, Special Issues in Family Therapy: Domestic Violence & Larger Systems, Postmodern Approaches to Family Therapy, Human Development, Social/Cultural Diversity
