If you call the vast prairies and rich agricultural land of Nebraska home, you know what a wonderful place it is to live and work. The below-average costs of healthcare and housing make it a more affordable state than most of the country. Nebraska is an excellent place to begin a rewarding Marriage and Family Therapy career.
Marriage and Family Therapy is a rapidly growing field. As healthcare reforms created more coverage for mental health issues, more people could receive treatment they could not previously afford. There is an increasing demand for Mental Health Counseling of different types. Marriage and Family Therapy specifically treats the relationship dynamics in a person’s life and helps them to improve their relationships. People who work as Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs) are licensed and certified counselors. They undergo specialized training to work with individuals, couples, and families.
MFTs examine a person’s relationships and their dynamics to help them function better. Good mental health is often related to healthy relationships. MFTs can help people keep the good times happening within their relationships and cope with and grow through struggles and challenging times.
If you consider embarking on a Marriage and Family Therapist career in Nebraska, we will show you programs to help you achieve this goal.
Online MFT Programs in Nebraska
While no college or university in Nebraska offers a fully online Marriage and Family Therapy program, you don’t have to be in the state to take advantage of online programs. Nebraska students can complete their Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from the comfort of their home computer.
Online programs offer great flexibility, making them ideal for working students or those with other commitments. However, ensuring the program is flexible enough to meet your individual needs is important. It is essential to consider the program’s cost when deciding to enroll. The program’s price can vary depending on the institution and the specialization you choose.
Here is a list of FULLY online programs that Nebraska residents can take advantage of:
- Manhattan College: prepares future therapists to work with and provide treatment for familial relationships, marital/couple relationships, parent-child relationships, pre-marital, and other personal relationships. The program is 60 graduate credits with a required 500 hours of internship experience.
- Syracuse University: offers an online Master of Arts degree in Marriage and Family Counseling. The program has a 60 credit requirement along with 500 hours of practicum experience. The program is COAMFTE accredited.
- University of Wisconsin- Superior: offers a 100% online Masters in Counseling with Marriage and Family Therapy track. The program is designed to prepare students to become licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFTs) by passing the national exam.
- Touro University Worldwide: offers a 100% online program accredited by COAMFTE. Graduates will be eligible to sit for the National MFT exam and apply for licensure in most states.
Accredited MFT Programs in Nebraska
Nebraska COAMFTE Accredited MFT Programs
The Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education is a national accrediting body for marriage and family therapy programs. The programs that COAMFTE accredits meet high-quality standards and are recognized by state and national professional organizations.
There is one university in the state of Nebraska that has a COAMFTE-accredited program in Marriage and Family Therapy. Listed below are some critical components of the program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln:
- University of Nebraska – Lincoln, Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy
- 53 total credit hours
- On-campus training at the UNL’s Family Resource Center
- Utilizes a cohort model of 8-12 students per cohort
- Completed in 24 months
- COAMFTE-accredited
There are COAMFTE-accredited programs in the nearby state of Colorado. They are:
- Colorado State University – Master of Science in Human Development and Family Studies with a Marriage and Family Therapy Specialization.
- Designed to be completed in 2 years (6 Semesters)
- A focus on diversity, equality and inclusion
- Cohort model
- Regis University – Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy
- 2.5 to 3 years to complete the program
- Evening and Weekend classes available
- 60 credit hours required
- University of Colorado – Denver – Masters of Art in Couple and Family Therapy
- 54 credit hours required
- US News and World Report “Best Graduate Schools”
- Weekday and weekend classes are available
CACREP Accredited Marriage and Family Therapy Programs in Nebraska
CACREP is another accreditation for Counseling programs, including Marriage and Family Therapy programs. The CACREP acronym stands for the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs. It is a non-profit, non-governmental organization that accredits counseling programs in the United States and Canada. CACREP accreditation is voluntary, but many state and national professional organizations recognize it.
CACREP accreditation is a valuable asset for counseling programs. It demonstrates to students, employers, and the public that the program meets high-quality standards. CACREP accreditation can also make it easier for graduates to obtain licensure and employment.
There are several CACREP-accredited programs in Nebraska:
- Bellevue University:
- Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- Doane University:
- Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- University of Nebraska – Kearney
- Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- University of Nebraska – Omaha
- Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- School Counseling
- Wayne State College
- Clinical Mental Health Counseling
No GRE Required MFT Programs in Nebraska
Many colleges and universities require a standardized test called the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) for admission into graduate-level programs. Many colleges and universities no longer require standardized admission tests. You can find many Marriage and Family Therapy programs that do not require the GRE for admission. However, some programs may require it only under certain circumstances.
In Nebraska, there is one MFT program that does not require the GRE for admission:
- University of Nebraska – Lincoln: Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy.
The requirements for admission are:
- A completed graduate application
- Statement of Professional Goals
- Three Letters of Recommendation
- Undergraduate College Transcripts
- Resume
In addition to University of Nebraska, there are three MFT programs in Colorado that do not require the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) for admission:
- Colorado State University
- Regis University
- University of Colorado – Denver
What Will You Learn in a Nebraska MFT Program?
MFT programs train students to apply knowledge of systemic principles, theories, and research to practice with individuals, couples, families, and groups. Nebraska MFT programs prepare students to become socially proficient marriage and family therapists by integrating the principles of social justice and diversity throughout all courses and clinical work. With this training, you can begin a marriage and family therapy career.
After completing an MFT program in Nebraska, students are eligible to sit for the licensure examination for MFTs. Once they have passed the test, they can become licensed MFTs.
