Online MFT Programs

Your Career in Mental Health, Decoded

Welcome to Online MFT Programs, your go-to resource for marriage and family therapy and related mental health degree programs.

Mental health degree programs have never been more popular or more important. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) reports that the rate of mental health disorders is rising rapidly. At the same time, the stigma associated with seeking help is dropping. This combination of factors has resulted in a high demand for qualified mental health professionals.

Many people feel drawn to the field, not only because of the number of positions and associated job security, but also because a career in mental health offers the chance to make a positive difference in people’s lives and help those in need. However, with so many different types of programs and degrees, it can be difficult to find the one that suits you best.

This site offers complete, detailed information about the various options. You’ll be able to:

Explore programs by

State – MFT Programs by State
Degree level (MA, PhD, PsyD, MSW, DSW)
Field (Marriage and Family Therapy, Social Work, Counseling, Psychology)

Learn the steps to becoming

Access articles that compare different pathways based on

Earning potential
Program cost
Program duration
Prerequisites and admissions (including no-GRE options)
Career opportunities and licensure requirements

At the Online MFT Programs site, you’ll find your career in mental health, decoded.

About Online MFT Programs & Marriage and Family Therapy

Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) programs are graduate-level programs designed to prepare students for careers as licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFTs). MFT programs emphasize a relational or systemic approach to mental health. Students learn how to treat not just couples and families but also individuals. When working with individuals, they are taught to pay close attention to the effects of family and social systems on the individuals’ behaviors and emotions.

The goal of treatment is to improve well-being by:

Exploring family and social systems
Addressing systemic issues
Creating positive change in relationships
Optimizing mental health at both the individual and family level

You can dig deeper into the LMFT role here:

Most MFT programs are master’s degree programs, but it is also possible to pursue:

A Doctor of Marriage and Family Therapy (DMFT)
A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Marriage and Family Therapy

Explore degree paths:

MFT master’s degree programs typically take 2–3 years to complete, offering a direct pathway to a career as an LMFT. Duration depends on:

Program scheduling flexibility
Whether the student attends full-time or part-time

Many accredited, nonprofit schools in the U.S. offer online or hybrid MFT degree programs that blend online classes with in-person clinical training. Online components make it easier to earn your degree while maintaining a part-time or full-time job or balancing other important commitments.

Explore online options:

Typical MFT curriculum includes coursework in:

Family systems theory
Foundations of couples and family therapy
Ethics of marriage and family therapy
Systemic diagnosis and assessment
Cultural diversity in family therapy
Therapeutic techniques and interventions

Most programs also require students to complete a supervised clinical internship, where they receive hands-on experience practicing marriage and family therapy. At the conclusion of most programs, graduates are prepared to sit for licensure exams. Once licensed, LMFTs can:

Work in case management or clinical settings
Provide therapy in private practice, often focusing on couples, families, and relationship issues
Work in nonprofits, employee assistance programs, or healthcare settings

To see what this pathway looks like in detail: How to Become an LMFT

MFT Programs by State

National accrediting bodies exist to ensure educational institutions meet established standards for curriculum and student outcomes. In marriage and family therapy, this offers a checkpoint to confirm that a program has offered adequate instruction to prepare students for the practice of individual, couples, and family therapy.

COAMFTE specifically accredits couples, marriage, and family therapy programs, and is overseen by the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT).

However, while national accrediting bodies ensure MFT programs meet quality standards, each state has its own guidelines for MFT licensure. These typically include:

A degree from an accredited MFT program
A passing score on a state-specific or national exam
A required number of supervised face-to-face client hours

It’s important to research the licensing requirements for the state where you intend to practice before you choose a program.

Online MFT Programs makes this easier by offering state-specific pages that outline:

Accredited MFT programs in each state
Programs that do not require the GRE
Detailed steps to becoming an LMFT in that state
Links to state boards and additional resources

Start here:

MFT Programs by State

Examples:

California

California MFT Programs
How to Become a Licensed MFT in California
City pages: Bay Area, Los Angeles, San Diego

Texas

Texas MFT Programs
How to Become an LMFT in Texas
City pages: Dallas, Houston, Austin, San Antonio

Colorado

New York

Florida

Grouping programs in this way makes your research easier and is another way Online MFT Programs helps to decode your career in mental health.

