Best MFT Programs in Florida

Marriage and family therapists are an incredibly in-demand profession, but especially so in Florida. As a marriage and family therapist in this state, you will serve a diverse array of demographics with plenty of room for upward mobility with an abundance of job security. To learn how you can start this rewarding and exciting career, take a look at the sections below.

2026 Best MFT Programs in Florida

Counseling Psychology.org presents its comprehensive guide to the Best MFT (Marriage and Family Therapy) Programs in Florida. Our expert team has carefully evaluated graduate programs across the state, considering factors like academic rigor, clinical training opportunities, faculty expertise, and student outcomes. Florida offers some outstanding educational pathways for aspiring marriage and family therapists, with programs that prepare students for successful careers in mental health counseling. Whether you're looking to study in Miami, Orlando, Tampa, or other key locations, our rankings provide an essential resource for understanding the top MFT programs in the Sunshine State. These programs not only meet high academic standards but also provide innovative approaches to therapeutic practice. Learn more about our ranking methodology.

#1

Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL - Public 4-Year - fsu.edu

Doctorate - Marriage and Family Therapy (Ph.D.)

Campus Based - Visit Website

Florida State University's Marriage and Family Therapy Ph.D. program stands out as a premier training ground for future scholarly leaders in clinical psychology. The comprehensive doctoral program emphasizes advanced clinical preparation and rigorous research methodology, equipping students with sophisticated skills in understanding complex family dynamics. Accredited by COAMFTE, the program offers an intensive four-year curriculum requiring 83 credit hours, including 21 clinical supervision credits and 24 dissertation credits. Students benefit from hands-on experience at the Center for Couple and Family Therapy, developing evidence-based intervention strategies. With a competitive admissions process requiring a 3.0 undergraduate GPA and recommended GRE scores, the program prepares graduates for influential academic and clinical leadership roles nationwide.

• COAMFTE Accredited Program
• 4-year program length
• Minimum 83 credit hours
• Clinical Master's prerequisite
• 21 clinical supervision credits
• 24 dissertation credits
• December 1 application deadline
• 3.0 undergraduate GPA required
• GRE score recommended
• Competitive doctoral program

#2

University of Central Florida

Orlando, FL - Public 4-Year - ucf.edu

Master's - Marriage, Couple, and Family Therapy (MA)

Campus Based - Visit Website

The University of Central Florida's Marriage, Couple, and Family Therapy Master's program offers a robust, CACREP-accredited curriculum that transforms aspiring therapists into skilled professionals. Students engage in comprehensive training through 63 credit hours, combining rigorous academic coursework with extensive clinical experiences. The program strategically prepares graduates for MFT licensure by providing hands-on training at the UCF Community Counseling and Research Center. With a multicultural counseling focus, students develop advanced therapeutic skills serving diverse populations. The program's competitive in-state tuition of $369 per credit hour, combined with practical training opportunities, positions graduates for successful careers in family and relationship counseling.

• CACREP accredited program
• 63 credit hours minimum
• In-state tuition $369/credit
• Fall application deadline: Feb 1
• 800 total clinical hours
• On-campus and field experiences
• Prepare for MFT licensure
• Serve 1400+ community clients
• Maximum 3 courses/semester
• 3.0 GPA requirement

#3

Jacksonville University

Jacksonville, FL - Private 4-year - ju.edu

Master's - Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Concentration: Couples, Marriage, and Family Counseling - Online & Campus Based - Visit Website

Jacksonville University's Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling specializes in Couples, Marriage, and Family Counseling through an innovative hybrid program. Students engage in a comprehensive two-year curriculum that meets CACREP accreditation standards, preparing professionals for Florida mental health licensure. The program's distinctive 60-credit structure includes an extensive 800-hour clinical field experience, designed to provide practical skills in marriage and family therapy. Tailored for working professionals, the cohort-based model offers personalized learning with flexible scheduling, ensuring students develop advanced therapeutic techniques and professional competencies in relationship and family counseling.

• CACREP accredited program
• Full-time, 2-year 60-credit program
• Hybrid learning format
• Florida licensure preparation
• Marriage and Family Counseling emphasis
• 800-hour clinical experience
• Application deadline: February 15, 2025
• Requires 3 recommendation letters
• Weekly class attendance
• Non-degree course options available

Master's - Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Online & Campus Based - Visit Website

Jacksonville University's Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling delivers a robust hybrid educational pathway for aspiring mental health professionals. This two-year, 60-credit program is meticulously designed to meet Florida licensure requirements and CACREP accreditation standards. Students benefit from a comprehensive curriculum that combines theoretical knowledge with practical training, featuring an immersive 800-hour clinical field experience. The program's flexible learning format accommodates working professionals, offering optional GRE/GMAT submission for those with lower GPAs. With weekly in-person sessions and personalized faculty mentorship, graduates are thoroughly prepared for diverse counseling careers and professional development opportunities.