Some core courses you will cover in your studies include:
- Addiction and Violence
- Research Design and Methods
- Multicultural competencies in Mental Health Treatment
- Theories and Foundations of Counseling
- Psychopathology
- Clinical Assessment
- Issues and Ethics
- Family and Couples therapy
In addition to this coursework, students in MFT programs must complete both practicum and internship courses where they begin to work with clients under the supervision of a professor and professional MFT. These hours are necessary for students to gain understanding and practice as a therapist but are also a requirement to sit for the licensing exam.
How To Become a Fully-Licensed MFT in Nebraska:
Nebraska offers a provisional and professional licensure with an additional certification in Marriage and Family Therapy.
Here are the steps on how to become a Mental Health Practitioner with a Certificate in Marriage and Family Therapy (CMFT) in Nebraska:
- Complete a master’s or doctoral degree from a regionally accredited marriage and family therapy program or a related subject with equivalent coursework.
- The program must include a supervised internship.
- Apply for and receive a Provisional Mental Health Practitioner License.
- Complete 3,000 hours of supervised work experience under the supervision of a board approved Mental Health Practitioner with 1,500 of those hours working directly with clients.
- CMFT applicants must ensure their work experience hours are in a ratio of 2 hours of direct supervision or every 15 hours of client contact.
- Pass the AMFTRB National exam for Marriage and Family Therapists.
- Keep your license current by accruing 32 hours of Continuing Education Credits every two years.
Step 1: Earn a Master’s in MFT from a CACREP or COAMFTE-accredited program or another counseling program.
COAMFTE is the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education and is the highest national accrediting body for MFT programs. CACREP and COAMFTE programs ensure that the curriculum meets their standards and prepares students for work as Marriage and Family Therapists.
If you have completed a Master’s or Doctoral degree in a counseling program not accredited by these associations, you must provide evidence of your coursework. Completing a degree from an MFT program will give you the knowledge and experience necessary to pass the National MFT exam and begin a rewarding career as an MFT in Nebraska.
Step 2: Receive a Provisional Mental Health Practitioner License with a Certification in Marriage and Family Therapy (CMFT).
After you prove you have completed your studies and have a plan for accumulating supervised hours of work, you can apply to be provisionally licensed as a Mental Health Practitioner through the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.
Step 3: Complete the Supervised Work Experience Requirement
Only a board-approved licensed Mental Health Practitioner can supervise provisionally licensed MFTs.
The licensure candidate must complete 3,000 hours of supervised experience with at least 1,500 hours in direct services. Practitioners applying for the Certificate in Marriage and Family Therapy must have a ratio of 2 hours of direct supervision by their mentor for every 15 hours spent directly with clients.
Step 4: Pass the National MFT exam.
The AMFTRB exam is the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards exam. It is a national exam that all LMFTs must pass to be licensed.
The AMFTRB exam is a multiple-choice exam that tests your knowledge of MFT theory, assessment, and intervention. You must score at least 75% on the exam to pass. They offer four testing sessions per calendar year.
Step 4: Renew Your License every two years
Fully Licensed MFTs in Nebraska must renew their MFT licenses every two years. In addition to renewing their license, MFTs must complete 32 hours of Continuing Education Credits and provide evidence of this in their application. This requirement ensures that MFTs in Nebraska keep up to date with the latest research and best practices in the discipline.
Career and Salary Opportunities for LMFTs in Nebraska
Marriage and family therapy is growing, and many career opportunities are available for MFTs in Nebraska. Here, we will discuss some of the different career paths that MFTs can take and the average salary for MFTs in Nebraska.
Career Opportunities for MFTs
There are many different career paths available for MFTs in Nebraska. Some of the most common career paths include:
- Private practice: Licensed MFTs can open their private practices and see clients individually, couples, or families.
- Inpatient and outpatient mental health facilities: MFTs can work in inpatient and outpatient mental health facilities, providing therapy to individuals, couples, and families.
- Substance Abuse and Addiction Treatment Facilities.
- Schools: MFTs can work in schools, providing therapy to students and their families.
- Community-based non-profit organizations: MFTs can work in community mental health centers, providing therapy to individuals, couples, and families.
- Government agencies: MFTs can work for government agencies, providing therapy to individuals, couples, and families.
- Military and Veterans’ facilities
Salary for MFTs in Nebraska
Salaries for MFTs can vary depending on experience, location, and the setting in which you work.
Here are some factors that can affect your salary as an MFT in Nebraska:
- Experience: MFTs with more experience typically earn higher wages.
- Location: MFTs in urban areas typically earn higher salaries than MFTs in rural areas.
- Setting: MFTs who work in private practice typically earn higher salaries than MFTs who work in other settings.
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the average salary of MFT’s in Nebraska is $53,990. In the neighboring state of Colorado, the average MFT salary is slightly higher at $61,490.
Marriage and family therapy is a growing field and therapists can work in various settings, and salaries can vary based on the employer. MFTs work in mental health centers, hospitals, substance abuse treatment centers, nursing homes, residential care facilities, and as private practitioners.
A career as a Marriage and Family Therapist can be gratifying. As an MFT in Nebraska, you can work in various settings and earn a decent salary while helping people live more fulfilling lives. You will be able to show people how creating healthier relationships can improve their mental health and overall enjoyment of life. Enroll in one of these MFT programs and start your path to becoming an MFT in Nebraska today!