MFT Program Accreditation (COAMFTE & Quality Standards)

Accreditation is a formal quality assurance process that independently evaluates educational programs against established standards. This:

Certifies the value of your degree
Helps ensure a high standard of education
Often influences licensure eligibility

Each mental health field has its own accrediting body:

APA – accredits psychology programs
CSWE – accredits social work programs
CACREP – accredits counseling programs
COAMFTE – accredits marriage and family therapy programs

The American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) is the professional association for the marriage and family therapy field and oversees COAMFTE accreditation.

COAMFTE’s mission is to:

Promote best practices for MFT educational programs
Establish, review, and revise accreditation standards
Accredit graduate and post-graduate programs and clinical training sites

COAMFTE is recognized by CHEA (Council for Higher Education Accreditation) as the only accrediting agency for graduate MFT degree and clinical training programs in the U.S. and Canada. Its scope includes:

Master’s degree programs
Doctoral degree programs
Post-graduate clinical training programs

Because MFT licensure is often contingent upon attending a COAMFTE-accredited MFT graduate program, students considering this career will want to pay close attention to each school’s accreditation status.

Many COAMFTE-accredited programs also offer distance learning options—defined as instruction where faculty/supervisors and students are not in the same physical location. This may include fully online courses, hybrid formats, or remote supervision.

Online MFT Programs can help you find an accredited program that fits your needs:

No-GRE MFT Programs

Many MFT programs have shifted away from GRE requirements. Reasons include:

Research indicating GRE scores do not reliably predict graduate success
Standardized tests can create barriers for underrepresented populations
Programs increasingly seek to perform a more holistic evaluation of candidates

Instead of focusing heavily on test scores, many programs place greater weight on:

Undergraduate coursework and GPA
Personal statements
Letters of recommendation
Professional or volunteer experience in mental health or related fields

Some programs require GRE scores only for applicants who:

Have not completed requisite undergraduate psychology courses, or
Have a GPA below a certain threshold

Others do not require GRE scores at all.

If GRE requirements are a concern, Online MFT Programs can help you find programs whose admission criteria align with your strengths:

Affordable MFT Programs

A graduate degree is an investment in your future, but for many, the combination of high tuition fees and limited ability to work while enrolled makes it feel out of reach. The average total cost for an MFT program is around $52,000, though this varies based on:

Total number of required credits
Whether the institution is public or private
In-state vs out-of-state tuition

Public universities often offer reduced rates for in-state students. Prospective students should also consider online and hybrid formats when examining costs. The flexibility provided by distance learning can make it easier to:

Maintain part-time employment
Balance caregiving or family responsibilities
Reduce relocation or commuting expenses

To help you narrow down your search, Online MFT Programs has compiled a list of 38 affordable options, including programs offered by schools such as:

Northwestern University
Pepperdine University
Syracuse University

Explore: Affordable MFT Programs

Best MFT Programs

There are over 125 COAMFTE-accredited MFT graduate programs in the U.S. While accreditation ensures that programs meet baseline standards for curriculum and training, some are more highly regarded than others.

Rankings often consider:

Graduation rates – how many students finish, and how many graduate on time
Student support and academic culture
Return on investment – weighing graduates’ earnings against program cost

Some of the most highly regarded programs, especially those at private institutions, are more costly. However, their graduates often have higher earning potential, which can make the long-term benefits outweigh the short-term costs.

For example:

Northwestern University

Home to The Family Institute, a center of both research and clinical services
Offers an MFT program recognized for its strong clinical training and outcomes
Program cost is higher than many public institutions, but alumni earnings 10 years post-graduation rank among the highest in the field

Loma Linda University

Highly regarded MFT program
Over the past decade, 82–100% of full-time students per cohort have earned their degrees in the advertised 2-year timeframe
Offers the opportunity to earn a joint degree in MFT and counseling, allowing for broader career versatility

Online MFT Programs brings together program data, costs, outcomes, and flexibility factors to help you choose the high-quality program that’s right for you:

Best Online MFT Programs for 2025

Affordable and Online CACREP Programs

CACREP stands for the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs. CACREP has accredited hundreds of master’s and doctoral degree programs across counseling specialties.

