Online Marriage and Family Therapy Degrees and Programs

Marriage and family therapists provide talk therapy and mental health assistance with a focus on family and relationship dynamics. They can help families and couples maneuver emotional experiences like divorce in addition to teaching relationship and life skills. A marriage and counseling therapist may work with individual clients, but their perspective remains on family units and marriage partnerships.
You need a master's degree from an accredited educational program to begin a career as a marriage and family therapist. While it's common for therapists to secure a bachelor's and master's degree in psychology, there are some related degree fields that are acceptable for future marriage and family therapists.
You can find many marriage and family therapy degrees available in an online format. To learn more, see the sections below.
Choosing the Right Online Marriage & Family Therapy Degree Program
An online master's in psychology is the most common degree for marriage and family therapists. It's important to select an accredited program to ensure you have the knowledge needed to pass the licensing exam in your state. Many employers also look for therapists with degrees from accredited programs, so you may limit your job opportunities if your program isn't accredited.
Counseling and therapist educational programs are accredited by one of the following organizations:
Let's take a brief look at each degree that you may need to become a marriage and family therapist.
Bachelor's Degree
You can't legally secure a job as a marriage and family therapist with just an online bachelor's degree, but you still need this degree to get to the master's level. Most students complete a bachelor's in psychology program, but you can select virtually any other major and then specialize in the right field when you complete your master's degree. Check with your preferred master's degree program to see what bachelor's degrees are accepted.
Many bachelor’s of psychology degrees include around 120 credit hours and are easily completed within four years. Some schools offer both the Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and the Bachelor of Science in Psychology. The difference is in the type of courses included in the program. Bachelor of Arts programs often allows students to select a variety of elective courses while Bachelor of Science programs include more science and math courses.
Master's Degree
An online master's degree in marriage and family therapy is the most applicable degree for this job, but some students also pursue a master's in psychology with an intention of specializing in marriage and family therapy. This is the degree needed to successfully pass the state licensing examination and start working as a marriage and family therapist.
Most online marriage and family therapy master's programs are easily completed within three years. Some schools may have accelerated programs that are completed within a year or two when you attend full-time.
Doctorate
You don't need a doctorate degree to become a marriage and family therapist. Some students choose to complete a doctorate program in psychology with hopes of elevating their careers to the psychology level.
What Marriage and Family Counseling Degree is Right for Me?
Bachelor’s Degree | Master’s Degree | Graduate Cert | Ph.D. or PsyD | |
I am interested in gaining entry-level experience in marriage and family counseling | x | |||
I want to get started in my marriage and family counseling career before I pursue more education | x | |||
I want to become a licensed professional counselor | x | |||
I want to pursue or switch to a niche counseling specialty | x | x | ||
I already have a counseling degree and want to gain specialized knowledge | x | x | ||
I want to work in academia, administration, or clinical practice | x |
Marriage & Family Therapy Degree Program Curriculum
An online marriage and family therapy curriculum covers a variety of therapy-related coursework, including theories, laws, ethics, research methods, and psychopathology. Topics like couples therapy, human sexuality, and group therapy are common as well. The goal is to produce therapists prepared to serve a diverse population with a variety of family and relationship dilemmas.
The number of credit hours required to complete a program in this field varies by school, but the following averages will give you some idea of what is required:
Bachelor's Degree: 120-126 credit hours
Master's Degree: 45-60 credit hours
Marriage & Family Therapy Degree Program Clinical Requirements
Most states require new marriage and family therapists to complete clinical and/or supervised work hours in order to gain hands-on experience. For instance, North Carolina requires therapists to complete 1,500 hours of clinical experience. Students can complete up to 500 of those hours as graduate students. The rest is completed after graduation.
Each school has its own process for placing students, and that's something students should consider when selecting online marriage and family therapy degree programs. Because you will not be on campus, your program will likely work with you to find clinical opportunities in your own community.
List of Marriage and Family Therapy Degree Programs
Looking for an online or campus-based marriage and family therapy degree program near you? Browse our state-by-state school listings below.
