Best Ph.D. and PsyD in Marriage and Family Therapy (DMFT) Degree Programs
Marriage and family therapy (MFT), as the name implies, involves helping people with troubled marital and family relationships. Often, counseling sessions involve at least two people, and the entire family may participate at some point. This makes the dynamic between the patient(s) and the therapist much different from standard psychological counseling, typically done on a one-to-one basis.
An online doctorate in MFT, in the form of a Ph.D. or PsyD, is an extension of the master’s and provides more in-depth knowledge. At the master’s and doctorate level, licensure is possible. A Ph.D. or PsyD in marriage and family therapy is ideal for those wishing to pursue academic or research careers.
It is important to check the accreditation of the programs you’re interested in. Online Ph.D. and PsyD degrees in MFT are typically nationally accredited, but some programs only have regional accreditation. These regionally-accredited programs may only qualify you for licensing in the state the school is in, and in some cases, they may leave you ineligible for licensure. With some regionally-accredited programs, you may also have difficulty transferring credits from one program to another if you decide to change schools. Learn more about all of these important steps to becoming an MFT below.
2026 Best Online Doctorate in Marriage and Family Therapy Programs
Northwestern University
Evanston, IL - Private 4-year - northwestern.edu
Doctorate - Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy
Online Learning - Visit Website
Northwestern University's fully online Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy provides a cutting-edge, research-driven educational pathway for aspiring therapists. The program distinguishes itself through its COAMFTE accreditation, no GRE requirement, and comprehensive clinical training model. Students can complete the degree in as few as 21 months, gaining 400 hours of clinical fieldwork and 125 relational clinical hours. With an integrative systemic therapeutic approach and small class sizes of 15 students, the curriculum emphasizes multicultural competence and advanced therapeutic skills. Military-friendly and designed for working professionals, the program offers flexible online learning and placement specialist support to help students successfully launch their therapy careers.
- Online MFT Master's degree
- 24 months full-time completion
- COAMFTE accredited program
- No GRE required
- 400 hours clinical fieldwork
- 125 relational clinical hours
- 15 students per classroom
- Placement specialists assist
- Integrative systemic therapeutic model
- Immersive experience included
University of Holy Cross
New Orleans, LA - Private 4-year - uhcno.edu
Doctorate - PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision
Concentration: Clinical Mental Health Counseling - Online Learning - Visit Website
The University of Holy Cross's online PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision with a Clinical Mental Health Counseling concentration is a comprehensive doctoral program targeting professionals seeking advanced leadership training. Fully CACREP-accredited, the program requires 117 semester credits and prepares students for roles as counselor educators, researchers, and clinical practitioners. Students engage in extensive clinical practicum and internship experiences, developing advanced skills in counseling theory, multicultural perspectives, and ethical practice. The program offers unique opportunities for international study and professional association memberships, with a robust dissertation research component. Graduates are equipped to pursue university teaching positions, advanced clinical leadership roles, and specialized counseling practice.
- 117 semester credits required
- CACREP-accredited program
- Online and traditional options
- Doctoral practicum and internship
- Prepares counselor educators and leaders
- Multiple specialization options
- International study opportunities
- Minimum 600 internship hours
- Dissertation research component
- Professional association memberships required
Doctorate - PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision
Concentration: School Counseling - Online Learning - Visit Website
The University of Holy Cross offers an online PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision specializing in School Counseling, designed for professionals seeking transformative leadership development. This CACREP-accredited program provides comprehensive training in advanced counseling theories, research methodologies, and specialized clinical techniques. Spanning 117 semester credits, the curriculum includes extensive practicum and internship experiences with a mandatory dissertation component. Students benefit from faculty mentorship, international study opportunities, and a structured pathway to academic and clinical leadership roles. The program accommodates diverse career goals, preparing graduates for university faculty positions, advanced school counseling leadership, and specialized educational counseling practice.
- CACREP Accredited Program
- 117 semester credits required
- Online and traditional options
- Clinical practicum and internship
- Dissertation required
- Leadership in counseling focus
- Faculty mentorship opportunities
- International study institutes available
- 10-year maximum program completion
California Lutheran University
Thousand Oaks, CA - Private 4-year - callutheran.edu
Doctorate - Marital and Family Therapy
Concentration: Family Court Mediation - Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
California Lutheran University offers a dynamic hybrid Marriage and Family Therapy doctoral program with a specialized Family Court Mediation concentration. The program distinguishes itself through a comprehensive training approach emphasizing systemic understanding, cultural competence, and professional ethics. Students benefit from extensive clinical training across two community counseling centers, gaining 750 clinical training hours and exposure to diverse theoretical frameworks. The cohort-based learning model ensures personalized professional development, with students consistently demonstrating exceptional performance on state licensing examinations. As a military-friendly institution with an Evangelical Lutheran Church affiliation, the program provides multiple location options and advanced trauma specialization opportunities for aspiring mental health professionals.
- Systemic understanding approach
- 12-month practicum placement
- Two community counseling centers
- Clinical specialization options
- High licensing exam pass rates
- Cohort-based learning model
- Multiple location options
- Diverse theoretical training
- 750 clinical training hours
- Trauma specialization available
What Will I Learn in an Online MFT Doctorate Program?
