Walden University : MS in School Counseling (CACREP Accredited, five specializations to choose from) Walden University : MS Dual Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling (CACREP Accredited, six specializations to choose from) Walden University : MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CACREP Accredited, six specializations to choose from)
Liberty University : MA: Addiction Counseling (100% online, 8-week courses)
Grand Canyon University : Master's Degree in Counseling (Affordable Program with No Out of State Tuition)
Capella University : PsyD in School Psychology (CAEP accredited; Capella University is HLC accredited) Liberty University : MSW: Social Work (100% online, 8-week courses) Liberty University : MED: School Counseling (Online with required intensives) Liberty University : MA: Marriage and Family Therapy (Online with required intensives)Why Are DMFT Programs Important?
Those with a doctor of marriage and family therapy degree (DMFT) can transform a family in crisis and set a healing course. Professionals can have an upper hand in the counseling field if they have a doctoral-level degree in family counseling and specialize in the field of marriage therapy.
The field of marriage and family therapy is growing significantly, leading to high demand for qualified professionals who are ready to work with families in need.
While a doctorate isn’t required to be licensed, DMFT graduates are highly specialized professionals at the top of their field. These highly qualified therapists assess, diagnose, and treat mental illnesses as well as psychological distress within a marriage or family unit.
Consider a Featured Online Counseling Program
| School and Program Information | Online Program? Entry Requirements |
Course Information |
|---|---|---|
| Walden University
MS in School Counseling
 CACREP Accredited |
✔ Online
GRE scores not required |
School counselors help students overcome obstacles and shape successful futures. Walden’s online MS in School Counseling program will give you a solid foundation in school counseling theories, approaches, and best practices while enabling you to gain hands-on experience. Learn More |
| Walden University
MS Dual Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling
CACREP Accredited |
✔ Online
GRE scores not required |
The counseling field is in need of qualified, compassionate professionals like you to meet the demand for services. In Walden's clinical mental health counseling and school counseling dual degree program, you’ll gain the insights and hands-on training to positively impact the lives of children, adults, and families. Learn More |
| Walden University
MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
CACREP Accredited |
✔ Online
GRE scores not required |
Mental health counselors play a valuable role in helping people cope with life’s challenges. Walden’s online MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program can help you become the competent, compassionate counselor you know you can be. Learn More |
| Liberty University
MA: Addiction Counseling
SACSCOC |
✔ Online
100% online, 8-week courses |
Our graduate degree in addiction counseling is designed to fulfill or exceed the requirements for many national and state board organizations. Online and on campus. Training Champions for Christ since 1971. 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 |
| Capella University
PsyD in School Psychology
|
✔ Online
No GRE or GMAT. Master's and minimum 3.0 GPA |
Deepen your understanding of human behavior and advance your skills to help others with a degree in clinical psychology. Capella offers PsyD programs to help you develop leadership skills for your career. No GRE required. Learn More |
| Liberty University
MSW: Social Work
SACSCOC |
✔ Online
100% online, 8-week courses |
This program offers a general cognate and an individual and family clinical cognate. No matter which option you choose, you’ll receive advanced generalist training in social policy, research, and practice — as well as the opportunity to apply what you’ve learned in your field. Online and on campus. Training Champions for Christ since 1971. Learn More |
| Liberty University
MED: School Counseling
CACREP Accredited |
✔ Online
Online with required intensives |
Liberty University’s CACREP-accredited Master of Education (M.Ed.) in School Counseling can help equip you to work as a school counselor in Christian, public, and private schools. Online and on campus. Training Champions for Christ since 1971. 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 |
*Sponsored Counseling Programs
Online CACREP Accredited programs | Online MPCAC Accredited programs
What Does a DMFT Graduate Do?
At the doctoral level, marriage and family therapists offer counseling services throughout a given relationship, such as premarital counseling, couple therapy, child counseling, relationship therapy, and divorce counseling. A doctoral degree can open many doors for your career, because DMFTs are typically more able to secure positions in a wide variety of settings, including universities.
Marriage and family therapists have an extensive set of clinical skills to treat a wide range of clinical issues, including:
- Marital problems
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Individual psychological problems
- Child/parent problems
What sets DMFTs apart is their focus on resolving sensitive issues through family counseling, family therapy programs, and marriage counseling. While all counseling professionals attend to mental health issues, a DMFT provides a unique perspective on family science.
A DMFT program empowers clinicians with the tools they need to focus on how family dynamics impact their clients’ mental health within the family and marital context.
Doctor of Marriage and Family Therapy Degree Costs and Program Types
DMFT programs typically require 60 to 120 credit hours or 30 to 40 college courses. Depending on your chosen institution, and whether you choose online enrollment or an on-campus DMFT program, the average cost of a doctoral program is around $30,000 per year.
Fortunately, many institutions support doctoral candidates with tuition waivers, stipends, and financial aid. There are also fully-funded doctorate programs available for professionals seeking to obtain their doctor of marriage and family therapy degrees. These often come with residency requirements.
Whether you are a college student transitioning directly to a doctoral degree, or a seasoned professional in a related field, a wide variety of program options are available, including full-time, part-time, online, and on-campus.
DMFT Degree Goals and Competencies
When pursuing a doctor of marriage and family therapy degree, your educational pathway will include several critical skills and milestones to support your career success.
- Evidence-Based Practices: Assess patients using approaches based on the latest scientific and psychological developments.
