Northwestern University, officially established in 1851, is a comprehensive research institution offering various programs across multiple schools and units. With three campuses in Evanston and Chicago, Illinois, and Doha, Qatar, the university houses more than 21,000 students with the mission to provide excellent teaching, innovative research, and personal and intellectual growth for its students.

The Family Institute at Northwestern, a world-renowned center of conducting, teaching, and researching marriage and family therapy, offers a two-year Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy program ideal for students interested in the field of mental health who have a passion for treating relationships. This degree with a period of post-graduate supervised practice allows graduates to become a licensed marriage and family therapist. For more information, visit northwestern.edu.

The University of Southern California (USC), founded in 1880, is the oldest private research institution in California. The campus is located in the heart of one of the biggest metropolises, Los Angeles, California, housing almost 48,000 students and 4,400 full-time faculty around the world.

Offered by the Rossier School of Education at USC, the MS in Marriage and Family Therapy degree trains students to become competent therapists who can transform systems in both public and private mental health clinics. Common challenges such as relationship stressors, family dysfunction, and parenting concerns encountered by families, couples, and children are addressed in the program. Upon completion of the program as well as the fulfillment of other state-mandated requirements, graduates earn the State’s Marriage and Family Therapy license. Details about admissions are available at rossier.usc.edu.

The University of Rochester or Rochester, established in 1850, is a private research university in Rochester, New York granting undergraduate and graduate degrees as well as doctoral and professional degrees. Rochester houses a diverse community of more than 12,000 students, 3,000 faculty, and 30,000 staff.

The Department of Psychiatry at Rochester is within the University of Rochester Medical Center. Students entering the university’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy are immersed in a clinical practice site or hospital as opposed to the college campus setting. The program exposes students to major family therapy conceptual and clinical models combined with an ideal clinical setting to provide them with unique opportunities and experiences in a collaborative interdisciplinary context. Visit urmc.rochester.edu to access the full program.

One of the nation's leading institutions of higher education since 1831, New York University (NYU), continues to provide support and resources needed by the students to enhance critical thinking and to create a dynamic learning environment. The university, located in New York City, New York, houses more than 50,000 students from all 50 states and 133 countries across its 19 schools and colleges. NYU is a world-renown leader in academics spanning nearly two hundred years and thousands of students.  Obtain the information you need a about the NYU counseling degrees today by requesting admissions information or visiting the school’s primary web portal today. 

The University of Florida (UF) is a public land-grant research university based in Gainesville, Florida, and is one of the top universities in the United States. UF houses more than 200 research, service, and education centers, as well as bureaus and institutes available for use for student’s academic programs and research interests as part of the university’s vision of a better world through research.

At UF College of Education, a dual master’s and specialist program in Marriage Counseling and Family Therapy is available for students interested in working with diverse families, couples, and children in need of counseling and support. The Marriage and Family Counseling/Therapy program specialization helps students to build their professional identity as Marriage and Family Therapists with specialized knowledge and skills for mental health service delivery. Access the program at education.ufl.edu.

Officially opened its doors in 1925, the University of Miami (UM) is a private research university in Coral Gables, Florida with the mission to serve the community by engaging in research and sponsored programs. UM houses more than 17,000 students from around the world with 11 schools and colleges providing over 180 majors and programs.

The School of Education and Human Development at UM offers a Master of Education in Marriage and Family Therapy which prepares students to become therapists who will assist individuals, couples, and families solve problems in their relationships. The program allows graduates to get their license as Marriage and Family Therapists in Florida. The full curriculum is available at sites.education.miami.edu.

The University of Maryland (UMD) - College Park, considered as the state’s flagship university, was founded in 1856 in College Park, Maryland. UMD is now a leader in research, entrepreneurship, and innovation across the world. The university has been providing excellent teaching and research to over 41,000 students to fulfill its mission of advancing our society and transforming people’s lives.

The Department of Family Science at UMD School of Public Health offers a Master of Science in Couple and Family Therapy that teaches students several therapeutic skills, ethical integrity, and sincere commitment to working with families from diverse origins. Students also experience real-world situations through the Center for Healthy Families which is a state-of-the-art training and research facility providing reduced-cost counseling to hundreds of American families. With the completion of the program as well as supervised clinical training required in the state, graduates earn their Couple and Family Therapy license. Access the full curriculum at sph.umd.edu.

