Best MFT Programs in Minnesota

There are many options when it comes to choosing an area of focus as a mental health practitioner. One of the broader options is the area of marriage and family therapy (MFT). This specialization focuses primarily on interpersonal relationships and how they relate to families, couples, and individuals. It utilizes therapeutic methods to address common problems such as parenting dynamics, lack of passion in a marriage, or abuse. To enter this rewarding and popular psychological practice in Minnesota, you’ll need to first enroll in an MFT degree program.

2026 Best MFT Programs in Minnesota

When it comes to top Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) programs in Minnesota, CounselingPsychology.org brings you the most comprehensive and reliable rankings available. Our expert team has carefully evaluated multiple institutions across the state, considering factors like academic excellence, clinical training opportunities, faculty expertise, and student outcomes. Minnesota offers some exceptional programs that prepare future therapists to make meaningful differences in families' lives. From metro area universities to respected regional campuses, these MFT programs provide outstanding education and practical experience for aspiring mental health professionals. Whether you're seeking a master's degree or looking to advance your counseling career, our rankings will guide you toward the best educational pathways in the state. Review our detailed ranking methodology.

#1

University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

Minneapolis, MN - Public 4-Year - twin-cities.umn.edu

Doctorate - Ph.D. in Couple & Family Therapy

Campus Based - Visit Website

The University of Minnesota's PhD in Couple and Family Therapy emerges as a premier doctoral program designed exclusively for licensed clinicians seeking advanced professional development. Distinguished by its COAMFTE and IACSTE accreditation, the program cultivates future mental health leaders through comprehensive training in systemic therapeutic approaches. Emphasizing cultural competence and multifaceted research methodologies, students explore complex family dynamics while developing advanced clinical, teaching, and research capabilities. The program uniquely prepares graduates for diverse career trajectories in academia, clinical administration, and innovative research, with a distinctive focus on understanding and supporting diverse family systems through nuanced, relationally-oriented interventions.

• COAMFTE and IACSTE accredited
• Requires clinical master's degree
• Doctoral students clinically active
• Focus on diverse family systems
• Leadership and research emphasis

#2

Saint Cloud State University

Saint Cloud, MN - Public 4-Year - stcloudstate.edu

Master's - Marriage & Family Therapy (M.S.)

Online & Campus Based - Visit Website

Saint Cloud State University's Marriage and Family Therapy Master's program delivers a comprehensive, innovative educational experience designed to transform aspiring therapists. The hybrid program leverages a cohort learning model with state-of-the-art training facilities, providing students with robust theoretical foundations and advanced clinical intervention skills. Emphasizing cultural competence and systemic approaches, students engage in supervised practicum experiences that prepare them for diverse professional settings. With a remarkable 5:1 student-to-teacher ratio and 100% internship placement, the program ensures personalized attention and professional development. The curriculum is strategically crafted to support licensure preparation, making it an exceptional pathway for students seeking a dynamic career in marriage and family therapy.

• Master of Science degree
• On-campus program
• Cohort learning model
• State-of-art training clinic
• Community internship experience
• 100% internship placement
• 5:1 student/teacher ratio
• Limited campus attendance
• Licensure preparation
• Fall application deadline Jan 5

#3

University of St Thomas

Saint Paul, MN - Private 4-year - stthomas.edu

Master's - Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology

Concentration: Family Psychology Concentration - Campus Based - Visit Website

The University of St. Thomas offers a robust 66-credit Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology with a specialized Family Psychology Concentration, designed to launch professionals into marriage and family therapy careers. Prospective students will appreciate the program's comprehensive approach, featuring over 90 practicum sites and a strong emphasis on clinical training. Graduates are well-prepared for Minnesota LMFT licensure, with curriculum blending advanced counseling techniques and family systems therapy. The program's Minneapolis campus provides extensive supervised clinical experiences, enabling students to develop nuanced interpersonal skills and therapeutic interventions. Recommended entrance exam: GRE, though specific requirements should be confirmed directly with the admissions office.

