Best MFT Programs in Connecticut

Marriage and family therapy degree programs are becoming increasingly popular as the demand for mental health professionals nationwide grows. Connecticut, among many other states, has observed an increase in the need for licensed marriage and family therapists, and as a result, you can find many reputable degree programs in the state and in nearby regions. To learn more about how you can access these programs and become a licensed marriage and family therapist, check out the resources below.

2026 Best MFT Programs in Connecticut

At Counseling Psychology, we've carefully evaluated and ranked the best Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) programs across Connecticut. Our comprehensive analysis considers factors like academic reputation, faculty expertise, clinical training opportunities, and student outcomes. Connecticut offers several outstanding programs that prepare future therapists to make meaningful differences in family and relationship dynamics. From Yale University's renowned counseling department to the innovative approaches at the University of Connecticut, these programs provide exceptional educational experiences for aspiring marriage and family therapists. Students can expect rigorous coursework, hands-on clinical experiences, and strong preparation for professional licensure. Our detailed methodology ensures transparent and objective program rankings.

#1

Fairfield University

Fairfield, CT - Private 4-year - fairfield.edu

Master's - Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy

Campus Based - Visit Website

Fairfield University's Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy provides an intensive 60-credit graduate program that transforms aspiring therapists through comprehensive clinical training. Students engage in a rigorous curriculum demanding 500 direct clinical contact hours and 100 professional supervision hours. The program's flexible structure allows completion within 3-6 years, accommodating diverse student schedules. With a minimum 3.0 GPA requirement, students develop advanced therapeutic skills through personalized learning paths, emphasizing professional identity development and diverse intervention techniques.

• 60-credit comprehensive MFT program
• 500 clinical contact hours required
• 3-6 year completion timeframe
• Personalized study progression
• 100 hours professional supervision
• Minimum 3.0 GPA requirement
• Queer and Trans Mental Health concentration
• Professional identity focus
• Diverse therapeutic intervention training
• $215 one-time TEVERA fee

Master's - Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy

Concentration: School-Based Marriage and Family Therapy - Campus Based - Visit Website

Fairfield University's School-Based Marriage and Family Therapy concentration offers specialized training for professionals seeking Connecticut State Board of Education certification. This targeted program equips students with advanced skills in child and adolescent development, educational intervention strategies, and school system dynamics. Requiring 300 school-based practicum hours, the program prepares graduates to work directly in public educational environments. Students engage in comprehensive coursework covering educational law, interpersonal skills assessment, and bilingual education options, with Praxis Core exam and background check requirements.

• COAMFTE-accredited MFT program
• First state school MFT certification
• 21 total credit hours
• 300 school-based practicum hours
• Multiple certification pathways
• Specialized education law training
• Bilingual education options
• Interpersonal skills assessment
• Praxis Core exam requirement
• Fingerprinting background check

Master's - Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy

Concentration: Queer and Trans Mental Health - Campus Based - Visit Website

Fairfield University's Queer and Trans Mental Health concentration within the Marriage and Family Therapy program provides innovative therapeutic training focused on social justice and diversity. This 60-credit graduate program emphasizes systemic approaches and clinical competence in treating diverse populations. Students develop expertise in interventions for individuals, couples, and families, completing a minimum of 500 clinical hours with 100 hours of supervision. The program offers full-time and part-time options, ensuring comprehensive professional development with a strong commitment to inclusive, compassionate mental health practice.

• 60-credit comprehensive MFT program
• 3-6 year completion timeline
• Minimum 500 clinical hours required
• 100 hours of clinical supervision
• Personalized study program
• Multiple therapy intervention techniques
• Social justice and diversity focus
• Queer and Trans Mental Health concentration
• $215 TEVERA placement fee
• Minimum 3.0 GPA requirement

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#2

Central Connecticut State University

New Britain, CT - Public 4-Year - ccsu.edu

Master's - Marriage & Family Therapy, MS

Online & Campus Based - Visit Website

Central Connecticut State University's Marriage & Family Therapy Master's program provides a comprehensive, career-advancing educational pathway for aspiring therapists. The 63-credit hybrid program emphasizes systemic clinical training, offering flexible evening classes designed for working professionals. Students benefit from extensive hands-on clinical experiences, including 400 hours of supervised training that meets Connecticut licensure requirements. COAMFTE-accredited and featuring no GMAT/GRE entrance exam barrier, the program prepares graduates to effectively work with individuals, couples, and families through advanced therapeutic approaches. The curriculum balances academic rigor with practical skill development in a supportive, diverse learning environment.