Jump to Your State Listings
Alabama
Amridge University
Montgomery, AL 36117-3553
(334) 387-3877 x7550
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, AL 35294-0110
(205) 934-4011
California
Alliant International University-San Diego
San Diego, CA 92131
(858) 635-4000
California State University-Chico
Chico, CA 95929-0150
(530) 898-6116
California State University-Fresno
Fresno, CA 93740
(559) 278-4240
California State University-Northridge
Northridge, CA 91330
(818) 677-1200
California State University-Sacramento
Sacramento, CA 95819-2694
(916) 278-6011
California State University-Stanislaus
Turlock, CA 95382-0299
(209) 667-3122
Chapman University
Orange, CA 92866
(714) 997-6815
Dominican University of California
San Rafael, CA 94901-2298
(415) 457-4440
Fuller Theological Seminary
Pasadena, CA 91182
(626) 584-5200
Loma Linda University
Loma Linda, CA 92350
(909) 558-1000
Southern California Seminary
El Cajon, CA 92019-1108
(619) 201-8999
Colorado
University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus
Denver, CO 80217-3364
(303) 556-5600
University of Northern Colorado
Greeley, CO 80639
(970) 351-1890
Connecticut
Central Connecticut State University
New Britain, CT 06050
(860) 832-2278
Southern Connecticut State University
- Master's of Family Therapy Campus
New Haven, CT 06515-1355
(203) 392-5200
Florida
Florida Gulf Coast University
Fort Myers, FL 33965-6565
(239) 590-1000
Nova Southeastern University
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33314-7796
(954) 262-7300
Stetson University
DeLand, FL 32723
(386) 822-7000
University of Central Florida
Orlando, FL 32816
(407) 823-2000
University of South Florida
Tampa, FL 33620-9951
(813) 974-2011
Georgia
University of Georgia
- Marriage & Family Therapy Campus
Athens, GA 30602
(706) 542-3000
Valdosta State University
Valdosta, GA 31698
(229) 333-5800
Hawaii
Chaminade University of Honolulu
Honolulu, HI 96816-1578
(808) 735-4711
Illinois
Governors State University
University Park, IL 60484
(708) 534-5000
Northeastern Illinois University
Chicago, IL 60625-4699
(773) 583-4050
Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL 60115-2828
(800) 892-3050
Northwestern University
Evanston, IL 60208
(847) 491-3741
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology at Chicago
Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 329-6600
Indiana
Purdue University Northwest
Hammond, IN 46323
(219) 989-2400
Iowa
University of Iowa
- Couple and Family Therapy Campus
Iowa City, IA 52242-1316
(319) 335-3500
Kansas
MidAmerica Nazarene University
Olathe, KS 66062-1899
(913) 782-3750
Kentucky
Asbury Theological Seminary
Wilmore, KY 40390-1199
(859) 858-3581
Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY 42101-1000
(270) 745-0111
Louisiana
University of Louisiana at Monroe
Monroe, LA 71209-0000
(318) 342-1000
Maryland
Frostburg State University
Frostburg, MD 21532-1099
(301) 687-4000
Minnesota
Adler Graduate School
Minnetonka, MN 55343
(612) 861-7554
Capella University
Minneapolis, MN 55402-3389
(866) 808-4080
Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, MN 56301-4498
(320) 308-0121
Mississippi
Mississippi College
Clinton, MS 39058
(601) 925-3000
Missouri
Saint Louis University
- Family Therapy, M.A. Campus
Saint Louis, MO 63103-2097
(314) 977-2222
University of Central Missouri
Warrensburg, MO 64093
(660) 543-4111
University of Missouri-St Louis
Saint Louis, MO 63121-4400
(314) 516-5000
Montana
Montana State University
Bozeman, MT 59717
(406) 994-0211
Nevada
University of Nevada-Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV 89154
(702) 895-3011
New Hampshire
Granite State College
Concord, NH 03301-3471
(603) 228-3000
Plymouth State University
Plymouth, NH 03264-1595
(603) 535-5000
New Jersey
Kean University
Union, NJ 07083
(908) 737-5326
New York
Adelphi University
- Couples Therapy Online
Garden City, NY 11530-0701
(516) 877-3000
Hofstra University
- Marriage and Family Therapy Campus
Hempstead, NY 11549
(516) 463-6600
Mercy College
- Marriage and Family Therapy Campus
Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522
(800) 637-2969
Yeshiva University
New York, NY 10033-3299
(212) 960-5400
North Carolina
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Greensboro, NC 27402-6170
(336) 334-5000
Oklahoma
Mid-America Christian University
Oklahoma City, OK 73170-9797
(405) 691-3800
Oklahoma State University-Main Campus
- Marriage and Family Therapy Campus
Stillwater, OK 74078-1015
(405) 744-5000
Oregon
Lewis & Clark College
Portland, OR 97219-7899
(503) 768-7000
Portland State University
Portland, OR 97201
(503) 725-3000
University of Oregon
- Couples and Family Therapy Campus
Eugene, OR 97403
(541) 346-1000
Pennsylvania
Arcadia University
Glenside, PA 19038-3295
(215) 572-2900
Duquesne University
Pittsburgh, PA 15282
(412) 396-6000
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
Kutztown, PA 19530-0730
(610) 683-4000
La Salle University
Philadelphia, PA 19141-1199
(215) 951-1000
Rhode Island
University of Rhode Island
Kingston, RI 02881
(401) 874-1000
South Carolina
University of South Carolina-Columbia
Columbia, SC 29208
(803) 777-7000
Tennessee
Lee University
Cleveland, TN 37311
(423) 614-8000
Lipscomb University
Nashville, TN 37204-3951
(615) 966-1000
Richmont Graduate University
Chattanooga, TN 37404
(423) 226-4574
Trevecca Nazarene University
Nashville, TN 37210
(615) 248-1200
University of Memphis
Memphis, TN 38152
(901) 678-2000
Texas
Southern Methodist University
- Marriage, Couple, and Family Campus
Dallas, TX 75275-0221
(214) 768-2000
Texas Woman's University
Denton, TX 76204
(940) 898-2000
University of Houston-Clear Lake
- Family Therapy M.A. Campus
Houston, TX 77058-1002
(281) 283-7600
Utah
Brigham Young University
Provo, UT 84602
(801) 422-4636
Virginia
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA 24515
(434) 582-2000
Regent University
Virginia Beach, VA 23464
(757) 352-4127
William & Mary
Williamsburg, VA 23187-8795
(757) 221-4000
Washington
Antioch University-Seattle
Seattle, WA 98121-1814
(206) 441-5352
Gonzaga University
Spokane, WA 99258-0001
(800) 986-9585
Seattle Pacific University
Seattle, WA 98119-1997
(206) 281-2000
Whitworth University
Spokane, WA 99251
(509) 777-1000
West Virginia
West Virginia University
Morgantown, WV 26506
(304) 293-0111
Wisconsin
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
Stevens Point, WI 54481-3897
(715) 346-0123
University of Wisconsin-Stout
Menomonie, WI 54751
(715) 232-1122
Are we missing your school's program or need to update information listed? Please contact us so we can make the necessary changes.