Walden University : MS in Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling (CACREP Accredited) Walden University : PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision, Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling (HLC Accredited)
Northwestern University : Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy (Complete your COAMFTE-accredited MFT online program in as few as 21 months. No GRE required.)
National University : Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy (Accredited. No GRE. Scholarships Available) National University : Doctor of Philosophy in Marriage and Family Therapy (Accredited. No GRE. Scholarships Available)
Grand Canyon University : Master's Degree in Counseling (As a private university, GCU has the same in-state and out-of-state tuition.)
Liberty University : MA: Marriage and Family Therapy (Online with required intensives)
Colorado Christian University : Clinical Mental Health Counseling, M.A. - Marriage & Family Therapy (100% online, or hybrid format. )
University of West Alabama : Online MS in Family Counseling (100% online. Affordable tuition.)Family and Marriage Counseling Degree Programs
Family and marriage counselors assist married couples or families to reconnect and strengthen their relationships. Each family counselor who works with a family is a support system, helping them work through disagreements to reach reconciliation.
If you are interested in helping families and couples with this reconciliation, learning the necessary skills and knowledge is a great place to start. Earning an advanced education, like a family and marriage counselor degree, can teach you the skills and expertise needed to be a successful family and marriage counselor.
Counseling Degrees Online has numerous different family and marriage counselor degree programs in our directory to explore. In the U.S., master’s and doctoral degrees programs are the most widely offered in this field of counseling. Below, we outline some featured programs, career options, and tips for licensure:
Consider a Featured Online Counseling Program
| School and Program Information | Online Program? Entry Requirements |
Course Information |
|---|---|---|
| Walden University
MS in Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling
 CACREP Accredited |
✔ Online
|
Learn how to support the well-being of your students as they cope with complex personal and family challenges. Explore human sexual development as well as the relationships and family dynamics impacting young people’s lives today. Build the cross-cultural competencies and skills required to understand family structures, life-cycle dynamics, intergenerational influences, and healthy family functioning. The optional accelerated track is designed for students who are interested in taking three courses per quarter and potentially finishing their program in a shorter time frame. The accelerated track has the same curriculum, residencies, and field experience requirements as the general track, but requires a strong time commitment and is best suited for students who can dedicate themselves full time to their studies. Learn More |
| Walden University
PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision, Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling
HLC Accredited |
✔ Online
|
In the PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision with a specialization in Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling, you’ll look at human sexuality and empirically supported treatments and techniques for promoting the well-being of couples. Build competencies for working effectively with children and adolescents. You’ll also learn how to assess procedures for evaluating research in this area—and how to apply these findings to your practice. Learn More |
| Northwestern University
Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy
COAMFTE Accredited |
✔ Online
GRE Not Required Bachelor's Required |
The COAMFTE-accredited MFT@Northwestern 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 |
| National 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 National University. COAMFTE and IACSTE accredited. Learn More |
| National University
Doctor of Philosophy in Marriage and Family Therapy
COAMFTE Accredited |
✔ Online
GRE Scores Not Required |
Earn your Doctor of Philosophy in Marriage and Family Therapy at National University. COAMFTE and IACSTE accredited. Learn More |
| Grand Canyon University
Master's Degree in Counseling
HLC and NASAC Accredited |
✔ Online
|
Clinical Mental Health Counseling master's degree emphases include: Childhood and Adolescence Disorders, Christian Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy, and Trauma. Designed to meet the academic requirements of the National Board for Certified Counselors for the National Certified Counselor credential, the Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor credential and the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners. As a private university, GCU has the same in-state and out-of-state tuition. 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 |
| Colorado Christian University
Clinical Mental Health Counseling, M.A. - Marriage & Family Therapy
CACREP Accredited |
✔ Online
Bachelor's Degree |
CCU's online Clinical Mental Health Counseling, M.A. - Marriage & Family Therapy program prepares you to address couples and families in a clinical environment. Required to attend a five-day on-campus residency held each summer of the program. Apply for free! 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 |
*Sponsored Counseling Programs
Online CACREP Accredited programs | Online MPCAC Accredited programs
Family and Marriage Counseling Degrees
Family and marriage therapy counselors (LMFT licensure) help clients navigate a variety of problems that may be causing deterioration within marriages or families as a whole. Depression, anxiety, or stress may be contributing factors that counselors must deal with, among many others that weaken the bonds in a relationship. Regardless of the problems at hand, marriage and family counselors are trained to find quick solutions so that families can experience normalcy as fast as possible. If you are interested in helping families, you should consider obtaining a family and marriage counseling degree.
How to Find a Family and Marriage Counselor Degree Program
The first step to becoming part of the family and marriage counseling field is to find a fitting marriage counselor degree program. Since most students will not delve specifically into family and marriage counseling courses until graduate school, finding an appropriate program should be a top priority.
