COAMFTE-Accredited Programs in Iowa
University of Iowa
Those seeking higher-level graduate education may consider the PhD in Couple and Family Therapy through the College of Education. The majority of the curriculum is reserved for academic research with some clinical practicum. Students will pursue researching topics in qualitative research methods, intermediate statistical methods, and counseling research.
The program culminates with a comprehensive exam, dissertation, and a defense of the dissertation. To get into the program, students should have at least a Bachelor's degree from an accredited school, the Master's degree should be within marriage and family therapy, and the undergraduate and graduate GPA should be 3.0 or higher. Prospective students chosen in this process will then complete an on-campus interview.
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 |
Mount Mercy University's MA in Marriage and Family Therapy
Students can pursue the Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy at Mount Mercy in Cedar Rapids. This is a 60-credit hour curriculum with classes that are completed in 5-week or 10-week blocks, and the entire program can be finished within two years.
Students will be also be completing clinical practicum sessions and will be prepared to take and pass the national exam for MFT professionals. Example courses include Models of Couples Therapy, Psychopathology and the Family, and Neuroscience for Marriage and Family Therapy.
A number of employers have partnered with the school to give students a 10 percent discount on the program, including nationally recognized companies like US Bank, Tax Act, Toyota, and PepsiCo.
LMFT Licensure in Iowa
In order to gain licensure in marriage and family therapy in the state of Iowa, students must have a Master’s degree in the field and the practicum should have at least 300 hours of clinical work.
MFT Licensure Requirements
Those that took a program accredited by the COAMFTE will satisfy all educational requirements, otherwise the graduate will need to review if the course they have taken meet the state criteria. After completing higher education, graduates can gain a temporary license and take the national exam. Post-graduate work should consist of 3,000 total hours of experience with half of that including direct client contact. At least 200 hours of supervision is required.
Iowa Board of Behavioral Science Examiners
Iowa Dept. Public Health
Prof Licensing Lucas State Office Bldg., 5th floor
321 East 12th Street
Des Moines, IA 50319-0075
Website
LMFT Licensure:
- Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
LMFT Careers and Salaries in Iowa
There are over 680 jobs in the field of marriage and family therapy in the state of Iowa according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is a modest number compared to other states across the United States and matches a number of locations around Iowa, such as Wisconsin and Illinois.
Median pay sits around $49,410 annually, which is a bit smaller than the national average, but that number can grow to above $87,900 in the 90th percentile.
Job opportunities in the state can be found at the Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration in Des Moines, Heartland Family Services in Council Bluffs, and UnityPoint Health in various locations.
Popular Online MFT Programs
Liberty University 🗹 Online
Grand Canyon University 🗹 Online
Campus-Based COAMFTE Accredited Iowa 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 Iowa. You can view online COAMFTE accredited MFT counseling programs or all Iowa counseling degrees.
- MA in Marriage and Family Therapy
- PhD in MFT