• 66 total credit program
• Minnesota LMFT licensure track
• 90+ practicum sites
• Minneapolis campus location
• Fall and Spring start dates
• Supervised clinical training
• Specialized family psychology focus
• Comprehensive counseling curriculum
• Practicum with external agencies
• Interprofessional learning opportunities

#4

Saint Mary's University of Minnesota

Winona, MN - Private 4-year - smumn.edu

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

Online & Campus Based - Visit Website

Saint Mary's University of Minnesota's Marriage and Family Therapy Master's program stands out as a robust, COAMFTE-accredited pathway to professional counseling licensure. Spanning 48 credits, the hybrid program uniquely blends rigorous academic training with extensive clinical immersion, requiring students to complete 300 practicum hours, including 150 direct couple and family therapy sessions. The curriculum emphasizes systemic intervention strategies, cultural competency, and ethical practice. Students benefit from a flexible learning format that accommodates professional schedules through face-to-face and online coursework. Notably, the program eliminates GRE requirements, making it accessible to motivated candidates with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Its comprehensive approach prepares graduates for diverse mental health treatment environments while meeting Minnesota's licensure standards.

• COAMFTE Accredited Program
• 48-credit Master's Degree
• 300 clinical practicum hours
• Blended learning format
• Minnesota licensure preparation
• No GRE required for admission
• 3.0 GPA minimum requirement
• Multiple contemporary issue courses
• Diverse clinical intervention training
• Face-to-face and online coursework

#5

University of Minnesota-Duluth

Duluth, MN - Public 4-Year - d.umn.edu

Doctorate - PhD in Couple and Family Therapy Specialization

Campus Based - Visit Website

The University of Minnesota-Duluth's PhD in Couple and Family Therapy represents an innovative doctoral program designed to cultivate advanced mental health professionals. Students develop sophisticated research methodologies, clinical interventions, and teaching expertise with a profound commitment to multicultural competence. The program uniquely requires candidates to hold a clinical master's degree and maintain active clinical practice during their doctoral studies. Graduates emerge as transformative leaders prepared for complex roles in academia, clinical administration, and advanced research. Nationally accredited, the program prioritizes systemic approaches to working with diverse families and communities, emphasizing ethical practice and comprehensive therapeutic understanding.

• Nationally accredited program
• Clinical master's degree required
• Emphasizes diversity and inclusion
• Prepares leaders in family therapy
• Research and clinical focus

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

What is an MFT Degree?

MFT degrees (also known as marriage and family therapy degrees) train students on how to provide mental health resources to couples and families, as well as individuals. Enrolling in an MFT degree opens up a wide variety of career options for students who want to become researchers, educators, and clinicians.

Why is COAMFTE MFT Accreditation Important?

As you decide what type of MFT degree makes the most sense for you, it’s also important to remember to check for accreditation. Doing so ensures that you will be eligible for licensure upon graduation. The main accrediting body for marriage and family therapists is the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE), but you may also find that some programs, particularly counseling programs, are accredited by CACREP.

Can I Get an MFT Degree Online in Minnesota?

For the last several years, online programs (including online MFT degree programs) have become increasingly popular across the country. Because MFT degree programs require a significant level of in-person clinicals, these programs usually include online coursework with in-person clinicals.

Currently, there are no online MFT programs available in Minnesota, which means that you will likely need to look for national online options. It’s important to remember that even if you complete an online MFT program based in another state, you will need to follow Minnesota’s licensure requirements in order to practice there. Here are a few online MFT degree programs based in states near Minnesota:

Northwestern University: The Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy offered by Northwestern University based in Evanston, IL allows students to complete self-paced coursework online, attend live virtual classes, and fulfill their clinical requirements in a community near them. Students enrolled in Northwestern University’s program work with a placement specialist to find clinical arrangements that meet their location needs.

University of Wisconsin: The University of Wisconsin offers an online Master of Science in Education – Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy program which leads to MFT licensure in both Wisconsin and Minnesota. The program allows students to complete coursework online while participating in over 700 clinical hours.

Short Length MFT Programs in Minnesota

If you’re looking to shorten the amount of time between your enrollment and your transition to the workforce, the best option is to get a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy. These programs usually last four years or less, though many MFT master’s degree programs based in Minnesota only require about two years of study. One example of such a program is the Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy offered by Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota.

Affordable MFT Programs in Minnesota

It’s no secret that MFT degree programs will cost tens of thousands of dollars (if not more), but there are many programs available in Minnesota at the master’s level that are much more affordable than the others. Here are a few of the more notable examples of these:

MFT Degree Levels

MFT degrees are available at all levels, but they’re most commonly offered at the graduate degree level. This is primarily because students must have either a master’s degree or doctoral degree to become licensed as a marriage and family therapist. If you already have your graduate degree in counseling, psychology, or a related practice, you may be interested in MFT graduate certificate programs. These allow students to further build on their mental health background to gain additional knowledge in marriage and family therapeutic methods.