Designated as a preeminent university in the state of Florida, Florida State University (FSU) is a public research university in Tallahassee, Florida. FSU has been offering an affordable, high-quality, and student-centered education since 1851 that inspires students to become academically motivated, intellectually curious, and socially conscious.

The College of Human Science at FSU offers a doctoral program in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) that addresses family processes and relational interventions for modern and diverse families through engagement in research and advanced clinical experiences. During the program, students acquire the necessary training at the Center for Couple and Family Therapy at FSU to become MFT leaders and scholars with advanced clinical expertise. Explore the Ph.D. program at humansciences.fsu.edu.

Chartered in 1785 by the state of Georgia, the University of Georgia (UGA) is among the oldest public land-grant research universities in the country with its main campus based in Athens, Georgia. Today, UGA continues to provide quality education, hands-on learning, and extensive research to its students as well as extensive outreach to the community.

The Marriage and Family Therapy Certificate is a 15-hour program available to graduate clinical students at UGA’s College of Education, School of Social Work, or College of Family and Consumer Sciences. The program aims to advance interdisciplinary scholarship, research, and practice in the field of marriage and family therapy. Specifically, the program provides a strong academic basis in the field enough to prepare students to engage in further supervised clinical training. For more information about the program, go to grad.uga.edu.

Housing 13 schools and colleges, Syracuse University is a private research university based in Syracuse, New York offering 200 customizable majors, 100 minors, and various online degrees and certificates. Since 1870, the university has been a leader in providing professional programs and valuing research and innovation to fuel discovery and positive impact.

Considered as the longest-standing department of its kind in the United States, the Department of Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) offers one of the oldest degrees in MFT, the Master of Arts degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. The program educates and trains future clinicians, scholars, and researchers in the ethical practice of MFT in different settings and situations. The department also offers an equivalent online degree in MFT with 60 required credits and a 500-hour clinical practicum. Explore the program at falk.syr.edu.

Recognized as one of the top comprehensive colleges in the nation, The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) is a public college in Ewing, New Jersey. The college, the first normal school in the state, was established in 1855 as the New Jersey State Normal School. TCNJ offers a personalized and collaborative education, extensive research, mentored internships, community-engaged learning, and leadership development incorporated in all of its degree programs.

The Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling and Therapy program at TCNJ School of Education is a Master of Arts degree in Counseling that provides students with a foundation in helping individuals and families from a family systems perspective. At the end of the program, students gain the required knowledge and skills both in theory and practical application of systemic family counseling. Check out counselored.tcnj.edu to view the full program.

Originally located in Fordham in the Bronx, Fordham University is a private Jesuit research university in the Bronx, New York City with campuses in Manhattan and West Harrison. The university, established in 1841, has over 7,000 students across its 3 schools and colleges on the main campus in Rose Hill, Bronx.

At Fordham Graduate School of Education, the Master of Education in Family Counseling prepares students for employment in mental health clinics and public centers, hospitals, non-profit counseling agencies, and counseling centers among others. The program emphasizes a strong multicultural counseling approach and can be completed full-time in two years or part-time in three years. Read more about the program at fordham.edu.

Started as the San Diego College for Women in 1949, the University of San Diego (USD) is a private Roman Catholic research university located in San Diego, California. The university, inspired by faith with contemporary Catholic values, cultivates academic excellence to its students through a warm and inspiring community in order to empower them in facing society's urgent and most pressing issues.

The School of Leadership and Education Services at USD combines personalized instruction with a biopsychosocial, systems approach, hands-on clinical experience and training, and an internationally distinguished faculty in its Marital and Family Therapy (MFT) program. Students of the MFT program undergo a 2-year rigorous academic coursework as well as a 12-month clinical practicum in community sites which is accumulated toward the 3,000 hours required for the California MFT licensure. Access the curriculum at sandiego.edu.

Located in Fairfield, Connecticut, Fairfield University, simply Fairfield, is a private Jesuit university founded in 1942 by the Society of Jesus. Fairfield houses over 5,000 undergraduate and graduate students from all 50 states and around the globe across its 5 schools and colleges. The university has a mission to instill critical thinking, cultivate open inquiry, and foster ethical and religious values to its students to make an impact on society.