• CACREP accredited program
• Two-year, 60-credit program
• Hybrid learning format
• Marriage and Family Counseling emphasis
• Meets Florida LMHC/LMFT licensure requirements
• 800-hour clinical field experience
• Final application deadline: February 15, 2025
• Applicants need transcripts, recommendations
• Optional GRE/GMAT for low GPA
• Weekly in-person class sessions

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#4

Stetson University

DeLand, FL - Private 4-year - stetson.edu

Master's - Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling

Campus Based - Visit Website

Stetson University's Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling Master's program stands out as a transformative educational journey for aspiring therapists. Through CACREP accreditation, students receive comprehensive training integrating individual psychotherapy with systemic interventions. The curriculum meticulously prepares graduates to address complex mental health challenges across diverse populations, emphasizing relationship-centered healing approaches. Students develop advanced clinical skills targeting issues like depression, anxiety, and trauma, positioning them for successful careers in community agencies, private practices, and healthcare systems. With an active practitioner faculty and holistic relational methodology, the program ensures graduates are well-equipped to become licensed marriage and family therapists capable of delivering nuanced, compassionate therapeutic services.

• Master of Science degree
• CACREP accredited program
• State licensure preparation
• Holistic relational approach
• Diverse career opportunities
• Active practitioner faculty
• Individual and systemic training
• Multiple employment settings
• Professional therapy certification

*IPEDS 2023 survey data, provided by NCES, U.S. Department of Education.

What is an MFT Degree?

MFT degree programs are designed to equip undergraduates with the tools they need to excel as marriage and family therapists. Their curricula cover various therapeutic tools and methods to help couples and families overcome these demographics’ unique challenges. Upon graduation from an MFT degree program, students usually go on to become licensed marriage and family therapists, researchers, or educators.

Why is COAMFTE MFT Accreditation Important?

COAMFTE (Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education) accreditation is critically important for MFT degree programs in Florida because it serves as the gold standard for ensuring educational quality and professional preparation in the field. Florida law requires that individuals seeking licensure as Marriage and Family Therapists complete their graduate education from a COAMFTE-accredited program or meet equivalent educational requirements, making this accreditation essential for career advancement in the state. COAMFTE accreditation guarantees that programs meet rigorous standards for curriculum content, clinical training, faculty qualifications, and student outcomes, ensuring graduates are well-prepared to provide competent therapeutic services to couples and families.

Additionally, many employers, insurance panels, and professional organizations prefer or require therapists who have graduated from COAMFTE-accredited programs, as this accreditation signals adherence to the highest professional standards in marriage and family therapy education. For students, choosing a COAMFTE-accredited program in Florida provides assurance that their degree will be recognized by the state licensing board, accepted by potential employers, and respected by colleagues in the mental health field, ultimately protecting their investment in graduate education and facilitating their path to professional practice.

Can I Get an MFT Degree Online in Florida?

There are limited online MFT degree programs based in Florida. You can also find plenty of online MFT programs that are based in nearby states or across the country. The important thing to consider is licensure and clinical hours.

If your program requires that you fulfill your clinical hours in-person, you will need to make sure you are able to do so. Additionally, if you enroll in an out-of-state online MFT program, you’ll need to ensure that you follow Florida’s licensure requirements if that’s where you intend to practice.

Short Length MFT Programs in Florida

If you’re looking for a short-length MFT degree program in Florida, chances are, you’ll want to look at master’s degrees. A master’s degree in marriage and family therapy is the minimum requirement for clinical licensure and they usually only last between 2-3 years (though some are longer). Florida has many MFT master’s degree programs to choose from. As of now, the only Florida-based MFT degree program that takes less than 3 years to complete is the University of South Florida’s marriage and family therapy master’s degree program, which takes about 2 years.

