Licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFTs) help couples and families overcome their interpersonal issues. They work with their clients in one-on-one sessions, family sessions and couples sessions to build a disciplined routine around mindful habits. They hold a master’s degree from an accredited college or university and must be licensed to legally practice.

An MFT degree program can equip prospective therapists with the necessary tools and techniques to help facilitate positive change in the lives of their clients. Online MFT programs are available for students who are looking for flexibility in their schedules. For more information about LMFT degree programs, take a look at the list of programs below.

Earn Your Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy With Northwestern University

The COAMFTE-accredited online MFT can be completed in as few as 24 months. Enjoy the same rigorous curriculum and expert teaching as in the on-campus program. Full- and part-time options available.

• COAMFTE-accredited program
• Convenient 24-month option
• No GRE required to apply
• Full- and part-time tracks available

Request more info from Northwestern University.

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Pepperdine University’s Online MFT Master’s Program

Pepperdine prepares you to pursue licensure as an LMFT or LPC, allowing you to make a powerful impact in the lives of others in as few as 27 months. With no GRE required, apply to the master’s in marriage and family therapy online from Pepperdine and begin creating a positive social impact. Part-time track available.

• No GRE required
• Bachelor degree required
• Complete as few as 27 months

Request more info from Pepperdine University.

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Compare Online Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) Degree Programs | What Is an MFT? | MFT Degree Program Details | What Can You Do with an MFT Degree? | Licensure Requirements to Become an LMFT | Salary and Job Outlook | Resources for MFT Students and Graduates | FAQ | Return to Top

A marriage and family therapist (MFT) is a licensed professional who diagnoses, assesses and treats a variety of clients with different issues. To become an MFT, these professionals must earn at least an MFT degree (or similar) and complete a minimum threshold of clinical internship hours, supervision and board exams. An MFT can work in numerous settings including private practices, schools, government agencies, medical facilities and nonprofits.

Although the terms therapist and clinical psychologist may often be used interchangeably, the titles are different.

A clinical psychologist requires a doctoral degree in a psychology discipline. Many psychologists conduct research, teach in higher education, and work alongside psychiatrists. They may receive licensure through the American Psychological Association. That said, they may also provide clinical psychotherapy to individuals, families or couples.

Although some therapists have doctoral degrees, it is not a requirement for the career. Therapists and most mental health professionals must have master’s degrees to provide services to clients independently. Therapists typically receive licensure from their respective state boards.

A licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) and a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) might seem like similar positions, but they are quite different.

An LMFT focuses primarily on families and their immediate influences when providing therapy. They can use many techniques to help individuals cope with their issues in a sustainable way. LMFTs typically use cognitive behavioral therapy to help their clients overcome unproductive thought patterns.

On the other hand, an LCSW spends their time helping clients with mental, behavioral and emotional problems. Licensed clinical social workers are a unique group of social workers who can create treatment plans and diagnose their clients without the need of a specialized therapist. LCSWs are required to have a Master of Social Work (MSW) and maintain their state certification

There are two more professions that seem similar, but are very different. The two therapist roles are an LMFT and a licensed professional counselor (LPC).

LMFTs help families and couples with managing their interpersonal issues. LMFTs teach their clients the importance of identifying destructive behaviors through one-on-one or family therapy sessions. Many work in private practices and meet regularly with their clients to maintain a consistent routine.

LPCs evaluate their clients’ mental well-being and create treatment plans to help them reach their goals. They may specialize in mental health, but do not necessarily have to because they help clients deal with a variety of issues ranging from stress and low self-esteem to grief or loss of a loved one. LPCs work in private practices and other healthcare facilities including mental health and outpatient care centers.

If you’re interested in pursuing a career in a helping profession, discover how to become a counselor.

The first step toward becoming a licensed marriage and family therapist is earning a marriage and family counseling degree. There are several traditional and online MFT programs available for prospective therapists. Students should consider school accreditation, location, length and rigor of the program, and financial aid when narrowing down their options. In terms of admissions, each school has its own GRE and GPA requirement.