CACREP accreditation ensures that a counseling program meets standards related to:

Institutional setting and support
Program mission and objectives
Curriculum content and practicum/internship experiences
Student selection, advising, and evaluation
Faculty qualifications and workloads
Program governance, instructional support, and self-evaluation

CHEA recognizes CACREP as the primary accreditor for graduate degree programs in mental health counseling and related specialties. As of recent updates, all state licensing boards accept CACREP-accredited degree programs; choosing one generally sets you on the strongest path toward licensure after graduation.

Of course, accreditation is only one factor. Prospective students also care deeply about:

Affordability – especially when earnings may be reduced during graduate school
Flexibility – such as night classes, weekend formats, or online delivery

Flexible counseling degree programs may offer:

Evening and weekend options
Fully online or hybrid coursework
Distributed internships or supervised practice near your home community

Many CACREP-accredited programs now offer online counseling degrees. These maintain educational quality while increasing accessibility, especially for:

Working professionals
Students in remote or underserved areas
Caregivers and nontraditional students

Online MFT Programs has compiled:

Plus state-level lists for Texas, California, New York, Florida, Washington, Massachusetts, Georgia, and more.

Comparison Hub: LMFT, LCSW, LMHC, LPC, Psychologist & More

Pursuing a career in mental health can offer a powerful combination of personal meaning and professional opportunity. Many who work in this field describe their careers as:

Rewarding and fulfilling
A catalyst for increased empathy
A catalyst for better communication skills
A way to deepen self-awareness and resilience

At the same time, mental health professions are in high demand, offering strong job security.

There are several major roles in mental health care, including:

LMFTs – Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists
LCSWs – Licensed Clinical Social Workers
LMHCs, LPCs, LCPCs – Licensed Mental Health Counselors / Professional Counselors
Licensed Psychologists

Each role has distinct training, focus, and licensure requirements.

LMFTs

Master’s-prepared therapists
Specialize in relationships and family systems
Work with couples, families, and individuals
Focus on how family dynamics and relationships affect mental health—and vice versa

Learn about LMFT pathways:

LCSWs

Master’s degree in social work (MSW) + clinical licensure
View mental health through the social environment, including:
- Culture
- Finances
- Family and social supports
- Community and systems
Many LCSWs:
- Work in advocacy, outreach, or administration
- Or provide clinical services, including assessment, diagnosis, and therapy
Frequently work with vulnerable populations, connecting clients to resources

LMHCs / LPCs / LCPCs

Require a master’s degree in counseling or a related field
Provide counseling services across a range of settings
LMHCs often focus on:
- Assessment
- Diagnosis
- Treatment of mental health conditions
LPCs may:
- Address mental health diagnoses
- Or focus more on life challenges, careers, or relationship issues

Because roles and titles differ by state, not every state offers all licenses. Some states may license LPCs but not LMHCs, or use LCPC instead. Checking your state’s board requirements is essential.

Compare these roles:

Licensed Psychologists

Hold doctoral degrees in psychology (PhD or PsyD)
Training often includes both:
- Clinical work
- Research and assessment
Many licensed psychologists:
- Provide psychotherapy
- Conduct psychological testing and assessment
- Teach in academic settings
Engage in research and program evaluation

Compare LMFTs and psychologists:

LMFT vs Licensed Psychologists

The Comparison Hub on Online MFT Programs brings together:

Head-to-head comparisons
Degree and licensure breakdowns
Pros/cons of each path

…so you can choose the role that best fits your strengths and goals.

Counseling Programs Overview

The field of counseling, like MFT, has experienced exponential growth in the past two decades. Demand for mental health professionals has never been higher, and interest in counseling degrees is at an all-time high.

With so many degrees and licenses, it can be overwhelming to determine which one is right for you. Broadly:

Prospective therapists who want to explore the impact of the family system on an individual’s mental health may be drawn to MFT.
Those more interested in working primarily with individuals might gravitate toward counseling.