Do I Need a GRE for an MFT Program?

Depending on the program, you may need to submit a GRE (Graduate Record Examination) along with your application to show your placement amongst other undergraduates. Not all institutions, however, require this, such as St. Mary’s University of Minnesota. Your admissions department will have guidelines as to whether or not you will be required to submit a GRE or some other type of accompanying document to show your academic merit.

Master's Degree in MFT

MFT master’s degree programs typically run for two years. They usually require the completion of around 60 credits and cost an average of $28,220 in Minnesota. Upon graduation from an MFT master’s degree, you’ll be eligible to become licensed and sit for the exam. There are several MFT master’s degree programs located in Minnesota:

Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota: This 48-credit Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy offered by Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota offers a comprehensive curriculum with the opportunity to complete 300 hours of clinical service to prepare you for a long and rewarding career as a marriage and family therapist. The program also emphasizes an ethical approach to marriage and family therapy and strives for inclusivity in its curriculum.

St. Cloud State University: St. Cloud University offers a challenging and extensive Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy program that prides itself on an intimate 5:1 student-teacher ratio and a rigorous curriculum. While most MFT master’s degree programs require clinicals in the second year, one of the defining aspects of this program is opportunities for clinical work during both years. During their first year, students have a supervised practicum experience at their on-campus training clinic, and in their second year, students engage in a supervised, year-long community internship.

Graduate Certificate in MFT

Graduate certificates are not degree programs, but they are a great way to specialize in marriage and family therapy without fully committing to it as your sole career. If you want to apply yourself primarily in separate mental health practice (such as child psychology or grief counseling) but still would like to educate yourself in marriage and family therapeutic methods, you can do so with this one-year certificate program.

MFT graduate certificates cost between $1,000 and $1,500, and though they won’t lead to licensure on their own, the credits you earn through the program can often be transferred to a graduate program. There is currently one in-state option for Minnesotans to attend an MFT graduate certificate program and another close-by option:

St. Cloud University: Students interested in gaining a strong background in marriage and family therapy outside of licensure can enroll in St. Cloud University’s Marriage and Family Therapy Graduate Certificate. This program offers instruction by doctorate-level faculty members and a strong focus on diversity and multiculturalism.

Family Therapy Training Institute: Aurora Healthcare’s Family Therapy Training Institute (located in Milwaukee) offers a post-graduate certificate in family therapy. Unlike typical graduate certificates, this program lasts two years and is only available to students who have graduated from a clinical mental health master’s degree program. Additionally, the program leads to licensure through over 500 hours of clinical supervision (you will need an additional 500 to be eligible for MFT licensure in Wisconsin).

MFT Doctorate Degrees (Ph.D. or PsyD)

If you want to go beyond the minimum requirements for MFT licensure, you may want to consider an MFT doctoral degree program. Doctors of marriage and family therapy have many more options when it comes time to define your career pathway. Ph.D. degrees in marriage and family therapy are typically research and education-oriented, while PsyDs offer a route to clinical practice.

MFT doctorate degrees typically last between four and eight years and cost between $30,000 and $300,000. There is currently one program option for students in Minnesota:

University of Minnesota: The University of Minnesota currently offers the only Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy in the state. The program is primarily focused on research and education, but there is a significant clinical portion throughout the duration of the study. Applicants must have master’s-level clinicals completed.

Becoming an LMFT in Minnesota

After completing a graduate degree program, the next step is to complete your licensure requirements and sit for the exam. You’ll need to meet the following requirements to receive and maintain your licensure in Minnesota:

• 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 coursework requirements set by the Minnesota Board of Marriage and Family Therapy.
• Supervised Experience: Complete the required supervised clinical experience. In Minnesota, this typically involves 4,000 hours of post-graduate supervised experience, with at least 1,000 hours of direct client contact. This experience must be obtained under the supervision of a qualified supervisor who is approved by the Board.
• Examination: Pass the national licensing examination for marriage and family therapy. In Minnesota, this is the Examination in Marital and Family Therapy (EMFT) administered by the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB).
• Application Process: Submit an application for licensure to the Minnesota Board of Marriage and Family Therapy. This will include providing documentation of your education, supervised experience, examination scores, and any other required materials. You may also need to undergo a background check.
• Continuing Education: After obtaining licensure, you’ll need to maintain it by completing continuing education requirements as mandated by the Minnesota Board of Marriage and Family Therapy. These requirements involve completing 40 continuing education hours every two years.

List of MFT Degree Programs in Minnesota