Affordable MFT Programs in Florida

Tuition costs can be expensive, but Florida has some of the more affordable MFT degree programs available to students who are looking to save some money on their education. You’ll be able to save the most when considering MFT master’s degree programs as these typically require less time and consequently, less money to complete. Here are a few of the more affordable MFT master’s degree programs located in the state:

MFT Degree Levels

There are two primary MFT degree levels — master’s degrees and doctorate degrees. Both types allow students to become licensed and practice as marriage and family therapists. A third option, graduate certificates, allows students who are already licensed in counseling or therapy to specialize in marriage and family therapy.

As you’re considering which route to take, always make sure that you’re looking for a seal of accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE). THis ensures that you will be eligible for licensure once you graduate and that the program’s curriculum is up to par with the state board.

Do I Need a GRE for an MFT Program?

Some MFT degree programs rely on GRE (Graduate Record Examination) scores to determine a candidate’s eligibility for the program, while others (such as the University of Central Florida) make their decisions based on grades, academic merit, experience, and other factors. The latter is typically more common, but you can make sure by checking your program’s admissions page.

Master's Degree in MFT

A master’s degree in marriage and family therapy allows students to understand more complex and in-depth therapeutic methods than they were taught as an undergrad, but most importantly, it allows them to finally achieve licensure. MFT master’s degrees typically take around two years and 30 – 60 credits to complete. On average, an MFT master’s degree could set you back around $29,396 on average in Florida. Below are a few great MFT master’s degree programs in Florida:

University of Florida: The University of Florida offers three separate degree programs for marriage and family therapy: a Master of Arts in Education, a Master of Education, and a Specialist in Education. These programs equip students with the education they’ll need to become resident interns in marriage and family therapy.

University of Central Florida: Students looking for intensive, on-campus training will be drawn to the University of Central Florida’s Community and Counseling Research Center, an on-campus psychological research center focused on providing mental health resources for individuals, couples, and children living in the Orlando area. You’ll receive training and fulfill your required clinical hours for an immersive and rounded educational experience.

Graduate Certificate in MFT

Graduate certificates, while not degrees, can certainly accelerate a budding marriage and family therapist’s career. These one-year (or less) programs allow students who are already licensed mental health professionals to specialize in marriage and family therapy without having to take on another degree. MFT graduate certificates typically run about $1,000 to $1,500 in terms of tuition.

University of South Florida: The University of South Florida offers a comprehensive graduate certificate in marriage and family therapy for students with a graduate degree in Social Work, Mental Health Counseling, or Clinical Psychology. While the graduate certificate alone does not provide MFT licensure, it does provide context to common issues that couples and families typically face.

MFT Doctorate Degrees (Ph.D. or PsyD)

MFT doctorate degrees are reserved for the highest-level marriage and family therapy scholars. In the field of psychology, there are two common doctorate degrees: Ph.D. programs, which focus on research or education, and PsyDs, which focus on clinical practice. These highly specialized degree programs take between four and eight years to complete and cost around $35,000 to $300,000 in tuition. Currently, there is only one located in Florida:

Florida State University: If you hope to position yourself as a researcher or educator on topics such as family dynamics, parenting, or generational trauma, consider Florida State University’s Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy. In the first two years of their doctoral program, students will continue with the clinical hours they fulfilled as master’s degree students. The Center for Couple and Family Therapy, located on campus, will serve as a great resource as students complete their required hours as licensed therapists serving the Tallahassee area.

Becoming an LMFT in Florida

Upon graduation, the next step is becoming licensed (if you want to work in a clinical setting). To become licensed as a marriage and family therapist in Florida, here are the basic steps you’ll need to follow:

• Education: Obtain a master’s or doctoral degree in Marriage and Family Therapy or a related field from a regionally accredited institution. Ensure that your program meets the educational requirements set forth by the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling.
• Supervised Experience: Accumulate supervised clinical experience. In Florida, this usually involves completing a minimum of 1,500 hours of supervised experience, with at least 100 hours of direct supervision by a qualified supervisor.
• Examination: Pass the National MFT Examination administered by the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB).
• Application: Submit an application for licensure to the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling. This typically includes providing documentation of your education, supervised experience, examination scores, and any other required materials.
• Background Check: Undergo a criminal background check.
• Jurisprudence Examination: Some states may require applicants to pass a jurisprudence examination, which tests their knowledge of the laws and regulations governing the practice of marriage and family therapy in that particular state. While Florida does not require this, they do require that you take an 8-hour laws and ethics course.
• License Maintenance: Once licensed, you’ll need to maintain your licensure. This will require you to take 30 hours of continuing education classes per every two years to brush up on the latest research and trends in the world of marriage and family therapy.

List of MFT Degree Programs in Florida