Marriage and Family Therapist Degrees in Florida
Having this designation is important to prepare those interested in obtaining licensure in the state for the MFT profession. These programs will offer hundreds of hours in clinical work experience and are typically at universities that are regionally accredited by other agencies.
When seeking employment, many organizations will recognize degrees that have been earned through programs accredited by COAMFTE as they are known for their high academic standards when reviewing their curriculum.
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 |
Online MFT Programs in Florida
While Nova Southeastern University is the only campus based COAMFTE-accredited university within the state, there is an option to pursue online programs. Among the handful of online-based programs are the Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy at Syracuse University.
Programs that still meet the rigorous standards set by COAMFTE will count toward the licensure requirements needed to become a licensed marriage and family therapist in the state of Florida. Students should consult the COAMFTE website to examine other online opportunities. For students looking at further education, Nova Southeastern University and Florida State University offer accredited PhDs that are campus-based.
COAMFTE Accredited MFT Programs in Florida
Nova Southeastern University’s Family Therapy Masters Program
The only accredited institution in the state of Florida offers a Master of Science in Family Therapy through the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences. This program is offered to either full-time or part-time students, and classes meet on the main campus at Fort Lauderdale.
Those taking the program on a full-time basis can complete it in two years, while part-time students may need up to three years. While the program is not fully available online, students will be utilizing the Canvas learning management system for interaction with faculty members and other students, accessing course materials, and completing certain assignments and projects.
60 credit hours are needed to complete this degree, and example courses within the curriculum include Introduction to Systems Theory, Theories of Marital and Family Therapy, Group Psychotherapy, and Theories of Personality and Psychopathology. Students have the option to pick a concentration in Equine Assisted Family Therapy, one of the latest innovations in the field that helps patients dealing with substance abuse and veterans suffering from PTSD. 500 total client-contact hours are needed within the practicum, with half of that going toward relational hours with patients. An additional 100 supervision hours are needed, and a comprehensive exam culminates the program.
LMFT Licensure in Florida
The Florida Department of Health handles marriage and family therapist licensing and registering interns. Initial requirements for registration include an official transcript designating that the student has completed a Master’s degree in an MFT discipline with at least 36 credit hours. At least 180 direct hours working with a client are needed in a practicum and at least 1,500 hours having psychotherapy with clients. An examination from the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB) must be passed, along with completing eight hours of a Florida law and rules course, three hours of an HIV and AIDS course, and two hours of a domestic violence course. Registered interns can bypass the need of sending transcripts.
Florida Board of Clinical SW, MFT and MHC
4052 Bald Cypress Way BIN #C08
Tallahassee, FL 32399-3257
Website
LMFT Licensure:
- Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
- Registered Marriage and Family Therapist Intern
LMFT Careers and Salaries in Florida
The state of Florida has one of the highest concentrations of marriage and family therapy professionals in the country with over 2,810 employed according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Salary averages are roughly around the national average at $50,680 annually and sees between $27,580 up to $66,160 at the lower and higher ends. Popular companies that are employing relationship therapists are at Chrysalis Health in Fort Lauderdale who specialize in community-based programs for mental health and substance abuse, and Florida Therapy Services with offices in Panama City, Tallahassee, Pensacola, and more.
Popular Online MFT Programs
Liberty University 🗹 Online
Grand Canyon University 🗹 Online
Campus-Based COAMFTE Accredited Florida 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 Florida. You can view online COAMFTE accredited MFT counseling programs or all Florida counseling degrees.
- PhD in MFT
- MS in Marriage and Family Therapy
- PhD in MFT