Counseling programs generally:

Provide coursework in mental health, counseling theories, and evidence-based practices
Include supervised clinical experience
Offer opportunities to specialize

Some common counseling specializations include:

Mental Health Counseling
- Focuses on assessing, diagnosing, and treating mental health conditions
- Prepares you to work in clinics, hospitals, private practice, and community settings
School Counseling
- Prepares you to work in K–12 school systems
- Focuses on:
  - Academic support
  - Social and emotional development
  - Career and college readiness
- Often includes coursework in:
  - Career counseling
  - Child and adolescent development
  - Educational systems

Online MFT Programs has pages devoted to counseling pathways, including degree lists, accreditation details, and program tables showing:

Program names
Locations
Accreditation status

A key concept in counseling education is CACREP accreditation, which is widely regarded as the “gold standard” for quality counseling programs.

Explore counseling resources:

Cost and GRE requirements are important considerations too. Many counseling programs:

Are more affordable than you might think when factoring in long-term earnings and job security
Have eliminated GRE requirements, especially to support diversity and nontraditional applicants

Online MFT Programs highlights:

Affordable counseling programs

No-GRE counseling programs, so you can quickly filter options that fit your situation

CACREP-Accredited Counseling Programs

Once you’ve decided that counseling is right for you, there are several factors to consider:

Location – Do you want a local program or are you open to relocating or studying online?
Cost – What is tuition, and what financial aid or assistantships are available?
Flexibility – Are there part-time, evening, or online options that allow you to work while studying?
Admissions – Will you need to submit GRE scores?

Perhaps the most important factor is accreditation. In counseling, the main accrediting body is CACREP. CHEA recognizes CACREP as the main accreditor for counseling specialties.

CACREP’s scope includes master’s programs in seven specializations:

Addiction counseling
Career counseling
Clinical mental health counseling
Clinical rehabilitation counseling
College counseling
Marriage, couple, and family counseling
School counseling

CACREP accreditation ensures that:

The program’s curriculum includes all required content areas
Students complete sufficient supervised clinical experiences
Evaluation methods and program governance meet industry standards

Choosing a CACREP-accredited program is strongly encouraged because:

It helps ensure a high-quality education
It may simplify licensure eligibility
Some states (e.g., Florida, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio) require counseling applicants to have a CACREP-accredited degree

While non-CACREP programs sometimes meet state requirements, choosing a non-accredited program is inherently riskier. It is essential to:

Review your state’s licensing board requirements carefully
Confirm whether graduates of a given program are eligible for licensure

Online MFT Programs makes this research easier by providing:

Program tables for each specialization
State-by-state CACREP program listings
FAQ sections explaining CACREP and its impact on licensure

Start here:

Psychology Programs Overview

Psychology is the study of the mind and its influence on behavior. Given the breadth of this definition, it’s not surprising that there are many subfields, including:

Clinical Psychology

Focused on the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of complex mental disorders.

Counseling Psychology

Centered on promoting wellness and adaptive coping, often with less emphasis on severe pathology.

Forensic Psychology

Applying psychological principles to the legal and criminal justice systems.

School Psychology

Focused on meeting academic, behavioral, and emotional needs of students in educational settings.

Becoming a psychologist generally requires a doctoral degree. The main exception is school psychology, where some states allow licensure with a specialist-level degree (e.g., Ed.S.).

Psychology doctoral programs typically take 5–6 years to complete. Aspiring psychologists need to decide:

Which subfield to pursue (clinical, counseling, school, forensic, etc.)
Whether they want a PhD (more research-oriented) or PsyD (more practice-oriented)

The differences typically include:

PhD in Psychology
- Emphasizes scientific research and methodology
- Prepares graduates for:
  - Academic and research careers
  - Clinical work with a strong evidence-based focus
PsyD in Psychology
- Emphasizes clinical practice
- Prepares graduates primarily for:
  - Direct clinical service
  - Assessment and therapy in practice settings

Graduates of both paths can become licensed psychologists, but their training emphasis—and sometimes career trajectory—may differ.