- Diverse Audience: Demonstrate advanced counseling skills to meet the needs of individuals, families, and couples seeking mental health services.
- Self-Assessment: Practice in-depth self-reflection to improve ongoing professional development.
- Keystone Research Project: Create, present, and defend a keystone research dissertation that significantly contributes to the field of marriage and family therapy.
These competencies open up a wide variety of career options that value the clinical skills gained in a DMFT program. With your doctorate, you will be able to apply your knowledge and clinical training in a number of public and private organizations.
Walden University - MS in School Counseling (CACREP Accredited)
Walden University - MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CACREP Accredited)
Liberty University - MA: Addiction Counseling (SACSCOC Accredited)
Grand Canyon University - Master's Degree in Counseling (NASAC Accredited)
Capella University - PsyD in School Psychology (Capella University is HLC Accredited)
Liberty University - MSW: Social Work (SACSCOC Accredited)
Liberty University - MED: School Counseling (CACREP and NCATE through CAEP Accredited)
Liberty University - MA: Marriage and Family Therapy (SACSCOC Accredited)
Career Options for Those With a Marriage and Family Therapy Degree
A doctorate in marriage and family counseling opens the door to various careers that involve psychoanalysis, counseling, and working closely with groups and individuals to improve their situation and overall quality of life.
Many doctoral candidates are already working in a related field, but some move directly from a master’s program to a doctorate. No matter where you start, a DMFT can provide extensive opportunities for a lucrative future.
| Career | Median Salary |
| Marriage and Family Therapists | $49,850/year (March 2021 PayScale data) |
| Psychologists | $78,597/year (March 2021 PayScale data) |
| Postsecondary Teachers | $79,540/year (September 2020 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics [BLS] data) |
| Substance Abuse Counselors | $40,053/year (March 2021 PayScale data) |
Most doctoral programs also offer a pathway to licensure, which allows you to take the MFT National Exam; obtain Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) accreditation; and join the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT), which provides a unified voice for all marriage and family therapists.
The following information covers specialized careers that doctoral candidates may consider. This knowledge can help you decide which school is the best fit for your needs, and provide important insight into the income that comes with a DMFT.
Marriage and Family Therapists
These clinicians provide therapy for those struggling with a relationship. Licensed marriage and family therapists may work specifically with married couples at varying stages of their relationship life cycle, or broaden their focus to families and other social structures.
They help their clients overcome problems and learn coping skills to work through issues with loved ones. DMFT professionals can work at inpatient facilities, private clinical practices, hospitals, or publicly-funded organizations.
Median Salary: $49,850 per year (according to March 2021 PayScale data)
Psychologists
These professionals work directly with clients using extensive psychotherapy to help them work through life issues.
Psychologists also may perform independent research in conjunction with a hospital, or within an academic setting that helps inform others in the field and develop new, innovative psychological practices.
Psychologists with a doctoral degree may also act as clinical supervisors or program directors, overseeing a team of mental health workers and providing clinical training to up-and-coming therapists.
Median Salary: $78,597 per year (according to March 2021 PayScale data)
Postsecondary Teachers
Professionals with a doctor of marriage and family therapy degree can also become professors in higher education, teaching college courses and conducting research.
The majority of working professors have a doctorate, participate in active research, and have their scholarly writing published. Faculty members often need to have a background of original research to maintain their highly coveted positions.
Median Salary: $79,540 per year (according to September 2020 BLS data)
Substance Abuse Counselors
These professionals work closely with clients who are struggling to overcome substance issues. The services they provide help addicts adopt changes to their lifestyle with the goal of benefiting themselves, their loved ones, and their communities.
Substance abuse counselors also work closely with the client’s family and friends, who are undoubtedly affected by their substance abuse. Counselors work to heal the wounds addiction causes to each family member and reunite loved ones on their client’s path to a sober life.
Median Salary: $40,053 per year (according to March 2021 PayScale data)
DMFT Program and Career Goals
The DMFT program prepares doctoral-level marriage and family therapists to serve as administrators, evaluators-administrators, and developers of programs that promote mental health and well-being.
Doctor of Marriage and Family Therapy Degree FAQs
How long does it take to receive a doctorate in marriage and family therapy?
The average is 4 to 7 years. Some online programs offer expedited courses of study.
Can DMFTs work in hospitals?
Yes, these professionals often serve on medical teams providing medical family therapy and inpatient counseling.
Is marriage and family therapy a promising career?
Yes, it is a fast-growing field with a demand for highly qualified clinicians.
DMFT professionals are an essential part of hospitals, universities, and many other organizations, so if you have a passion to help people, then consider a DMFT degree today.
List of Programs
Walden University 🗹 Online Masters
Walden University 🗹 Online Masters
Walden University 🗹 Online Masters
Liberty University 🗹 Online
Grand Canyon University 🗹 Online
Capella University 🗹 Online Doctorate
Liberty University 🗹 Online
Liberty University 🗹 Online
Liberty University 🗹 Online
Liberty University 🗹 Online
Liberty University 🗹 Online
Northwestern University 🗹 Online 🗗 Masters
Capella University 🗹 Online 🗗 Masters 🗗 Doctorate
Northwestern University 🗹 Online 🗗 Masters
Capella University 🗹 Online Masters
Capella University 🗹 Online Masters
Capella University 🗹 Online
Capella University 🗹 Online
University of Denver 🗹 Online 🗗 Masters
NYU Steinhardt 🗹 Online 🗗 Masters
