What is a Master's in Marriage and Family Therapy?

A marriage and family therapy degree, also known as a MFT degree, is the last step before licensure in most states. Thus, master’s in family counseling programs are the most advanced and challenging programs in the category. Graduate students typically divide their time between stringent coursework and direct therapy hours. Some courses that students take in Marriage and Family Counseling Master's programs include: • Clinical Family Therapy • Couples & Sex Therapy • Psychological Foundations of Family Counseling • Family Therapy Seminar • Critical Issues in Family Therapy

What are jobs are there for Marriage and Family Therapy majors?

The majority of MFT master’s students become marriage and family therapists. There are five principal workplaces for marriage and family therapists, and here is the breakdown of those work environments, according to the BLS: • 16% of family counselors work for individual and family services. • 9% of family therapists work in the offices of other counselors. • 13% of marriage and family therapists work in outpatient care centers. • 6% work in public institutions, excluding schools and hospitals. • 11% of family counselors are self-employed.

How much can I make as a Marriage and Family Therapy?

Marriage and family counselors are some of the highest-earning therapists. That doesn’t mean you’ll be taking home six or seven-figure salaries, but you will earn enough to be financially secure, with an annual median salary of $58,510 . Note that experience and geographic location is a significant determinant of your income. While the top 10% of marriage and family therapists earn over $104,710 per year, the bottom 10% earn less than $39,090. Your workplace is also a significant factor in your income. Here are the average salaries of marriage and family therapists by the work environment, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics: • Counselors working in state institutions besides schools and hospitals earn $86,030 per year. • Family therapists working in outpatient care centers make $61,390 per year. • Those working in individual and family care services earn $51,7000 per year. • Therapists working in the offices of other therapists earn $49,190 per year.

Is a Master's in Marriage and Family Therapy worth it?

A Master's in Marriage and Family Therapy can be valuable if you're passionate about helping individuals and families navigate challenges. It offers specialized training to become a licensed therapist, allowing you to make a positive impact on people's lives.

Where do Marriage and Family Therapists make the most money?

Marriage and family therapists typically earn the highest salaries in metropolitan areas or regions with high demand for mental health services. Cities with higher living costs or where healthcare is in high demand often offer better compensation for therapists.

What is the difference between a Psychotherapist and a Marriage and Family therapist?

A psychotherapist is a broad term that encompasses various mental health professionals who provide therapy for individuals, couples, or groups. On the other hand, a marriage and family therapist specializes in helping couples and families navigate relationship dynamics and interpersonal issues. While both professions involve counseling, marriage and family therapists specifically focus on relational dynamics within the family unit.

20 Best MFT Degree Programs

Quick Highlights:

college rank best mft degree programs — High Resolution Badge

Our #1 ranked school for an MFT program is the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, followed by California State University-Northridge.
MFT programs equip students with specialized skills in areas like substance abuse, divorce, and LGBTQ+ mental health support.
Many of these programs require intensive practicums or internships, preparing students for professional licensure and diverse counseling environments.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the most common work settings for family counselors are in individual and family services (29%) or in the offices of other counselors (28%).

Make family units stronger with one of the best family counseling degrees.

Our editors first reviewed the best MFT degree programs in June 2020. This ranking was last updated on December 6, 2024.

Featured Programs

Keeping a family afloat can be hard work:

conflicting goals
clashing personalities
pet peeves

Need we say more? Often, family units can resolve problems without external help. But sometimes, a family counselor is the only path forward. If you are interested in a career as a marriage and family (MFT) counselor, read on to learn about some of the best master’s degree programs in the country.

Maintaining the family unit can be especially difficult in times of grief, conflict, and stress. How does one handle a sibling with a substance abuse issue without pushing them in the wrong direction? How does a family return to normal when one of the parents is unfaithful? Navigating these waters can be extremely challenging.

Fortunately, the best Marriage and Family Therapy programs have risen to the challenge. Today, many of the top programs offer specialized coursework (and even concentration areas!) that teach you how to help families:

deal with substance abuse issues
navigate challenges of divorce and remarriage
support LGBTQ+ mental health

For marriage and family counselors, helping families overcome these challenges is just another day at the office.

If you want to become that counselor, consider one of the 20 Best Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy.

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What Are the Best MFT Degrees?

At CollegeRank, we strive to do our best to guide you and your family toward a fruitful academic career. The pursuit of knowledge is a noble one, and we want to help you reach your goals.

To supply you with the best of the best in Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy degree programs, we considered the following points when compiling this list, such as:

The school’s ability to provide a quality Master’s degree program in the field of Marriage and Family Therapy,
Offering various learning degree formats, such as online, on-campus, or hybrid coursework,
Taught by professionals in the field of Marriage and Family Therapy,
Offers financial aid opportunities, such as federal loans, scholarships, and grants,
Displays proper accreditation, pursuant to the field of Marriage and Family Therapy,
Prepares graduates for career advancement in Marriage and Family Therapy.

Please feel free to visit our dedicated methodology page for a step-by-step breakdown. For questions, comments, badge downloads, or data corrections, please feel free to reach out to us at editor@collegerank.net.