What you’ll learn in this article…
- Only two MFT programs in Arizona currently hold COAMFTE accreditation, making program choice critical for licensure portability.
- Expect roughly two additional years and about 3,200 supervised clinical hours after your master's before earning LMFT licensure.
- Arizona LMFT salaries can exceed $100,000 depending on location, specialization, and negotiation strategy.
- ASU's MAS in Marriage and Family Therapy is offered entirely in person on the Tempe campus with no online option.
Master's degree or graduate certificate: the entry point you choose for marriage and family therapy training in Arizona shapes your licensure timeline, your clinical hours, and your long-term career flexibility. The state has only a handful of MFT-specific graduate programs, yet demand for licensed marriage and family therapists continues to climb, driven by expanding behavioral health coverage and persistent provider shortages across Maricopa County and rural communities alike.
Arizona's LMFT path requires roughly 3,200 supervised clinical hours after graduation, and only two in-state programs currently hold COAMFTE accreditation. That scarcity makes program selection high-stakes, especially when tuition, format, and post-graduation earning potential vary as widely as they do here. Below, we break down every accredited and board-approved option, compare costs and career outcomes, and walk through the full licensure process so you can make a confident, informed decision.
Best MFT Programs in Arizona: Rankings and Comparison
Arizona is home to a small but varied set of graduate programs that prepare students for careers in marriage and family therapy. Only two programs in the state currently hold COAMFTE accreditation, the gold standard recognized by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education. The remaining options are either CACREP-accredited counseling programs with an MFT emphasis or state-board-approved MFT degrees. Each pathway carries different implications for licensure, so understanding accreditation distinctions is essential before you apply.
- Accreditation and licensure alignment
- Graduate earnings and debt outcomes
- Program format and accessibility
- Clinical training requirements
- Institutional graduation and retention
- Independent program research
- College Scorecard graduate earnings — collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Internal program database
- NCES-IPEDS federal institutional data — nces.ed.gov
Arizona State University
Arizona State University's Master of Advanced Study in Marriage and Family Therapy is one of only two COAMFTE-accredited MFT programs in Arizona, and it is also approved by the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners. Designed as an accelerated 16 to 18 month in-person program requiring just 39 credit hours, it is built for students who want to enter the Arizona MFT workforce quickly. The curriculum includes 300 client-contact hours through supervised internships at community agencies across the Phoenix metro area, and graduates complete a master's research paper, blending clinical readiness with scholarly inquiry.
- COAMFTE-accredited and AZ Board of Behavioral Health approved
- Accelerated 16 to 18 month completion timeline
- 39 credit hours with a master's research paper
- 300 client-contact internship hours required
- In-person format on the Tempe campus
- Minimum 3.0 GPA and related bachelor's degree required
- Prepares graduates specifically for Arizona LMFT licensure
Master of Advanced Study in Marriage and Family Therapy — On-Campus
Prescott College
Prescott College offers a CACREP-accredited Master of Science in Counseling with a Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling concentration. At 60 credits and $830 per credit, this hybrid program delivers the majority of coursework online with a required three-day campus residency, making it one of the most accessible options for working professionals across Arizona, including those in rural or tribal communities. The curriculum centers on social justice and counseling diverse populations, and students can stack graduate certificates in areas like expressive arts therapy to broaden their clinical skill set. Note that this program is not COAMFTE-accredited; it prepares graduates for licensure as professional counselors rather than specifically as LMFTs.
- CACREP-accredited, not COAMFTE-accredited
- 60 credit hours at $830 per credit
- Hybrid format: online coursework with three-day campus residency
- Practicum and internship can be completed in home community
- Social justice and multicultural counseling curriculum focus
- No GRE or GMAT required for admission
- Stackable graduate certificates in specialty areas available
Master of Science in Counseling, Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling Concentration — Hybrid
Grand Canyon University
Grand Canyon University offers two online master's-level counseling programs with an MFT emphasis: the MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with an Emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy (74 credits) and the MS in Professional Counseling with an Emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy. Both are CACREP-accredited and integrate a Christian worldview, but they prepare graduates for Licensed Associate Counselor and Licensed Professional Counselor credentials in Arizona rather than direct LMFT licensure. With over 700 supervised field hours built into the curriculum, GCU's programs exceed many state minimums and give graduates substantial hands-on experience with couples and families. Field placements can be completed locally, and the online, eight-week course format suits students balancing work and study.
