Maryland is next to multiple states that do have institutions that offer accredited options. Pennsylvania has numerous program opportunities for both Master's degrees and general post-degrees. For example, LaSalle University offers a Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy that should meet all of Maryland's state licensure requirements.
COAMFTE-Accredited Programs in Maryland
While the University of Maryland is exclusive to graduate-level education within marriage and family therapy, there are alternatives that prospective students can turn to and still pursue a COAMFTE-accredited program.
An additional option for maximum flexibility in pursuing higher education is pursuing an online degree. Syracuse University, also in the Northeast region, offers an online Master's program where students will complete the academic criteria fully online and work clinical practicum sessions locally at a verified venue.
Students should consider the technical requirements and determine if the online program is best for them. Typical needs are a modern computer with a Windows or Mac operating system, and a high-speed internet connection to view and download course lectures and other material.
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 |
University of Maryland's Masters in Couple and Family Therapy
The Department of Family Science offers students with an accredited Master of Science in Couple and Family Therapy. Students have the ability to choose a path that includes or does not include a thesis project. Those that are looking to pursue a PhD should consider the thesis project, which requires 51 total credit hours to complete.
The non-thesis path requires three less credit hours to complete. Example courses that students will complete includes Research Methods in Family Science, Normal and Abnormal Individual and Family Development, and Theory and Techniques of Family Meditation. To get into the program, prospective students should have at least an undergraduate degree with a 3.0 cumulative GPA or higher.
LMFT Licensure in Maryland
Licensing for marriage and family therapists in the state of Maryland are done through the state’s Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists.
Maryland MFT Licensure Requirements
To meet the educational requirement, students will need to complete at least 60 credit hours of coursework when obtaining at least a Master’s degree. Within this education, there should be a minimum of 300 direct client contact hours and 60 hours of supervision. Coursework should consist of psychopathology, human development, ethics, and similar topics.
There are two exams that need to be completed after education – the national exam and a jurisprudence exam, known as the Maryland Professional Counselors and Therapists Law and Regulations test.
For required hours in supervised practice, it depends on whether the applicant chooses to be a licensed graduate or clinical MFT. The latter is the more traditional route, needing over 2,000 hours of post-graduate practice.
The supervisor must either be a licensed CMFT in the state of Maryland or a supervisor that has been approved by the American Association for Marriage and Family Training (AAMFT). For graduate MFT, they need 100 hours of clinical supervision, and they can apply twice for a license extension that also lasts two years at a time.
Maryland State Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists
4201 Patterson Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21215-2299
Website
LMFT Licensure:
- Licensed Clinical Marriage and Family Therapist
- Licensed Graduate Marriage and Family Therapist
LMFT Careers and Salaries in Maryland
The median salary for marriage and family therapists throughout the state of Maryland is around $49,000 according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
This is slightly lower than the national average, and is a decrease from the neighboring states of Delaware, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. Like many states in the Northeastern portion of the country, there is high employment - at least 1,300 workers in the field.
Baltimore is the most popular location for job opportunities, and those looking for a career should consider Thriveworks, Freedom Healthcare Systems, and Innovative Therapeutic Services.
Popular Online MFT Programs
Liberty University 🗹 Online
Grand Canyon University 🗹 Online
Campus-Based COAMFTE Accredited Maryland 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 Maryland. You can view online COAMFTE accredited MFT counseling programs or all Maryland counseling degrees.
- MS in Marriage and Family Therapy
