Best Marriage & Family Therapy (MFT) Programs Near Atlanta
Atlanta's six-million-strong metro area — home to the CDC, Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, and a thriving film industry — relies on tight-knit families and community ties to keep pace with its rapid growth. In 2024 the Georgia General Assembly appropriated $188 million to expand the state's mental-health workforce, partly to meet record demand for marriage and family therapy (MFT) services. That same year metro Atlanta's median household income climbed to $81,938, yet still buys more square footage than in most coastal cities. Together, those factors make Atlanta one of the country's most attractive—and affordable—places to train as a marriage and family therapist.
The city's clinical ecosystem is equally compelling. Emory Healthcare, Piedmont, and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta sponsor MFT internships every semester, while hundreds of nonprofit counseling centers dot neighborhoods from Decatur to Douglasville. By choosing a top-ranked, budget-friendly MFT program nearby, you can invest tuition savings in practicum travel, AAMFT conference fees, and the licensure exam—without sacrificing Atlanta's unmatched networking potential.
2025 Best Marriage & Family Therapy (MFT) Programs Near Atlanta
Why Earn an MFT Degree in Atlanta?
- Dense clinical network — Large health systems and faith-based nonprofits routinely seek MFT interns, making it easier to log Georgia's 500 required pre-licensure hours.
- State incentives — Georgia's Behavioral Health Workforce Loan Repayment Program offers up to $30,000 in forgiveness for graduates who practice in-state.
- Cultural diversity — Atlanta's population includes more than 60 spoken languages, preparing therapists to serve interracial couples, multigenerational households, and LGBTQ+ partnerships.
For a national overview of professional benefits, see How to Become a Marriage and Family Therapist.
Curriculum & Program Structure
Most Atlanta-area MFT curricula run 54–60 credits across two years and align with COAMFTE standards:
- Family Systems & Theoretical Foundations
- Couples Assessment and Intervention
- Psychopathology and Diagnostics
- Multicultural Counseling in Urban Atlanta
- Research Methods & Program Evaluation
- Two or more supervised clinical practicums
Learners who need extra flexibility can compare distance options in Best Online Marriage & Family Therapy (MFT) Programs.
Admission Requirements
| University | Minimum GPA | Tests | Key Prerequisites | Unique Atlanta Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercer University (Atlanta & Macon) | 3.0 | GRE optional | Intro Psychology, Statistics | 100 % tuition scholarship for grads who serve rural Georgia |
| Richmont Graduate University (Atlanta) | 2.75 | None | Human Development, Abnormal Psychology | Clinical hours at Richmont's Atlanta Hope Counseling Center |
| University of Georgia (Athens, 70 mi) | 3.2 | GRE optional | Family Science core | Cohort car-pools from Atlanta to Athens four days a week |
| Valdosta State (Hybrid) | 2.8 | None | Counseling Theories | Weekend intensives in Atlanta twice per semester |
Submit applications by January 15 to maximize Georgia loan-repayment eligibility.
Tuition, Funding & Cost-Saving Tips
Atlanta tuition averages $880–$1,100 per credit, but you can shrink your bill by:
- Securing graduate assistantships that waive 25–100 % of tuition
- Applying for Georgia's Service Cancelable Loan (up to $10,000 per year)
- Using hospital employer reimbursement programs that add $5,000+ annually
- Stacking micro-credentials like the Online MFT Certificate to spread coursework over additional semesters
Balancing Work, Life & Study in Metro Atlanta
Evening and hybrid classes let students coach high-school sports, staff crisis lines, or moonlight as behavioral-health technicians. Many rent in Decatur, East Point, or Marietta, where MARTA rail or Xpress buses shorten commutes.
Accreditation Essentials
Choose a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE). Accreditation ensures coursework meets Georgia Composite Board standards and helps you avoid pricey catch-up classes later. A deeper dive appears in Best Marriage and Family Therapy Schools.
Career Paths & Specialized Roles
Graduates often pursue:
- Hospital-based Behavioral Health Therapist
- School Family Liaison Counselor
- Veterans Affairs Marriage Counselor
- Private-practice Couples Therapist
- Faith-Integrated Family Counselor (popular in Atlanta's megachurches)
For doctoral specialization possibilities, explore Online MFT Doctorate Programs.
Salary Expectations for Atlanta MFTs
For a full compensation breakdown, see the Marriage and Family Therapist Salary Guide.
Networking & Professional Growth in Atlanta
- Present research at the Georgia Association for Marriage & Family Therapy (GAMFT) annual conference.
- Attend monthly workshops at Emory University's Family & Child Clinic.
- Volunteer counseling services during the Atlanta Pride Festival to log multicultural hours. The event's volunteer hub is a favorite recruiting ground for clinical supervisors.
Local Employment Outlook & Major Employers
Key hiring organizations include:
- Emory Healthcare — Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
- Piedmont Healthcare — Family Practice Counseling Services
- Children's Healthcare of Atlanta — Strong4Life Behavioral Health
- Atlanta VA Medical Center — Family Therapy Unit
- Thriveworks and Path Mental Health — tele-mental-health networks offering remote MFT roles
Decision Guide: Selecting Your Ideal Atlanta MFT Program
- Map commutes to campus and practicum sites—MARTA access can save $2,000+ per year in parking.
- Audit clinical hour availability to hit Georgia's 500-hour minimum before graduation.
- Confirm COAMFTE accreditation for smoother licensure processing.
- Compare scholarship pipelines like Mercer's full-tuition rural-service award.
- Visit campus on a clinic day to observe supervision quality and digital record systems.
Ready to Start Serving Atlanta Families?
Schedule campus tours, draft your personal statement, and line up practicum interviews today—Atlanta's families are counting on the compassionate, evidence-based care you'll soon provide as a licensed MFT.
Sources
- Georgia General Assembly. FY 2024 Mental-Health Budget Summary.
- U.S. Census Bureau. QuickFacts: Atlanta city, Georgia, 2025 update.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. OEWS Wage Data, May 2023 and May 2022 releases.
- Georgia Board of Health Care Workforce. Behavioral Health Loan Repayment Program Guidelines, 2025.