- CACREP-accredited with Christian worldview integration
- 74 total credit hours at $600 per credit
- Fully online with eight-week course terms
- 700+ supervised field hours including practicum and internship
- Prepares for Arizona LAC and LPC licensure, not LMFT
- Covers family systems theory, substance use, and trauma
- 2.8 minimum GPA required for standard admission
- CACREP-accredited master's degree
- Online delivery with supervised internship component
- Curriculum aligned with NBCC national certification standards
- Training for diverse client populations and family systems
- Prepares for Arizona licensure and national board certification
- No thesis or capstone project required
MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with an Emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy — Online
MS in Professional Counseling with an Emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy — On-Campus
Arizona Christian University
Arizona Christian University's residential, cohort-based MS in Marriage and Family Therapy is grounded in a biblical worldview and designed specifically for Arizona LMFT licensure preparation. The core program requires 57 credit hours, with an optional nine-credit Families with Disabilities emphasis that targets a growing niche in community-based and hospital settings. Based in Glendale, the program fosters close-knit cohorts likely to enter the Arizona workforce together. While the institution's overall graduation rate of roughly 40% is modest, this figure reflects the university as a whole and does not necessarily describe outcomes within the graduate MFT program itself. This program is not COAMFTE-accredited but has published a professional licensure disclosure affirming alignment with Arizona state requirements.
- 57 credit hours with residential cohort-based format
- Biblical worldview integrated throughout the curriculum
- Prepares graduates for Arizona LMFT licensure
- Optional 9-credit Families with Disabilities emphasis
- Minimum 3.0 GPA and two character references required
- Faculty interview and statement of faith agreement needed
- Pathway to doctoral study in MFT or related fields
Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy — On-Campus
What Is an MFT Degree and Why Does Accreditation Matter?
The distinction between accreditation types is one of the most misunderstood topics in marriage and family therapy education, and getting it wrong can cost you years of frustration when you try to get licensed in another state.
What an MFT Degree Actually Is
A Marriage and Family Therapy degree is a specialized graduate credential that trains clinicians to work with couples, families, and individuals through a systemic, relational lens. It is distinct from the degrees that lead to other behavioral health licenses. Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) typically graduate from general counseling programs and focus on individual mental health treatment. Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs) earn a Master of Social Work and often emphasize community systems, case management, and social justice alongside clinical practice. MFT graduates, by contrast, are trained specifically to assess and treat relational dynamics, family systems, and couple interactions. In Arizona, the MFT pathway leads first to the Licensed Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (LAMFT) credential and ultimately to full LMFT licensure through the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners (AZBBHE).1
COAMFTE vs. AZBBHE Approval: They Are Not the Same Thing
Many prospective students assume that a program must hold COAMFTE accreditation to qualify them for licensure in Arizona. That is not accurate, and most competitor guides fail to make the distinction clear.
COAMFTE, the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education, is a specialized accreditor that evaluates MFT graduate programs at the national level. It sets standards for curriculum, clinical training, and faculty qualifications. Graduating from a COAMFTE-accredited program is one pathway to meeting Arizona's education requirement for LMFT licensure.
However, the AZBBHE also recognizes programs that have been previously approved by the board or that the board determines to be "substantially equivalent" to COAMFTE-accredited programs.2 This means some Arizona programs that do not carry COAMFTE accreditation can still qualify graduates for state licensure. You can verify a program's status through the AZBBHE's approved and accredited programs lookup.
The practical takeaway: COAMFTE accreditation is not strictly required for Arizona licensure, but it matters enormously if you ever plan to move. Many other states require graduation from a COAMFTE-accredited program as a condition of licensure, and without it, you may face additional coursework, supervised hours, or outright denial when seeking license portability. For a broader look at the profession and its requirements nationwide, see our guide on how to become a marriage and family therapist.
Where CACREP Fits In
Another accreditation you will encounter is CACREP, the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs. CACREP accredits counseling programs, not MFT programs specifically. Some universities house their MFT training within a broader counseling department that holds CACREP accreditation, which can create confusion. A CACREP-accredited program prepares you for LPC licensure, not LMFT licensure, unless the program also meets AZBBHE or COAMFTE requirements for MFT content.
In short, COAMFTE is the MFT-specific accreditor, CACREP is the counseling-specific accreditor, and the AZBBHE is the state licensing board that decides which programs qualify you to practice in Arizona. Understanding these three entities and how they relate to each other will save you from enrolling in a program that does not align with your licensing goals.
Minimum Education Requirements at a Glance
Regardless of accreditation pathway, Arizona requires MFT licensure candidates to complete specific coursework, including:1
- Human Development: At least one 3-credit course
- Marriage and Family Studies: At least one 3-credit course
- Marriage and Family Therapy: At least one 3-credit course
- Research: At least one 3-credit course
- Professional Studies: At least one 3-credit course
- Practicum and Internship: At least two courses, with a minimum of 300 client contact hours supervised by an LMFT
These requirements apply whether your program is COAMFTE-accredited or board-approved through the substantial equivalency route. Confirm that any program you are considering covers all of these areas before you commit.