Find the Right Family and Marriage Counselor Schools
Psychology, counseling, or social services are course subjects to consider when looking for a family and marriage counselor school. However, there are successful graduates with a variety of educational histories — even counselors with an educational background in nursing have been found in the field.
Behavior and Relationship Based Curriculum
Regardless of which degree is chosen for undergraduate work, the foundation for marriage and family therapists should be behavior and relationship-based. Undergraduates will be exposed to courses in general psychology, counseling, and behavior. These lay a solid foundation for working in the counseling field, as they provide the knowledge needed at graduate-level family and marriage counselor programs.
Walden University - MS in Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling (CACREP Accredited)
Northwestern University - Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy (COAMFTE Accredited)
National University - Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy (COAMFTE Accredited)
National University - Doctor of Philosophy in Marriage and Family Therapy (COAMFTE Accredited)
Grand Canyon University - Master's Degree in Counseling (NASAC Accredited)
Liberty University - MA: Marriage and Family Therapy (SACSCOC Accredited)
Colorado Christian University - Clinical Mental Health Counseling, M.A. - Marriage & Family Therapy
University of West Alabama - Online MS in Family Counseling (SACSCC Accredited)
Typical Family and Marriage Counseling Courses
Students in graduate programs will typically take family and marriage counseling courses that focus on individual and group therapy, social psychology, and family studies. These courses are designed to provide a foundation of knowledge in the social aspects of psychology as well as information on family structures and relationships.
Family and Marriage Counselor Degree Length
Since all states require at least a master’s degree in family and marriage counseling for professional licensure, most students go this route. Master’s programs are usually around two years in length and require in-class and laboratory attendance. Depending on the requirements for your marriage counselor degree, you have the option of attending courses in person or online. The right program should fit your schedule.
Research Project
At the end of most master’s in counseling programs, family and marriage counseling degree students are required to submit a research project, which will ensure that they have completely understood the concepts and can apply them successfully. This aspect of the degree program ensures that graduates are prepared to progress with their counseling licensure.
Marriage and Family Counseling Licensure
Obtaining the right degree is not the last step in becoming a marriage and family counselor. All states require that counselors be licensed prior to practicing in the public domain. State requirements may vary, and students are encouraged to review their state’s guidelines before applying.
Typical Requirements
The requirements can include graduation from an accredited family and marriage counselor degree program, approximately two years of approved supervised experience, and successful completion of the state board exam.
These requirements may vary slightly by state, but these requirements are listed as a minimum requirement in most states. States are required to ensure that their counseling professionals are only the most qualified. The overall licensure process is in-depth and requires great dedication for applicants wishing to obtain a license. The overall experience of counseling in the field differs from the experience gained while in an educational program, so obtaining experience under supervision is a vital requirement by the state.
Supervised experience is working for or under the direct supervision of a licensed marriage and family counselor. Hours are submitted directly to the state and are managed until the licensure program has completed. Upon completing the entire program and passing the board exam, professionals will receive notification of licensure and are free to work anywhere within their state of residence.
Marriage and Family Counselor Careers and Salary
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), marriage and family counselors, also called marriage and family therapists, earned a median annual salary of $51,340 as of 2020. The BLS also projects that the position’s job outlook will grow by 16% between 2020 and 2030, much faster than the projected average.
Family and marriage counselors can work in various settings and can be found within social service agencies, community support divisions, and even in their own private practice.
Marriage Counseling
Individuals working in marriage counseling assist married couples with problems that are causing strife and tension within their relationship. Working one on one with each member of a marriage or together as a group will provide assistance in communication training, stress management, and relationship strengthening.
Family Counseling
For families, counselors will work to identify factors causing strain and implement plans of action for each family member to achieve. These processes help protect families at their most vulnerable times, whether they are undergoing stress, grief, anger, or trauma.
Become a Marriage Counselor Online
With over half of U.S. marriages ending in divorce, people are searching for resources to assist them in strengthening the bonds within their relationships. Marriage and family therapists can find fulfilling a career that promotes the well-being of families all throughout the country.
If you want to become a family and marriage therapist, you should consider an advanced degree. For those who require flexibility, there are plenty of educational options to become a marriage counselor online. Explore the available resources and find the right program for you.
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List of Counseling Programs
Walden University 🗹 Online 🗗 Masters
Walden University 🗹 Online 🗗 Doctorate
Northwestern University 🗹 Online 🗗 Masters
National University 🗹 Online Courses Start Weekly
National University 🗹 Online Courses Start Weekly
Grand Canyon University 🗹 Online
Liberty University 🗹 Online
Colorado Christian University 🗹 Online 🗗 Masters
University of West Alabama 🗹 Online 🗗 Masters
Campbellsville University 🗹 Online Masters
Lamar University 🗹 Online 🗗 Masters