Accreditation is critical in psychology. The American Psychological Association (APA) is recognized as the accrediting authority for psychology doctoral programs. APA accreditation:

Confirms that a program meets industry standards for training and curriculum
Is often required or strongly preferred for licensure and certain jobs

In school psychology, the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) sets standards and vets programs. NASP:

Requires extensive supervised internship hours (often 1,200 total hours, including 600 in a school setting)
Is considered the most direct route to school psychology certification, although not always mandatory

Online MFT Programs helps you navigate these choices:

Social Work Programs Overview

Social work is a broad field that uses social theory to improve individual lives and society as a whole. A core theme is the promotion of social justice. Social workers tend to view an individual’s mental health and well-being through the lens of their:

Socioeconomic status
Culture and community
Family systems
Access to social and institutional support

Many social workers do non-clinical work, including:

Advocacy
Policy work and administration
Community outreach and resource coordination

Those who want to provide clinical services typically become Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs). LCSWs:

Hold a master’s degree in social work (MSW)
Are trained in assessment, diagnosis, and counseling
Often work with vulnerable populations and link clients with community resources

Program accreditation is crucial here, too. Attending a CSWE-accredited MSW program is the best way to ensure your education meets standards for clinical social work licensure. CSWE accreditation:

Confirms program quality and ethical standards
Makes it easier to qualify for licensure and advanced roles

Some CSWE-accredited programs do not require GRE scores, which can be important if you want to avoid standardized testing barriers. Online MFT Programs highlights such options.

An advanced standing MSW is an excellent choice if you already have a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW). These programs:

Recognize your prior social work coursework
Allow you to finish the MSW faster than a traditional track

Another advanced option is a Doctor of Social Work (DSW). DSWs:

Deepen expertise in theory and practice
Prepare graduates for leadership, administration, or advanced clinical work
Can expand career options and earning potential

As with MSW programs, CSWE accreditation is an important factor to consider when choosing a DSW.

Online MFT Programs offers:

You’ll also find state-specific MSW lists (e.g., California, New York, Texas, Florida, Washington, Oregon, Illinois, Maryland, Arizona, Tennessee, Virginia, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and more) to help you compare options by geography.

Career Pathways and Licensure Guides

In some ways, the first step toward a career in mental health is the most difficult. There are many pathways, degrees, and licenses:

Marriage and Family Therapy (LMFT / AMFT)
Counseling (LPC, LMHC, LCPC)
Social Work (LCSW)
Psychology (PhD, PsyD, school psychology)

Online MFT Programs provides in-depth analyses of these career pathways to help you figure out which fits your interests, strengths, and goals.

Once you’ve identified a field, you’ll need to explore admissions requirements. Common themes include:

A bachelor’s degree (not always in the same field)
Relevant coursework in psychology or social sciences
GRE requirements (which many programs are dropping)

Some programs allow applicants without a directly related undergraduate degree to:

Demonstrate baseline knowledge via GRE subject tests, or
Provide evidence of professional experience and strong academic performance

Others explicitly do not require GRE scores and instead place greater emphasis on:

Personal statements
Letters of recommendation
Professional or volunteer experience

You must wait until you earn your graduate degree to apply for a license, but it’s essential to think about licensure before you pick a program. Many state licensing boards require that applicants attend graduate programs accredited by:

COAMFTE (MFT)
CSWE (Social Work)
CACREP (Counseling)
APA (Psychology)

Licensing requirements vary by state, so you’ll need to check the specific guidelines of the state where you intend to practice. Online MFT Programs explains what accreditation means in each discipline and helps you find programs aligned with those standards.

Key licensure guides:

Each guide breaks down:

Educational requirements
Supervised hours
Exams and application processes
Tips for choosing the right program

Student and Professional Resources

Careers in mental health have never been more popular, but understanding the diverse roles and career pathways can be daunting. Resources are available, but tracking them down is not always quick or easy. Online MFT Programs is designed to be your hub for student and professional resources in the field of mental health.

On this one site, you’ll find internal and external resources to help you:

Start your education
Navigate licensure
Advance your career

Internal Resources

Internal resources include:

Articles that unpack degree programs and help you choose the right one
Direct comparisons between licenses (LMFT vs LCSW vs LPC vs LMHC vs psychologist, etc.)
Reliable salary data and career outlook information to support return-on-investment decisions
Detailed admissions requirements and accreditation explanations
Curated state-by-state program lists for geography-based searches