Questions to Ask Yourself
MFT Degree Levels in Arizona: Master's, Graduate Certificate, and Doctorate
Not every MFT program leads to the same destination. Before you apply anywhere, it helps to understand what each degree level actually gets you, because the path to LMFT licensure in Arizona runs through specific program types, and not every credential qualifies.
The Master's Degree: The Core Licensure Pathway
For most students, a master's degree in marriage and family therapy is the starting point and, in many cases, the finish line. Nationally, COAMFTE-accredited master's programs typically require around 60 semester credits and include at least 500 supervised clinical hours. Arizona's approved programs vary somewhat in structure.1 Arizona State University's Master of Advanced Study in Marriage and Family Therapy, for example, requires 39 credits, a master's research paper, and 300 client-contact internship hours, and it meets Arizona's degree requirements for LMFT licensure.2 The University of Arizona launched its own M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy with its first cohort starting Fall 2026, also designed to meet the state's LAMFT and LMFT licensure requirements.3
If clinical practice is your goal, a master's from a state-approved program is the degree you need.
Graduate Certificates: A Post-Master's Specialization
Graduate certificates in MFT serve a different purpose entirely. They are designed for professionals who already hold a master's degree and want to deepen their knowledge in marriage and family therapy, not for students entering the field for the first time.
National University offers an 18-credit Post-Master's MFT Certificate that falls into this category.4 It is a post-master's specialization and does not qualify graduates for LMFT licensure in Arizona on its own. That distinction matters. If you are a licensed counselor or social worker looking to add systemic and relational therapy skills to your practice, a certificate like this can be a focused, efficient option. If you are unlicensed and working toward independent practice, you will need a qualifying master's degree first.
Doctoral Programs: Academia, Supervision, and Advanced Practice
A doctorate in MFT opens doors that a master's degree does not, particularly in university teaching, clinical supervision, research, and leadership roles within behavioral health organizations. Doctoral programs are not required for licensure in Arizona, but they are well-suited to students who want to train the next generation of therapists or contribute to the field through scholarship.
Arizona currently has limited doctoral MFT options compared to states like California or Texas, so students pursuing this level often look at hybrid or out-of-state programs. For a closer look at how another large state structures its offerings, our guide to the best MFT programs in Texas provides a useful comparison point.
Related Articles
Online and Accelerated MFT Programs in Arizona
Arizona State University does not currently offer its MAS in Marriage and Family Therapy program online.1 As of the 2025-2026 academic year, ASU's program is delivered entirely in person on the Tempe campus, with no hybrid or distance-learning components. While this may change in future cohorts, prospective students should plan for on-campus attendance throughout the 16- to 18-month curriculum, including all coursework and the required 300 hours of clinical training.
Does Arizona Have an 18-Month MFT Program?
Yes. ASU's MAS in Marriage and Family Therapy is designed as an accelerated, cohort-based program that students can complete in 16 to 18 months of continuous full-time study.1 The program packs 39 credits and a 12-month internship into a compressed timeline, making it one of the fastest COAMFTE-accredited pathways to LMFT licensure in the Southwest. Students enter each fall and progress through a lock-step sequence of courses and clinical placements. The trade-off: the pace is intense, with limited flexibility to pause or extend coursework. Students who need part-time enrollment or who work full-time during their studies will find the accelerated format challenging, if not prohibitive.
Hybrid Models and Clinical Practicums
Even when MFT programs offer online coursework, clinical training almost always requires in-person participation. Practicum and internship hours must be completed under qualified supervision, typically at approved community mental health centers, family therapy clinics, or university counseling facilities. Students considering hybrid programs should verify that they can fulfill Arizona's 1,750 postgraduate clinical hours for LMFT licensure and confirm that out-of-state supervision will be recognized by the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners.
Out-of-State COAMFTE Programs as an Alternative
Students living in Arizona are not restricted to in-state schools. Several COAMFTE-accredited mft programs nationwide offer fully online or low-residency formats, allowing Arizona residents to complete didactic coursework remotely and arrange local clinical placements. Before enrolling in an out-of-state online program, confirm that the curriculum meets Arizona's specific education and supervised-experience requirements for LMFT licensure. Some students find that the flexibility of a distance program outweighs the logistical complexity of coordinating supervision across state lines, but licensure boards do not grant retroactive credit for mismatched training.
