To become a licensed marriage and family therapist in the state of California, applicants must become an associate MFT and perform over 3,000 hours of supervised work. There are several paths to earn the necessary academic credentials, specifically through online MFT programs in California. Take a look at some of the programs below.
Consider a Featured Online MFT Program
| School and Program Information | Online Program? Entry Requirements | Course Information |
|---|---|---|
| Pepperdine University Master's in Clinical Psychology | ✔ Online No GRE Required Bachelor's Degree Required | Become a Licensed Professional Counselor Learn MoreComplete in 27 months |
| University of Denver Online MA in School Counseling Designed to adhere to CACREP standards | ✔ Live, online classes No GRE Required; Minimum GPA 2.5 Required | Earn your degree in as few as 24 months Learn More |
| University of Southern California Online Master of Education (ME) in School Counseling Prepares you for school counseling credential | ✔ Live, online classes No GRE requirement | Bachelor’s degree and minimum 2.5 GPA required Learn More |
| Capella University Master's Degree in Counseling  CACREP Accredited | ✔ Online No GRE—No Entrance Exam | Choose from Addictions, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy, or School Counseling specialties Learn More |
| Northcentral University Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology - Counseling Psychology COAMFTE Accredited | ✔ Online GRE Scores Not Required | Earn a degree in Counseling Psychology, Gerontology, or Substance-Related and Addictive Disorder Learn More |
| University of Southern California Master of Social Work Accredited by the CSWE | ✔ Campus, Online No GRE Required | Tailor your degree with specializations in mental health, children and families, or social change and innovation. Learn More |
What COAMFTE-Accredited MFT Degree is the Most Popular?
As you consider popular online MFT programs in California, a good starting point is the MFT program offered by Alliant International University.
Alliant International University's MA in Marital and Family Therapy Degree
Based in Irvine, this institution has an online Master of Arts in Marital and Family Therapy. The entire 60-credit hour curriculum is available in a virtual format, one of only a handful of COAMFTE-accredited programs to offer this. Example courses include Diversity and the Family, Introduction to Psychopathology, and Trauma and Crisis Intervention.
There is a special concentration in Chemical Dependency for students who want to work with patients struggling with alcohol and drug addiction.
Students will have 500 hours of hands-on training, which should prepare them to enter the workforce after graduation. This program normally takes at least two years to complete, and students can choose between the semester or term format.
Other COAMFTE-Accredited Degrees in California
Additional options for an online MFT program in California include:
Northcentral University’s MA in Marriage and Family Therapy
Northcentral University offers a Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy, which can prepare students to help families as licensed therapists. The program also helps ensure a graduate’s therapy practice follows ethical standards, and is culturally sensitive so that all patients feel comfortable in their sessions.
There are many specializations to customize the degree, including LGBTQ Couple and Family Therapy, Systemic Treatment of Addictions, Child and Adolescent Family Therapy, and Systemic Sex Therapy. At least 45 credit hours are needed to complete the program, which can be accomplished in approximately 33 months. New classes begin every Monday, providing easy flexibility for students to begin the program.
San Diego State University’s MFT Program
San Diego State’s Department of Counseling and School Psychology offers an MFT program specifically for full-time students. The program normally takes 2 ½ years to complete, with three summers that start in June of the first school year and finish at the end of August.
Students can gain clinical experience through practicum sessions and therapy training, working with diverse cultural groups and exploring theories in marriage and family therapy. Graduates have commonly worked at nonprofit organizations, health care organizations, and private practices after completing this program. Example courses include Professional Issues in Mental Health Practice, Violence in Couples’ Relationships, and Systemic Treatment of Substance Abuse.
MFT Licensure in California
To obtain an MFT license, applicants should hold a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy and become an associate MFT. This normally requires paying a fee and completing an application, as well as providing fingerprints, recent photographs, and verification of education.
Applicants must pass a criminal background check and the California Law and Ethics Exam. This must be taken to renew the AMFT registration on an annual basis. After applicants complete 3,000 total supervised work hours in a postgraduate setting, they can take the clinical exam to become a licensed MFT (LMFT). There are slightly different guidelines for those looking to become certified for out-of-state practice, such as different fingerprinting procedures and verification forms.
California Board of Behavioral Sciences
1625 North Market Blvd, Suite S-200
Sacramento, CA 95834
Website
Licensure:
- Marriage and Family Therapist and Marriage
- Family Therapist Intern
Sources:
- Board of Behavioral Sciences, “Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist”
- Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education, “About COAMFTE”
- Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education, “Accreditation Resources”
- Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education, “Directory of COAMFTE Accredited Programs”
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Marriage and Family Therapists
LMFT Careers and Salaries in California
In addition to the many available online MFT programs in California, the state has hundreds of marriage and family therapist positions. California also has the highest employment level of MFTs in the country with over 32,620 employed positions. That number is more than seven times the amount of the next highest-employed state, New Jersey, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
The median annual wage for marriage and family therapists in California is $55,540, which is slightly above the national average, according to the BLS. Some of the more notable companies offering MFT positions include Kaiser Permanente which is based in Oakland and operates in eight different states, Pathways of California, and Volunteers of America in Los Angeles.
Popular Online MFT Programs
University of West Alabama 🗹 Online 🗗 Masters
Campus-Based COAMFTE Accredited California MFT Degrees
The COAMFTE (Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education) is the top accrediting board for MFT programs. Below is a list of COAMFTE accredited MFT programs in California. You can view online COAMFTE accredited MFT counseling programs or all California counseling degrees.
- MA in Marital and Family Therapy
- PsyD in MFT
- MA in Marital and Family Therapy
- PsyD in MFT
- MA in Marital and Family Therapy
- PsyD in MFT
- MA in Marital and Family Therapy
- PsyD in MFT
- Online MA in Marital and Family Therapy
- MA in Marriage and Family Therapy
- MS in Marriage and Family Therapy
- MA in Marriage and Family Therapy
- MA in Marriage and Family Therapy
- MS - MFT Program
- Online DMFT
- Online DMFT
- PhD in MFT
- Online MA in Marriage and Family Therapy
- Online PhD in MFT
- M.S. in Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy
- MA in Marital and Family Therapy
