Best Online Master’s in Family Counseling
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Family counseling is a field with strong job growth projections, and earning a master’s degree provides a gateway to becoming a licensed marriage and family therapist. Family counselors help their clients with challenges like addiction, behavioral and mental health issues, divorce, and grief.
This guide includes rankings of the best online master’s in family therapy, along with information on choosing a program, common courses, and pathways to professional therapist roles. Learn about potential salaries and average educational costs.
Popular Online Master’s in Family Counseling Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Best Online Master’s in Family Counseling
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$15,417
- Out-of-state$15,417
- In-State$7,980
- Out-of-state$7,980
- Retention Rate81%
- Acceptance Rate51%
- Students Enrolled85,586
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment92%
- AccreditationYes
Concordia University Wisconsin
- Mequon, WI
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$30,060
- Out-of-state$30,060
- In-State$11,052
- Out-of-state$11,052
- Retention Rate81%
- Acceptance Rate64%
- Students Enrolled5,777
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment39%
- AccreditationYes
University of Massachusetts Global
- Irvine, CA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$12,000
- Out-of-state$12,000
- In-State$11,880
- Out-of-state$11,880
- Retention RateN/A
- Acceptance Rate89%
- Students Enrolled10,231
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment96%
- AccreditationYes
University of West Alabama
- Livingston, AL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$9,100
- Out-of-state$18,200
- In-State$6,678
- Out-of-state$13,356
- Retention Rate67%
- Acceptance Rate35%
- Students Enrolled5,653
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment77%
- AccreditationYes
Choosing an Online Program
When researching online counseling programs, prospective students should consider several factors:
- Cost
- School and program accreditation
- Program length
- Practicum stipulations
- On-campus requirements
- School graduation rate
Some students may prefer local schools with the opportunity for on-campus meetings, while others may seek fully online programs with local practicum settings.
Researching program length, concentration options, and specialized accreditation can help narrow your options. Learn more about how to choose an online program below.
Master’s in Family Counseling Curriculum
During a master’s in marriage and family counseling, graduate students take courses covering psychotherapy theories, counseling techniques, and ethical issues in counseling. Many programs also let students choose electives based on their career interests.
These courses prepare master’s students for practical learning and careers in family counseling after graduation.
Introduction to Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling
This course introduces family dynamics and family counseling practice. Assignments explore the history of the profession, its theoretical underpinnings, and ethical frameworks that guide the delivery of care. Students also review preparation standards and credentials relevant to specialty areas within the broader field.Counseling and Psychotherapy Theories
In this class, enrollees explore therapeutic theories and techniques used in mental health counseling. Students explore the strengths and weaknesses of individual theories, learning which to rely upon in specific clinical settings.Techniques in Counseling
Students in this course hone their practical counseling skills by learning to conduct interviews, make behavioral observations, appropriately interpret patient responses, and share their findings through written reports. The class also teaches enrollees to limit their personal beliefs and biases in counseling their clients.Ethics and Legal Issues in Counseling
Marriage and family therapists need a deep understanding of the ethical and legal challenges they may face in the workforce. Students in this course critically examine and apply ethical standards of their profession, such as the American Counseling Association’s Code of Ethics.Crisis, Trauma, and Disaster Response
This course prepares learners to help their patients cope with trauma, such as sexual assault, terrorism, or natural disasters. Topics covered include trauma therapy competencies, vicarious trauma and countertransference, crisis assessment tools, and specific diagnoses within this crisis counseling, such as post-traumatic stress disorder.Counseling Practicum
Counseling practicums are supervised fieldwork experiences at approved sites in distance learners’ local areas. Practicums may occur toward the end of the master’s program or when students have completed their prerequisite courses. Participants apply theories and techniques learned in class to real-world settings, transitioning from trainees to professional practitioners.
How to Become a Marriage and Family Therapist
Marriage and family therapists (MFTs) are licensed professionals who work with couples, families, and individual clients. They help clients process, adjust to, and cope with relationship issues. These might include addiction, divorce, grief, and other challenges.
An MFT must possess a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in MFT or a related mental health field, complete post-master’s supervised training, and obtain state licensure. These therapists make a median annual salary of $58,510, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ 2023 data.
Steps to Become a Marriage and Family Therapist
Licensure and experience requirements may vary by state, which you can confirm on the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Board (AMFTRB)’s website. Discover the general education, training, and licensing needed to become an MFT in the following section.
- 1
Earn a Bachelor’s Degree from an Accredited Program
Step one entails earning a bachelor’s degree, preferably in a family life or mental health field, such as family studies, sociology, social work, or psychology. Make sure you attend an accredited institution — becoming a licensed MFT requires a master’s degree, and accredited graduate schools do not admit students or accept transfer credits from non-accredited programs.