The number of credit hours required for online Ph.D. and PsyD degrees in MFT is higher than other psychology-focused doctorates. Depending on your prior studies, you may need between 75 and 108 credit hours of coursework. Some schools also have limits on how long you can take to finish the degree. At the usual speed of taking and passing courses, most students can expect to have their doctorates within two to three years, assuming you’re starting with a master’s degree.
Subjects taught include a variety of courses on the theory and practice of marriage and family therapy. You’ll also learn how to do quantitative analysis and other practices involved in research projects. Finally, you can expect to create a thesis, defend a dissertation, or do a similar capstone project before graduation. Depending on the school, you may also have to get a certain number of practicum hours.
Some of the courses you may encounter in an MFT Ph.D. or PsyD program may include:
- Introduction to Systems Theory
- Systemic Family Therapy
- Crisis Management
- Grant Writing and Funding Opportunities
- Qualitative Action Research
- Practicum Hours
- Suicide Prevention and Crisis Intervention
Admissions Requirements for a Doctorate in MFT
Every school has somewhat different admission requirements. These vary depending on the state, the competitiveness of the program, and whether or not the program is meant to follow a master’s program at the same university. Some things, however, are much the same between institutions. This allows you to be ready to submit certain documents well in advance of the semester’s cutoff date. Typical MFT doctorate requirements include:
- Application
- Fee (if applicable)
- Official transcripts
- Master’s degree in a relevant subject
- Minimum GPA
- Letter(s) of recommendation
- Statement of purpose
Some programs may also require GRE scores. As always, you should check with your prospective college about any specifics. This will ensure you are as prepared as possible before enrolling.
2026 Affordable Doctorate in MFT Program Options
| School Name | Highlights | Annual Estimated Tuition & Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Florida State University |
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| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University |
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| Texas Tech University |
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2026 Shortest MFT Doctorate Program Options
| School Name | Highlights | Retention & Grad Rates |
|---|---|---|
| Northwestern University |
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| Touro University Worldwide |
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| Eastern University |
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List of MFT Doctorate Degree Programs
Find an online or campus-based doctorate program in MFT today – our state-by-state listings make it easy to find a great program near you.
Arizona
Prescott, AZ
Prescott College
- Doctorate - Master of Science in Counseling
Concentration: Human Sexuality Counseling - Online Learning - Website
- CACREP-accredited counseling program
- Online with 3-day campus residency
- 60 total credit hours
- $830 per credit
- Marriage, Couple, Family Counseling emphasis
- Spring 2025 Priority Deadline: Oct 1, 2024
- Additional concentration options available
- Social justice learning approach
California
Los Alamitos, CA
Touro University Worldwide
- Doctorate - Doctor of Marriage and Family Therapy (DMFT)
Concentration: Organizational Systems in MFT - Online Learning - Website
- 100% online doctoral program
- $700 per semester credit
- 60 total credit hours
- No GMAT/GRE required
- 3-year typical completion time
- Transfer up to 6 credits
- 6 program starts annually
- 8-week course sessions
Thousand Oaks, CA
California Lutheran University
- Doctorate - Marital and Family Therapy
Concentration: Family Court Mediation - Online & Campus Based - Website
- Systemic understanding approach
- 12-month practicum placement
- Two community counseling centers
- Clinical specialization options
- High licensing exam pass rates
- Cohort-based learning model
- Multiple location options
- Diverse theoretical training
Illinois
Evanston, IL
Northwestern University
- Doctorate - Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy
Online Learning - Website
- Online MFT Master's degree
- 24 months full-time completion
- COAMFTE accredited program
- No GRE required
- 400 hours clinical fieldwork
- 125 relational clinical hours
- 15 students per classroom
- Placement specialists assist
Louisiana
New Orleans, LA
University of Holy Cross
- Doctorate - PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision
Concentration: Clinical Mental Health Counseling - Online Learning - Website
- 117 semester credits required
- CACREP-accredited program
- Online and traditional options
- Doctoral practicum and internship
- Prepares counselor educators and leaders
- Multiple specialization options
- International study opportunities
- Minimum 600 internship hours
- Doctorate - PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision
Concentration: School Counseling - Online Learning - Website
- CACREP Accredited Program
- 117 semester credits required
- Online and traditional options
- Clinical practicum and internship
- Dissertation required
- Leadership in counseling focus
- Faculty mentorship opportunities
- International study institutes available
Pennsylvania
Saint Davids, PA
Eastern University
- Doctorate - Doctor of Marriage and Family Therapy
Online Learning - Website
- 60-credit doctoral program
- Integrates theology and clinical practice
- Advances leadership and therapy skills
- Focuses on family systems theory
- Practicum and doctoral project included
- Courses explore diverse therapy topics
- Prepares for professional licensure
- Doctorate - PhD in Marriage and Family Therapy
Online Learning - Website
- 100% Online Program
- 60 Credit Doctoral Degree
- 4-6 Years Completion Time
- $450 per Credit Tuition
- Christian Psychology Integration
- Research-Focused Dissertation
- Leadership Career Preparation
- Starts in August Annually