• 63-credit MS program
• Flexible evening track
• No GMAT/GRE required
• COAMFTE accredited
• Two-year supervised training
• Starts every August
• Full-time study option
• Clinical counseling lab
• Financial aid available
• 400 clinical training hours

#3

Southern Connecticut State University

New Haven, CT - Public 4-Year - southernct.edu

Master's - Marriage and Family Therapy

Campus Based - Visit Website

Southern Connecticut State University's Marriage and Family Therapy Master's program stands out as a transformative clinical training experience. Meticulously designed for emerging mental health professionals, the COAMFTE-accredited curriculum emphasizes systems theory and cultural competency. Students engage in comprehensive learning through personalized clinical supervision, on-site clinic experiences, and an intensive year-long internship. The two to three-year program prepares graduates for diverse mental health career paths and Connecticut licensure, with a strong emphasis on developing advanced therapeutic skills and systemic understanding of family dynamics and interpersonal relationships.

• Two to three year program
• COAMFTE accredited program
• On-site clinical supervision
• Yearlong off-campus internship
• Diverse career placement options
• Focus on cultural competency
• Systems theory training
• Personalized learning approach

#4

University of Saint Joseph

West Hartford, CT - Private 4-year - usj.edu

Master's - Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy

Campus Based - Visit Website

The University of Saint Joseph's Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy provides a robust 60-credit program designed to cultivate advanced clinical competencies. Rooted in comprehensive therapeutic training, students explore diverse intervention models and family systems paradigms while gaining substantial practical experience. The program emphasizes evidence-based practices and professional development, preparing graduates for complex mental health environments. With full-time and part-time options, students benefit from extensive practicum opportunities and a curriculum that integrates theoretical knowledge with hands-on clinical skills. The program maintains national accreditation and requires a minimum 2.7 GPA, ensuring high academic and professional standards for aspiring marriage and family therapists.

• Nationally accredited program
• 60-credit comprehensive curriculum
• Multiple practicum opportunities
• Full-time and part-time options
• Diverse therapeutic approach training
• GPA requirement 2.7+
• Professional clinical presentation exam
• Family systems paradigm focus
• Evidence-based practice emphasis

*National Center for Education Statistics. (2023). IPEDS data system. Retrieved from https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/

What is an MFT Degree?

A marriage and family therapy (MFT) degree is exactly what it sounds like—a degree program that teaches methods and theory for identifying and treating common challenges that families and couples face. These challenges could range from parenting tips to grieving the loss of a family member. Marriage and family therapy degrees give context to students who want to become counselors, psychologists, and therapists who want to specialize in this popular and exciting field.

Why is COAMFTE MFT Accreditation Important?

Arguably the most important consideration when it comes to MFT for licensure is accreditation. As you’re looking at the programs in the sections below, make sure that any programs you apply for are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE). This ensures that the program meets the minimum requirements for licensure set forth by the state board. If your program is provided by your school’s counseling education department, it may also be accredited by CACREP.

Can I Get an MFT Degree Online in Connecticut?

There are many options for Nutmeggers who would like to become marriage and family therapists through an online degree program, though none of these degree options are currently available in the State of Connecticut. Students who are willing to relocate to nearby states where online MFT degree programs are more abundant may be able to transfer their licensure to Connecticut once they graduate. Many options (such as the one listed below) can be completed 90% online but will require some traveling to complete in-person residency obligations.

Antioch University: Antioch University, which has multiple campuses across the country, offers a PhD in Couples and Family Therapy at their Keane, NH location. While residency is an important part of an MFT doctoral program, students who want to get their doctorate degree faster may be attracted to Antioch University’s low-residency program which only requires 15 days of in-person residency for the entire program, which can be completed on campus. The remainder of the curriculum can be completed online.

Short Length MFT Programs in Connecticut

Students in Connecticut looking to get their degree as fast as possible may be challenged to do so in Connecticut. The least amount of education required to become a marriage and family therapist is a master’s degree. These programs typically take between two and three years. In Connecticut, all four MFT master’s degree programs offered in the state require at least three years to complete.

While this likely means that you won’t be starting your new career for several years, it does mean that you will be gaining valuable experience through lengthy clinicals. The longer timelines of Connecticut’s MFT master’s degree programs also mean that it’s a great state for students who only want to commit to their education part-time. Here are a few examples of MFT master’s degrees in Connecticut and how long you can expect to complete them.

Affordable MFT Programs in Connecticut

As a resident of Connecticut, you may have guessed that getting your graduate degree in the state is not going to be cheap. However, if you’re hoping to save a little money on tuition and you still want to stay in-state, some options are cheaper than others. MFT master’s degree programs offered in Connecticut typically cost an average of $30,000 – $40,000 for the entire tuition, but there are a few options that offer slightly lower tuition costs, especially to students who reside in the state. State schools, such as Central Connecticut State University, often offer their tuition at half price. Central Connecticut State University offers its tuition at $42,438 for out-of-state students but Connecticut residents will pay around $21,843.