How to Become an LMFT in Arizona: Licensure Requirements
Arizona's path to Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) status involves multiple stages overseen by the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners (AZBBHE). Because specific requirements can change, always verify the latest details directly with the board and your graduate program. The steps below outline the general progression most candidates follow.
After earning your master's degree, expect to spend roughly two more years completing about 3,200 hours of supervised clinical experience before you can sit for the LMFT licensing exam in Arizona. That timeline adds up fast. Choosing a COAMFTE-accredited program that front-loads clinical practicum hours during coursework can shave months off the total path to independent licensure.
MFT Program Costs and ROI in Arizona
Understanding the true cost of an MFT program means looking beyond sticker price. The table below compares annual tuition, institution-wide average net price (after grants and scholarships), median graduate debt, and a debt-to-earnings ratio that helps approximate long-term return on investment. Program-level earnings data (such as median salary one or four years after graduation) is not yet available for these MFT programs, so the earnings figures shown reflect institution-wide medians at ten years after enrollment. Keep in mind that net price figures are institution-wide averages and may not reflect what MFT graduate students specifically pay.
| School | Annual Tuition | Avg. Net Price (Institution-Wide) | Median Graduate Debt | Median Earnings (10 yr, Institution-Wide) | Debt-to-Earnings Ratio (ROI) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona State University | $10,843 | Not available | $19,500 | $62,668 | 3.21 |
| Prescott College | $18,630 | $22,583 | $16,300 | $42,359 | 2.60 |
| Arizona Christian University | $14,620 | $32,839 | $23,000 | $51,612 | 2.24 |
| Grand Canyon University | $10,015 | $22,472 | $22,114 | $42,186 | 1.91 |
LMFT Salary and Career Outlook in Arizona
Your earning potential as a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) in Arizona can exceed $100,000, but exactly what you make depends on where you practice, your specialization, and how you leverage salary data during negotiations. The following guide shows you where to find accurate, Arizona-specific wage figures and how to interpret them for your career planning.
Arizona MFT Salaries at a Glance: BLS Data
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program provides the most reliable wage data for LMFTs (SOC 21-1013) and mental health counselors (SOC 21-1014). According to the most recent release, marriage and family therapists in Arizona earned a median annual wage of $58,910. The percentile breakdown reveals a wide spread:
- 10th percentile: $37,220
- 25th percentile: $46,880
- 50th percentile (median): $58,910
- 75th percentile: $77,650
- 90th percentile: $100,680
Metro-level data shows higher earnings in dense markets. In the Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale metro area, the median was $61,200, while Tucson reported a median of $54,300. For comparison, mental health counselors (which include LPCs) had a statewide median of $50,390, illustrating that MFT licensure often commands a premium. If you are exploring that related path, our guide on becoming a mental health counselor offers a detailed breakdown of steps and requirements.
How to Use the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics Tool
Visit bls.gov/oes and enter the SOC codes 21-1013 (Marriage and Family Therapists) and 21-1014 (Mental Health Counselors). Select Arizona as the state, then refine by metro area (Phoenix or Tucson) to see local medians and percentiles. The tool also lets you compare across states, which is useful if you are considering relocation after graduation. Bookmark the page; BLS updates these figures annually.
State Board and Professional Association Salary Guides
The Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners website includes occasional salary surveys and workforce reports that are specific to licensed clinicians. Additionally, the Arizona Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT-AZ) often publishes local salary guides or links to member-exclusive compensation studies. These sources can capture nuances like private practice income versus agency salaries that BLS data may not reflect.
Tap Alumni Networks and University Career Offices
Programs themselves are gold mines of real-world earnings data. Contact the career services offices at Arizona State University, University of Arizona, or other MFT programs you are considering. Many track graduate placement rates and starting salaries, and some publish alumni salary reports. These give you program-level benchmarks you won't find in national datasets. Having a strong marriage and family therapist resume ready can also help you benchmark the roles and salaries you are targeting.
Balance Online Estimates with Official Data
Salary comparison sites like Glassdoor, Indeed, and Payscale let you filter by job title (e.g., "Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist" or "Licensed Professional Counselor") and location in Arizona. These tools often report average total pay including bonuses, but they rely on self-reported data. Always cross-reference findings with the BLS figures to catch inflated or outdated numbers before you set your salary expectations.
FAQ: MFT Programs in Arizona
Choosing an MFT program in Arizona involves questions about format, cost, licensure timelines, and whether a particular school's degree will actually qualify you for practice. Below are the questions prospective students ask most often, answered with current facts to help you plan confidently.