Fairfield’s Graduate School of Education and Allied Professions offers several programs in marriage and family therapy (MFT). The Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy degree is ideal for students building their careers as marriage and family therapists as the curriculum and clinical training prepare them in a broad range of settings and diverse populations. Students conduct their clinical training at the Kathryn P. Koslow Center for Marriage and Family Therapy which is a state-of-the-art facility inside the university. Other programs in MFT offered by the same school are School-Based Marriage and Family Therapy, an advanced training certificate, and Sexual and Gender Minority Mental Health, a professional development certificate. Explore the available programs at fairfield.edu.

Having one of the largest student bodies in the country, the University of Central Florida (UCF) is a public research university in Orlando, Florida with nearly 70,000 students. The university, founded in 1963, is consistently recognized as one of the most innovative colleges in the United States. UCF aims to fuel academic excellence and provide exceptional opportunities to its students to create a better future for the world.

UCF’s College of Education and Human Performance offers a Master of Arts in Marriage, Couple, and Family Therapy program to students aiming for a career in marriage and family therapy (MFT). The pragmatic approach of the program to preparing students for the MFT State licensure includes lectures in the classroom and complete clinical experiences in the UCF Community Counseling and Research Center and in the community. The  Counselor Education Program within the college also offers a Graduate Certificate in Marriage, Couple, and Family Therapy designed to provide advanced training to students in the Counselor Education and Social Work programs as well as to practicing therapists working with families, couples, and children. Learn more about the programs at ucf.edu.

Considered as the top private university in the state, Chapman University is an academically distinguished university based in Orange, California. The university, established in 1861, houses nearly 10,000 students across its 10 schools and colleges, from engineering and science and technology to film and media arts.

Chapman’s Crean College of Health and Behavioral Sciences offers a program designed for students to gain academic and professional training necessary for a career in marriage and family therapy (MFT). The Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy degree includes a clinical training component with video and live observation where students work at the Frances Smith Center for Individual & Family Therapy under the supervision of licensed marriage and family therapists. Read more about the program at chapman.edu.

With campuses in Spain, Saint Louis University is a private Jesuit research university located in St. Louis, Missouri. The university, founded in 1818, is the second oldest Jesuit university in the country. Saint Louis is known for providing world-class education, life-changing research, and compassionate health care with a strong commitment to faith and service.

The Medical Family Therapy degree at Saint Louis is offered as a master’s or doctoral degree. The program gives importance to both understanding the development of individuals through the life cycle and developing sensitivity to couples, families, and the community. It aims to develop professionals who recognize the importance of scientific inquiry and diversity, and respect multiple perspectives. At the Center for Counseling and Family Therapy, both master’s and doctoral students conduct their clinical work with the supervision of the faculty. Students typically complete the program in 3 years with a maximum completion period of 5 years. Read more about the programs at slu.edu.

The University of La Verne is a private university in La Verne, California. Since 1891, the university has been offering 60 undergraduate, graduate, and online degree programs across its 4 schools and colleges and eight regional campuses in Southern California.

The College of Arts and Sciences at La Verne offers a highly flexible program in marriage and family therapy (MFT) with full-time and part-time options. The Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy degree features a collaborative environment between students and faculty and comprehensive courses such as Couples Therapy, Child Therapy, and Grief and Loss Counseling. MFT students at La Verne are also eligible to join Psi Chi, the National Honor Society for psychology students. Visit artsci.laverne.edu to know more.

Owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Brigham Young University (BYU) is a private research university located in Provo, Utah. The university aims to provide a spiritually strengthening, intellectually enlarging, and character-building education to its nearly 34,000 students in order to lead and serve the community.

BYU’s Family, Home, and Social Sciences Department offers a two-year Master of Science degree in Marriage and Family Therapy that prepares students in a wide variety of marriage and family therapy (MFT) settings. Upon completion of the program, graduates are eligible for the state licensure in Marriage and Family Therapy. Students who wish to apply to the Ph.D. program in MFT at BYU must complete the M.S. program first. Visit gradstudies.byu.edu/ for more information.

LeTourneau University is a private, interdenominational Christian polytechnic university located in Longview, Texas. The university offers 140 degree programs in the fields of engineering, health sciences, aeronautical science, business, liberal arts, education, nursing, psychology, and theology to over 3,000 students with diverse backgrounds.

The Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) at LeTourneau is a graduate program offered on-campus in Longview and Plano, Texas. The program is very distinct among others as it puts emphasis on the integration of faith and practice. The curriculum consists of 60 hours of required MFT courses and 6 hours of therapy courses, some of which are specialized courses to allow students to gain knowledge and skills from various theoretical points of view. Students are also allowed to take up to 21 credits of courses online. Upon completion, students are eligible to earn licensure as a marriage and family therapist or professional counselor in Texas. To know more about the program, go to letu.edu.

Based in Searcy, Arkansas, Harding University is a private liberal arts university founded in 1924. It is also considered the largest private university in the state. The university, with nearly 5,000 students from different countries, offers undergraduate, graduate, and pre-professional programs to aid students in transforming their passions into professions that serve others.

Offered by the Department of Mental Health and Wellness at Harding’s College of Education, the MS in Marriage and Family Counseling/Therapy is a program that prepares students in practicing therapy from a systemic perspective. Students are trained to consider family structure and dynamics having direct and indirect effects on sexual abuse, family violence, and substance-related issues. The program includes 67 hours of coursework and 500 hours of face-to-face client consultation, 200 hours of which must be family or relational. Upon completion, graduates are qualified to proceed with the marriage and family therapy licenses in their respective states. Learn more about the program curriculum at harding.edu.

Springfield College is a private, coeducational college located in Springfield, Massachusetts. Since its founding in 1885, the college has been committed to Humanics philosophy which reflects on how they educate students in spirit, mind, and body for leadership and service to others. With approximately 4,100 students on its main campus, the college offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs in the areas of health sciences, human and social services, education, business, and the arts and sciences.

The Master of Education in Counseling at Springfield College is a program grounded in theory and best practices in the field of counseling. Students in the program are trained in humanities philosophy to serve children and adults in school, mental health, and rehabilitation counseling settings. There are three concentrations where students can choose from namely Clinical Mental Health Counseling, School Counseling, and Rehabilitation Counseling. The curriculum consists of 30 credits of the core courses and courses on their chosen concentration as well as electives to complete the minimum 60-credit requirement for the state licensure. The courses may be taken online, hybrid, or on-ground on five different campuses. For further information about the program requirements, visit springfield.edu.

Founded in 1824 as the Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University (TJU) is a private university based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. TJU officially merged with Philadelphia University in 2017 and continued to carry its original name. The university offers several exceptional programs in the fields of business, design, architecture, engineering, fashion, health, and social sciences.

Offered by TJU’s College of Health Professions and the Council for Relationships, the Master’s in Family Therapy is a full-time, two-year program modeled on the core curriculum accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE). The program focuses on key areas of contemporary family therapy such as couple and marital counseling, family therapy with children, families in transition, family violence, medical family therapy, and sex therapy. Students may choose between two specialty tracks namely Sex Therapy or Family Therapy. The Family Therapy track consists of advanced coursework in the areas of medical family therapy and family violence. Get more details about the program at jefferson.edu.

Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU) is an evangelical Christian college based in Marion, Indiana offering adult education and degree completion programs. Since its founding in 1985, IWU has been offering associate’s, bachelor’s, and graduate degrees with a focus on the fields of business, criminal justice, education, general studies, communication, health sciences, psychology, religious and theological studies, nursing, and social work.

The Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Counseling/Therapy at IWU is a 60 credit hour program that provides students with the highest quality of professional competence in the field of marriage and family therapy (MFT). Students in the program learn to engage with both classic systemic models and contemporary and postmodern approaches in order to train them in working with individual clients in a way that is consistent with their philosophy of MFT. As a requirement, students must complete 100 practicum hours and 900 internship hours under the supervision of clinicians. Graduates are then eligible to apply for licensure as a marriage and family therapist in Indiana. To know more about the program curriculum, go to indwes.edu.

Founded in 1891, Lipscomb University is a private Christian liberal arts university located in the heart of Nashville, Tennessee. It is among the top 50 best Christian colleges in the country. The university offers more than 176 undergraduate majors and minors as well as 63 graduate programs in the fields of business, education, engineering, leadership and public service, and health sciences.

The Master of Marriage and Family Therapy at Lipscomb University is a 24-month program designed to meet the academic requirements to qualify for licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of Tennessee. This will allow graduates to provide therapy services to individuals, couples, and families in various community settings. Aside from the coursework, students in the program are required to complete 500 hours of supervised clinical work. The program also offers a 9-credit specialization in Play Therapy which focuses on how to foster the mental health, development, and well-being of children, adults, and families. Access the complete program curriculum at lipscomb.edu.