Admission requirements can vary depending on the school. However, applicants may need:

Coursework will vary depending on the university, but coursework for a master’s in marriage and family therapy degree (PDF, 700 KB) may include:

Clinical case conceptualization and formulation

The clinical case conceptualization and formulation classes will help the aspiring clinician to collectively understand the client’s problems as a whole before addressing any specific problems. It is supported by a body of research that is used in tandem with the social, psychological and biological observations of the client.

Research methods and data analysis

An MFT must learn how to critically analyze a situation before they can step into the field. Research methods and data analysis provides the means for counselors to accurately diagnose their client’s issues and provide them with an action-oriented approach to overcoming their problems. 

Family systems

Family systems theory is all about families functioning as a collective unit, or system, where each member has their designated roles and responsibilities. An MFT learns to understand the various archetypes and devises a treatment plan to help introduce flexibility where rigid family paradigms exist.

Couples therapy

To be able to address the needs of couples, an MFT must know how to facilitate healthy conversations. Couples therapy courses cover techniques to manage conflicts, promote deeper friendships and renewed intimacy. Aspiring MFTs will also learn how to empirically evaluate scenarios to help reach resolutions in an effective manner.

Counseling process

Before an MFT can begin practicing on their own, they must demonstrate that they have a thorough understanding of the counseling process. In this course, students learn the basic principles of effective counseling, communicating and interviewing so they can accurately determine their clients needs.

Field experience

MFTs must meet distinct field hour requirements specific to each state before they are able to legally practice. Field experience is completed with an LMFT present, supervising the students as they learn to conduct effective therapy sessions on their own. Field experience can be done in a variety of settings, usually in alignment with the student’s field of choice.

MFT students must complete several years of a post-degree internship or supervised clinical work to become eligible for licensure. Most schools provide clinical placement support when students are ready to start their internship.

Internships provide students with the valuable opportunity of learning to practice therapy while receiving ongoing clinical supervision and support. Most schools require that students discuss their current clinical cases via conceptualization papers and supervision meetings. Each state has its own requirements in terms of the minimum number of hours and type of hours students must accrue before becoming licensed.

Like traditional offerings, online programs typically offer many student support services. Such services and resources depend on the particular institution, but they may include:

Many online programs offer synchronous or live class discussions. Synchronous classes entail interactive discussions through different mediums like video chat and instant messaging. Students gather to meet in their virtual classrooms at a designated time each week or month.

Asynchronous classes, on the other hand, refers to the coursework that isn’t live. For example, this may apply to independent homework, message board responses, listening to audio recordings and reviewing presentations. Despite having deadlines, students enjoy the freedom of working on their own schedules.

Large class sizes can be overwhelming for both the students and instructors. Research shows that small class sizes have many positive effects (PDF, 326 KB). These benefits include:

Each institution has its own limits of class and cohort sizes. However, prospective students can and should inquire about these sizes during the application process.

MFTs primarily use cognitive behavioral therapy to help clients understand their own thoughts and perceptions. Cognitive behavioral therapy involves changing thought patterns that make the client’s life difficult and establishing healthier outlooks to use going forward, according to the American Psychological Association. This can be done systematically by asking questions and listening to the answers to find underlying problems in the client’s psyche.

Questions can be related to how a person feels when they receive praise or reliving a past experience to help clarify emotional responses. While the client is experiencing deep emotions, the MFT provides support and feedback that can help nurture their growth. Cognitive behavioral therapy is about developing coping tools that keep life in perspective.

MFTs assist individuals, couples and families in addressing their relationship problems. By earning an MFT degree, they learn how to help others cope with, and address, their issues. In addition to tools and techniques, students can learn a range of skills useful in their profession. A degree in marriage and family therapy can equip individuals with skills such as:

LMFTs and MFTs can work in different environments. These places include schools, healthcare offices, inpatient care facilities such as hospitals, outpatient care facilities, private practices, social service agencies, mental health centers and nursing care facilities.

MFTs are employed at all levels, from entry-level workers to chief executives. No matter what level the role is, the overall duty remains fairly similar. LMFTS and MFTs help to implement sustainable healthcare practices for their companies and their clients. MFTs may advance in an organization to oversee company and community well-being, where duties can include developing treatment plans that encompass large groups of people.

