To become a licensed marriage and family therapist in the state of California, applicants must become an associate MFT (AMFT) and perform over 3,000 hours of supervised work. Several paths are available to earn the necessary academic credentials, specifically through online MFT programs in the state of California. Take a look at some of the following programs:
Consider a Featured Online MFT Program
| School and Program Information | Online Program? Entry Requirements | Course Information |
|---|---|---|
| Pepperdine University Master’s Clinical Psychology (Licensed Professional Counselor) | ✔ Online No GRE Required Bachelor's Degree Required | Bachelor's holders can prepare to become a licensed professional counselor online. With no GRE scores required to apply, the 24 month online MA in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine allows you to advance your career and be a catalyst of change. Learn More |
| 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 |
| Northwestern University Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy COAMFTE Accredited | ✔ Online GRE Not Required Bachelor's Required | The COAMFTE-accredited [email protected] is offered by The Family Institute at Northwestern University. Full-time students can complete the program in as few as 21 months. No GRE is required, but applicants must hold an undergraduate degree. Full and part-time tracks available. 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 and PhD in Counseling  CACREP Accredited | ✔ Online GRE Not Required | Choose from Addictions, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Human Behavior. Marriage and Family Therapy, or School Counseling specialties Learn More |
| Grand Canyon University Master's Degree in Counseling HLC and NASAC Accredited | ✔ 100% Online Over 14 Specializations Available | Affordable with No Out of State Tuition Learn More |
| Pepperdine University Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology Degrees LPC/MFT emphases available. | ✔ Online No GRE Required. Bachelor's Degree Required. | Choose your path at Pepperdine: pursue licensure as either an LMFT or LPC and serve diverse clients with our online master’s in clinical psychology. GRE scores are not required to apply, and you can earn your degree in as few as 27 months. Take the next step toward creating a positive social impact today. 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 |
| Pepperdine University Master of Arts in Psychology Open to all undergrad majors | ✔ Online No GRE Required | Earn a Master’s in Psychology Online in 18 Months Learn More |
Accredited Online MFT Programs in California
There are several universities with accredited online MFT programs in California. Alliant International University is one example, offering a Master of Arts in Marital and Family Therapy.
Alliant International University’s MA in Marital and Family Therapy Degree
Alliant International University’s Master of Arts in Marital and Family Therapy is a 60-credit hour curriculum 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’s a special accredited concentration, 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 California MFT Programs
Additional California MFT programs that are available online include the following:
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 that 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; this 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 MS in Marriage and Family Therapy
San Diego State University’s Department of Counseling and School Psychology offers an MFT program specifically for full-time students. The program normally takes 2.5 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, healthcare organizations, and private practices after completing this program. Example courses include Interventions with Children & Adolescents, Multicultural Counseling, and Psychopharmacology.
How to Become an MFT in California
When considering how to become an MFT in California, licensure is a critical first step. To obtain an MFT license, applicants should hold a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy and become an AMFT. 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
https://www.bbs.ca.gov/
Licensure:
- Marriage and Family Therapist and Marriage
- Family Therapist Intern
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 (LMFT) 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 that 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 $55,340, 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.
Find the Right California MFT Program
Looking for further options for popular online counseling programs, including MFT programs in California? Explore some of the available resources that outline programs accepting applications, detailed course information, and licensure tips. Find out more about getting an MFT education, and start your career in marriage and family therapy today.
Sources:
Alliant International University, MA in Marital and Family Therapy
Board of Behavioral Sciences, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education, About COAMFTE
Northcentral University, Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy
San Diego State University, Marriage & Family Therapy
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Marriage and Family Therapists
Popular Online MFT Programs
Liberty University 🗹 Online
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
- M.S. in Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy
- MA in Marital and Family Therapy
