Northwestern University MS in Marriage and Family Therapy
The Family Institute at Northwestern offers a Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy, which includes over 500 hours of direct clinical work and 250 hours of supervision.
All clinical practicum sessions will take place within the university's own clinic, The Center for Applied Psychological and Family Studies. There are two different tracks that students can take to customize their experience: the Clinical track and Clinical and Research track.
Clinical MFT Track
The Clinical track will focus on internship placement and a capstone project related to the experience, along with a written paper. The Clinical and Research Track will offer lab sessions and is geared toward those taking a PhD course int he future. This track concludes with a Master's thesis and capstone project.
Consider a Featured Online MFT Program
| School and Program Information | Online Program? Entry Requirements |
Course Information |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Lamar University
Master of Education in Counseling & Development - Marriage Couple & Family Counseling
AAQEP Accredited |
✔ Online
Minimum 3.0 Undergrad GPA |
Learn how to diagnose mental and emotional disorders and resolve marriage and family conflicts related to divorce, mediation, child rearing, family violence and more. 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 |
Northern Illinois University MS in Applied Human Development and Family Sciences
There is a specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy within the Master of Science in Applied Human Development and Family Sciences program at Northern Illinois.
The entire program requires 54 credit hours to complete, which takes approximately two years.
Courses
Examples of courses in this specialized program include Human Development and Family Studies, Treatment of Children and Adolescents, and Family Stress and Structural Diversity. Students are admitted once per year before the spring semester, and final deadline for applications is January 15th. Application requirements include unofficial transcripts, GRE scores, three letters of recommendation, updated resume, and a statement of purpose. A background check must also be performed before entering practicum courses.
Adler University MA in Couple and Family Therapy
The Master of Arts in Couple and Family Therapy helps students gain the experience needed to work with established faculty members in the industry through community-based practicum sessions and providing an opportunity to explore real-world scenarios.
This program is anticipated to be for full-time students and can be completed within two years.
Along with clinical practicum, there is a comprehensive exam that culminates the program at the end. Being part of the alumni association will give students the ability to expand their networking opportunities when looking for employment after graduation. Students that have entered the program in 2015 and 2016 have enjoyed a 100 percent pass rate on national exams when gaining the licensure.
LMFT Licensure in Illinois
The Illinois Department of Professional Regulation handles licensure for MFT positions throughout the state. Those that have taken a program accredited by COAMFTE will meet the requirements needed for licensure, otherwise specific coursework in family relations, clinical practice and practicum, professional studies and ethics, and research are needed.
In total, there should be 48 total semester hours dedicated to subjects within MFT. At least 3,000 total work experience hours should be accounted for, with that being under professional supervision between two to five years. A third of those hours should be dedicated to directly working with patients.
Beginning in 2017, those that have been previously excluded from health care work can apply for a licensure and it will be reviewed by the department.
Illinois Marriage and Family Therapist Licensing and Disciplinary Board
Illinois Dpt of Professional Regulation
320 W. Washington St., 3rd Floor
Springfield, IL 62786
Website
LMFT Licensure:
- Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
- Associate Marriage and Family Therapist
LMFT Careers and Salaries in Illinois
Illinois has a median salary of approximately $47,200, which is lower than the national average according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
This is normal around the central part of the United States, but is a little lower than some neighboring states like Indiana, Wisconsin, and Milwaukee.
There are over 440 employees within MFT, and the sector will continue to get larger as health insurance continues to expand their coverage on mental health. Eventual graduates from these programs will find plenty of opportunities within MFT at Pillars Community Health in Berwyn, the Great Lakes Psychology Group in Naperville, and North Shore Family Services at various locations throughout the state.
Popular Online MFT Programs
Liberty University 🗹 Online
Grand Canyon University 🗹 Online
Campus-Based COAMFTE Accredited Illinois MFT Degrees
The COAMFTE (Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education) is the top accrediting board for MFT programs. Below is a list of COAMFTE accredited MFT programs in Illinois. You can view online COAMFTE accredited MFT counseling programs or all Illinois counseling degrees.
- Master's (M.A.) in Couple and Family Therapy
- PhD in MFT
- MS in Marriage and Family Therapy
- MA in Marriage and Family Therapy