A doctorate in marriage and family therapy is the highest level of education that an MFT can achieve. Some students pursue this track because they want to conduct research, supervise therapists or work in academia. Others  want to apply advanced principles and knowledge to their clinical practice. The doctorate may provide more career opportunities due to the additional education and internship requirements.

Depending on the school, degree names and options vary. Examples include:

Those who are interested in pursuing their doctoral studies in MFT have many options to consider. Earning a PhD in MFT may lead to new career opportunities because marriage and family therapy is a broad, all-encompassing term. A master’s degree holder can study counseling related to a variety of topics such as a specific philosophy or trauma-related illness to become a specialized MFT. Whether you want to work more closely with clients or spend time on your research, there are options for continuing education after earning a master’s degree.

LMFTs and MFTs who have their license or certificate have met or surpassed the necessary clinical experience and education needed to legally practice. For most states, this means they have at least 2,000 documented hours of clinical experience providing services under direct supervision of an approved LMFT. To learn more about licensure and certification requirements, read our article on how to become an MFT.

Depending on the state,  MFTs must  have a master’s or doctoral degree to practice. Verify the requirements in your state to ensure what is necessary.

Every state and territory has specific regulations for MFTs to practice there. Learn more from your state’s advisory board. For example, California’s licensure laws are stricter than other states. They require therapists to accrue more than 3,000 hours and 104 weeks of supervision that can be separated by therapy type, such as couples or family therapy, as well as treatment environments, such as telehealth.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that the growth rate for MFT jobs between 2022 and 2032 is expected to be 15%, which is much faster than the average for all occupations.

The expected increase in job demand is due to the integrative practices that are growing in healthcare facilities. Integrative care allows MFTs to work with other healthcare professionals to give a holistic overview and treatment for clients.

According to the BLS, the median annual wage for MFTs was $56,570 in 2022. The top 10% of earners made more that $98,700 while the lowest 10% earned less than $36,840. The majority of earners who made more than $50,000 worked in outpatient care centers or in the state government (excluding education and hospitals).

Board of Behavioral Sciences State Licensing Board

The Board of Behavioral Sciences State Licensing Board (BBS) aims to provide Californians a standard for the safe, ethical and competent practice of mental health counseling. BBS sets, communicates and enforces each standard so residents of California can trust in the competency of their therapists.

American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy

The American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) is the professional association representing all LMFTs and MFTs in the United States, Canada and abroad. AAMFT’s Clinical Fellows develop social and family policies and promote research that advances the field of marriage and family therapy.

International Family Therapy Association

The International Family Therapy Association (IFTA) collaborates with professionals around the world to improve the quality of family therapy. IFTA provides international conferences that educate audiences about a variety of topics related to the improvement of family therapy standards.

California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists

The California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT) is an independent professional organization dedicated to improving the field of marriage and family therapy. CAMFT actively monitors and works with regulatory boards and state legislatures to sponsor bills and pass laws that help the public receive higher quality care.

American Counseling Association

As a not-for-profit organization, the American Counseling Association (ACA) dedicates itself to the advancement of the counseling profession. ACA’s mission is to create ethical standards that protect those who use counseling services and provide education and professional development for counselors.

American Family Therapy Academy

The American Family Therapy Academy (AFTA) is an organization of family therapists and associated professionals, such as program directors, clinicians and researchers, who work toward creating a national organization free from bias. AFTA’s members pride themselves on thinking critically about the systematic theory and practice of ethical counseling and transforming social contexts to promote the overall well-being of families and communities.

National Council on Family Relations

The National Council on Family Relations (NCFR) is “the oldest nonprofit, nonpartisan, multidisciplinary professional association focused solely on family research, practice, and education.” Founded in 1938, its mission is to provide an educational forum for educators, practitioners and researchers to share their insights and methodologies to improve the field of family therapy.

Delta Kappa: International Marriage and Family Therapy Honor Society

As the official honor society for the field of marriage and family therapy, Delta Kappa serves to work with the AMA, AFTA and IFTA to promote the ethical practice of family counseling. Delta Kappa provides educational training for emerging leaders, structure for developing forums and promotes achievements within the field.

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Last Updated: September 2023.