Maryland is next to multiple states that do have institutions that offer accredited options. Pennsylvania has numerous program opportunities for both Master's degrees and general post-degrees. For example, LaSalle University offers a Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy that should meet all of Maryland's state licensure requirements.
COAMFTE-Accredited Programs in Maryland
While the University of Maryland is exclusive to graduate-level education within marriage and family therapy, there are alternatives that prospective students can turn to and still pursue a COAMFTE-accredited program.
An additional option for maximum flexibility in pursuing higher education is pursuing an online degree. Syracuse University, also in the Northeast region, offers an online Master's program where students will complete the academic criteria fully online and work clinical practicum sessions locally at a verified venue.
Students should consider the technical requirements and determine if the online program is best for them. Typical needs are a modern computer with a Windows or Mac operating system, and a high-speed internet connection to view and download course lectures and other material.
Consider a Featured Online MFT Program
| School and Program Information | Online Program? Entry Requirements | Course Information |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Lamar University Master of Education in Counseling & Development - Marriage Couple & Family Counseling AAQEP Accredited | ✔ Online Minimum 3.0 Undergrad GPA | Learn how to diagnose mental and emotional disorders and resolve marriage and family conflicts related to divorce, mediation, child rearing, family violence and more. Learn More |
| Touro University Worldwide Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy WSCUC and COAMFTE Accredited | ✔ Online 100% Online | The MAMFT program at TUW is approved by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences, and accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE), and is designed so that graduates are eligible for MFT Licensure in the State of California (and most other states) without requiring any additional coursework. The degree will enable graduates to pursue careers in mental health agencies, government organizations, private practices and elsewhere. Learn More |
| Liberty University MA: Marriage and Family Therapy SACSCOC | ✔ Online Online with required intensives | A Liberty University marriage and family therapy master’s program online can prepare you to help individuals, couples, and families find healing through counseling. Online and on campus. Training Champions for Christ since 1971. Learn More |
| Northcentral University Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy COAMFTE Accredited | ✔ Online GRE Scores Not Required | Earn your masters in Marriage and Family Therapy at Northcentral University. COAMFTE and IACSTE accredited. Learn More |
| Colorado Christian University Clinical Mental Health Counseling, M.A. - Marriage & Family Therapy  CACREP Accredited | ✔ Online Bachelor's Degree | Taught by Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs), preparing you for licensure as a LMFT in a clinical environment. Required to attend a five-day on-campus residency held each summer of the program. Learn More |
| Capella University MS in Marriage and Family Therapy COAMFTE Accredited. | ✔ Online No GMAT or GRE Required | Our COAMFTE-accredited MS in Marriage and Family Therapy features a combination of online education and in-person learning experiences that focus on assessment, diagnosis, treatment, intervention and clinical training. Learn More |
| University of West Alabama Online MS in Family Counseling | ✔ Online Flexible online environment | Programs in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Guidance and Counseling Learn More |
University of Maryland's Masters in Couple and Family Therapy
The Department of Family Science offers students with an accredited Master of Science in Couple and Family Therapy. Students have the ability to choose a path that includes or does not include a thesis project. Those that are looking to pursue a PhD should consider the thesis project, which requires 51 total credit hours to complete.
The non-thesis path requires three less credit hours to complete. Example courses that students will complete includes Research Methods in Family Science, Normal and Abnormal Individual and Family Development, and Theory and Techniques of Family Meditation. To get into the program, prospective students should have at least an undergraduate degree with a 3.0 cumulative GPA or higher.
LMFT Licensure in Maryland
Licensing for marriage and family therapists in the state of Maryland are done through the state’s Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists.
Maryland MFT Licensure Requirements
To meet the educational requirement, students will need to complete at least 60 credit hours of coursework when obtaining at least a Master’s degree. Within this education, there should be a minimum of 300 direct client contact hours and 60 hours of supervision. Coursework should consist of psychopathology, human development, ethics, and similar topics.
There are two exams that need to be completed after education – the national exam and a jurisprudence exam, known as the Maryland Professional Counselors and Therapists Law and Regulations test.
For required hours in supervised practice, it depends on whether the applicant chooses to be a licensed graduate or clinical MFT. The latter is the more traditional route, needing over 2,000 hours of post-graduate practice.
The supervisor must either be a licensed CMFT in the state of Maryland or a supervisor that has been approved by the American Association for Marriage and Family Training (AAMFT). For graduate MFT, they need 100 hours of clinical supervision, and they can apply twice for a license extension that also lasts two years at a time.
Maryland State Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists
4201 Patterson Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21215-2299
Website
LMFT Licensure:
- Licensed Clinical Marriage and Family Therapist
- Licensed Graduate Marriage and Family Therapist
LMFT Careers and Salaries in Maryland
The median salary for marriage and family therapists throughout the state of Maryland is around $49,000 according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
This is slightly lower than the national average, and is a decrease from the neighboring states of Delaware, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. Like many states in the Northeastern portion of the country, there is high employment - at least 1,300 workers in the field.
Baltimore is the most popular location for job opportunities, and those looking for a career should consider Thriveworks, Freedom Healthcare Systems, and Innovative Therapeutic Services.
Popular Online MFT Programs
Liberty University 🗹 Online
Campus-Based COAMFTE Accredited Maryland 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 Maryland. You can view online COAMFTE accredited MFT counseling programs or all Maryland counseling degrees.
- MS in Marriage and Family Therapy