- 2
Complete an Internship During Your Master’s Program
Online master’s in family therapy programs include internships. Programs often allow distance learners to complete them in their home communities. Master’s programs may provide placement services, or you may need to secure placements on your own. Internships provide experiential learning opportunities under the supervision of a family counselor or MFT. Students may complete more than one internship.
- 3
Graduate from an Accredited Master’s Program in a Mental Health Field
MFTs need a master’s degree from an accredited program to become licensed. Common master’s degrees include family counseling, family life, psychology, and marriage and family therapy.
State licensure boards typically require degrees from programs accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs, the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education, or the Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council. Master’s degree programs usually take 2-3 years to complete.
- 4
Complete Supervised Experience
State licensing boards require MFT candidates to complete supervised experience with an approved supervisor after graduation. Hourly requirements range from 1,000-4,000 over 1-3 years, depending on state laws. Participants counsel individuals and groups in direct clinical contact. Trainees gain skills in assessing, diagnosing, and treating behavioral, cognitive, and emotional disorders and mental illness.
- 5
Apply for State Licensure
Upon completion of supervised experience, MFT candidates apply for their licenses. Licensure requirements vary by state. In general, each applicant must hold a graduate degree in MFT or a related mental health field from an accredited program and institution.
- 6
Pass the National Licensure Exam
The Examination in Marital and Family Therapy comprises 180 multiple-choice questions that test examinees’ essential knowledge for practicing marriage and family therapy. Content areas include the practice of systematic therapy; assessing, hypothesizing, and diagnosing; designing and conducting treatment; and evaluating ongoing processes. The exam fee is currently $370. Test-takers have four hours to complete the exam at Prometric test centers.
Salary and Career Outlook for Marriage and Family Therapists
10,600
Projected New Openings for Marriage and Family Therapists from 2022-2032
$58,510
Median Annual Salary for Marriage and Family Therapists
Source: BLS
According to May 2023 BLS data, MFTs earn a median annual salary of $58,510. The lowest 10% of earners average $39,090 a year, and the highest 10% make $104,710.
Earning potential can vary by industry or workplace, geographical location, education level, and length of experience. For example, the highest-paying state is New Jersey, where MFTs average $92,120 a year. Emerging MFTs can raise their average pay by $6,000 annually with 5-9 years of experience, according to May 2024 Payscale data.
The BLS projects an employment growth rate of 15% from 2022-2032 — more than quadrupling the average for all occupations. This percentage translates to 10,600 MFT jobs projected over ten years.
Cost of Online Master’s in Family Counseling Programs
$10,350
Median Annual Tuition and Fees for Online Master’s in Psychology Programs
$26,580
Median Annual Student Budget for Online Master’s in Psychology Programs
Source: NCES
The data above shows that the median annual tuition and fees for an online psychology master’s degree is $10,350, and the student budget averages $26,580. Along with tuition and fees, student budgets include annual costs of housing, food, and transportation.
Cost-saving measures include attending a school where you can pay in-state tuition, living at home, and completing experiential hours in your local community. Online programs often accommodate working students, too.
Distance learners can also apply for financial aid, including loans, scholarships, and work-study opportunities. Check your department’s website for scholarships specific to MFTs or a related mental health field. Your school’s financial aid webpage may provide other cost reduction options, such as loan repayment or forgiveness programs.
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Master’s in Family Counseling
An MA in counseling can be worth students’ time and money. The average annual student budget for psychology master’s online students totals $26,580, and the average annual salary for MFTs is $68,730, indicating a potential return on investment.
An MS emphasizes science and research aspects of counseling, such as statistics and empirical evidence, to inform practice, while an MA focuses more on ethical issues, theory, and therapeutic approaches. Both can prepare you for MFT licensure.
“LPCC” is the acronym for licensed professional clinical counselor, and “MFT” stands for marriage and family therapists. Both provide counseling services to clients, but MFTs specialize in couples, family, and relationship counseling.
A licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) assesses, diagnoses, and treats individuals, couples, and families for behavioral, cognitive, and emotional disorders that impact relationships. A licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) helps people cope with daily challenges, assists them with adjusting to life changes, and connects clients with community resources and social services. Both professionals diagnose and treat mental health conditions, but LCSWs approach their work with a community framework, while LMFTs work primarily with families and couples.
“MFT” stands for marriage and family therapist, a type of counselor who specializes in addictions, mental health challenges, disorders, and issues affecting relationships within marriages and among family members.
Note: The insights on this page — excluding school descriptions — were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by TheBestSchools. Page last reviewed May 22, 2024.