MFT Degree Levels

There are many different degree levels associated with marriage and family therapy—associate degrees, bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, and doctoral degrees. However, unless licensure is not a priority, students will need to graduate from an MFT graduate degree program, such as a master’s or doctoral degree program.

Do I Need a GRE for an MFT Program?

It depends largely on the program. Some schools prefer to have their applicants take a GRE, an exam measuring their pre-graduate academic levels, to make sure they will have a smooth transition into their program if accepted. However, this requirement isn’t always mandatory. Southern Connecticut University is just one example of institutions that do not hold this requirement. Check your program’s specific admission requirements to make sure.

Master's Degree in MFT

Master’s degree programs take about two years to complete and are the minimum level of degree that students need to obtain to become licensed. Students are introduced to expanded coursework on substance abuse, family dynamics, and other important MFT topics they’ll need to be familiar with to work as an MFT therapist.

MFT master’s degrees require around 30 credits to complete and run about $19,429 for the complete tuition. They’ll also require several clinical hours (usually around 1,000) to be completed over the course of their 2-year degree program. Here are a few MFT Master’s Degree programs available to students based in Connecticut:

Central Connecticut State University: This program located in New Britain, CT focuses on multi-cultural and gender-affirming coursework that prepares students for a wide range of important conversations that may come up as a marriage and family therapist. Central Connecticut State University’s program requires 63 credits to complete in addition to a minimum 400-hour internship completed in the second year of study.

Southern Connecticut State University: Students looking for in-depth hands-on experience will be interested in Southern Connecticut State University’s Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy degree program based in New Haven. Students enrolled in this program can take advantage of the on-site training at the university’s Family Clinic for hands-on and immersive experience before entering into a professional therapeutic role.

Graduate Certificate in MFT

While MFT graduate certificates are not technically degrees, they do provide a unique opportunity for graduates who have already achieved their master’s degree in psychology or related areas. A marriage and family therapy graduate certificate builds on their psychological background and allows them to specialize in topics relating to couples and families.

MFT graduate certificates are a particularly great option for students who want to specialize quickly, as they usually only require a year or less of study and 15-30 credits. Because of this, they’re also very affordable, with some programs costing as little as $1,000 for the entire tuition. There is currently one MFT graduate certificate available to students in Connecticut:

Fairfield University: Students who have a master’s degree or higher from a COAMFTE-accredited program and have their license to practice marriage and family therapy in a state have a unique opportunity to become licensed in Connecticut by simply completing Fairfield University’s 21-credit graduate certificate. Psychology graduate students who want to specialize as an MFT can also do so.

MFT Doctorate Degrees (Ph.D. or PsyD)

Once you’ve completed your MFT master’s degree, there are opportunities to further expand your education through MFT doctorate degree programs. These programs typically take 4-8 years and require intense hands-on training. As these are the highest level degrees an MFT can obtain, they can also be quite costly, often running anywhere from $35,000 to $300,000 for tuition.

Doctorate degrees in marriage and family therapy come in two varieties: Ph.D. and PsyD. Ph.D. programs are more commonly focused on research and education, while PsyDs usually concentrate on clinical practice. Students with either often transition into high-paying and rewarding careers that require a great deal of skill and expertise.

Currently, there are no MFT doctorate degree programs based in Connecticut; however, you can find many available just over the border in New York or other nearby states. You can also find many MFT doctorate degrees online, though you will want to double-check to ensure your licensure is transferable to the state where the program is based. Here is one great option for MFT doctorate degree programs near Connecticut:

Syracuse University: This 72-credit Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy is perfect for Nutmeggers who are looking to specialize in MFT research and theory. Syracuse University offers one of the longest-standing MFT departments in the country and pledges a special commitment to incorporating LGBTQ, racial diversity, and cultural context into its Ph.D. program. If you have already obtained your MFT master’s degree, Syracuse University allows you to transfer up to 33 credits to their Ph.D. program.

Becoming an LMFT in Connecticut

Once you’ve completed your MFT graduate degree, the process for MFT licensure begins! Here are the steps students will generally need to follow to be able to work as licensed marriage and family therapists in Connecticut:

• Supervised Experience: Complete a certain number of supervised clinical hours. In Connecticut, this typically involves completing at least 1,000 hours of supervised clinical work, with at least 100 hours of direct client contact.
• Examination: Pass the national licensure examination administered by the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB). This exam is commonly known as the MFT National Examination.
• Application: Submit an application for licensure to the Connecticut Department of Public Health. This application will include documentation of your education, supervised experience, examination scores, and any other required materials.
• Background Check: Undergo a criminal background check.
• Supervision Requirements: Ensure that all supervised experience hours are completed under the supervision of a licensed LMFT or another qualified mental health professional as per Connecticut’s regulations.
• Continuing Education: After becoming licensed, you’ll need to fulfill 15 continuing education hours every year to maintain your license.

List of MFT Degree Programs in Connecticut