Marriage and Family Therapist Degrees in Tennessee
Lee University in Cleveland is slightly bigger than Lipscomb University in Nashville, and both are medium-sized private institutions.
Lee University Master's in Marriage and Family Therapy
The Christ-centered university offers a Master's degree in marriage and family therapy that implements faith and science-based therapy solutions and prepares students for the profession.
At least five semesters are required to complete the program, which requires 60 credit hours. Clinical experiences on campus will prepare students to deal with real-world scenarios on hundreds of hours of training and experience.
MFT Courses
Example courses in the curriculum include Traditional and Systemic Therapies, Human Growth and Development, and Family Stress and Resilience. Admission requirements for the program include an undergraduate degree, GRE scores if the GPA is not high enough, and potential students may be interviewed.
Prior to taking any courses, students will need to get a background check through the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation to determine if they are eligible to participate in practicum coursework.
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 |
| Our Lady of the Lake University Online Master of Arts in Counseling | ✔ Online No GRE required. | Help students navigate the emotional terrain of getting an education, empower people of all ages to overcome mental health hurdles, or support someone recovering from drug addiction as they obtain or maintain a job, with the Master of Arts in Counseling from OLLU. Learn More |
| National Louis University M.S. in Counseling CACREP Accredited | ✔ Online No GRE Required. Bachelor’s Degree Required. Minimum GPA 3.0. | CACREP accredited program prepares you to work as a counselor in schools, private practices and mental health clinics. Concentration in Addictions, School or Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Learn More |
Lipscomb University Master of Marriage and Family Therapy
The Master of Marriage and Family Therapy is a 60-credit hour program that explores various problems and conflicts within relationships and family, such as grieving, addiction, and transition.
Specializations
The goal is to provide solutions for these patients through a mixture of science-based therapy and family systems theory.
There is a specialization in Play Therapy, where children will use toys to communicate their feelings and knowledge in a therapeutic fashion. Students will utilize Spark Cool Springs, the university's idea center that aids in training and has served thousands of clients.
LMFT Licensure in Tennessee
There are various requirements needed to gain marriage and family therapy licensure in the state of Tennessee. Candidates must have a graduate-level degree from an accredited program, and those designated by COAMFTE would satisfy this criteria.
MFT Licensure Requirements
They would also satisfy the various coursework needed in human development, family studies, research, and professional ethics, along with the 300 hours needed in clinical practicum experience. There must be at least 1,000 hours of post-graduate supervised experience, and the supervisor must have at least five years of clinical experience in the field, two years of experience in supervision, and their training must come from the American Association for Marriage and Family Training (AAMFT).
Applicants must also complete a national examinations in a proctored location. The national exam takes place once every four years and graduates must take it nine months after receiving a temporary license for post-graduate supervision experience. Even if the applicant fails the exam, they will have up to two years to pass after receiving the temporary license. A criminal background check is required and fingerprints will be made during the application process. Applying out-of-state will require the use of hard copies of finger prints with an additional fee.
Tennessee Board of Licensed Professional Counselors, Licensed Marital and Family Therapists and Licensed Pastoral Therapists
665 Mainstream Dr. Second Floor
Nashville, TN 37243
Website
LMFT Licensure:
- Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
LMFT Careers and Salaries in Tennessee
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Tennessee has over 500 workers in the field of marriage and family therapy. That is on the higher spectrum compared to the rest of the nation, and is similar to its neighboring states, North Carolina and Virginia.
Median salary is significantly lower than the national average, hovering around $36,500 annually. This number is similar with states like Kentucky, Alabama, and Mississippi.
Youth Villages is a regional health care center with many locations in the Southeast and along the West Coast. They provide treatment and therapy from the comfort of the patients' own home, and also offer crisis services and foster care.
Popular Online MFT Programs
Liberty University 🗹 Online
Campus-Based COAMFTE Accredited Tennessee 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 Tennessee. You can view online COAMFTE accredited MFT counseling programs or all Tennessee counseling degrees.
- MS in Marriage and Family Therapy
- Master of Marriage and Family Therapy
