Michigan is home to the Great Lakes and, by extension, good fishing. If this vibe suits you and you’re hoping to pursue a marriage and family therapy license, you have a few options for studying in an accredited MFT program in Michigan. From here, we will explore some of the programs in Michigan and look at how to become a licensed marriage and family therapist in the state.
| Michigan MFT Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| COAMFTE-accredited programs | 1 (Michigan State University) |
| CACREP-accredited MFT programs | 1 (Western Michigan University) |
| Total MFT programs in state | 3 |
| License title | Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) |
| Licensing board | Michigan Board of Marriage and Family Therapy |
| Required clinical hours | 1,000 (500 with couples/families) + 200 supervision hours |
| Licensing exam | AMFTRB National Examination ($220) |
| CE requirements | 30 hours per biennium (3 hrs ethics, 1 hr MI law) |
| Median annual salary (MI) | $59,210 (BLS, May 2024) |
| National median salary | $63,780 (BLS, May 2024) |
| National job growth (2024-2034) | 13% |
2026 updates for Michigan MFT students and professionals
Michigan’s MFT licensing landscape saw some notable activity in 2025. House Bill 5074, introduced in September 2025, proposes changes to the limited license renewal cycle for marriage and family therapists and other mental health professionals. If passed, the bill would establish a three-year renewal cycle for limited licenses, giving new graduates more time to accumulate clinical hours before their first renewal.
The Michigan MFT Rules Work Group has continued meeting through 2025 to review and update administrative rules governing licensure. If you’re in the process of applying, check the Board’s meeting minutes for any rule changes that could affect your application timeline.
Michigan has not joined an MFT-specific interstate compact, and no such compact currently exists for marriage and family therapists. However, the state legislature has been advancing the Counseling Compact for licensed professional counselors, which passed committee in late 2025. AAMFT continues to pursue a separate licensure portability model for MFTs through its Access MFTs initiative, though Michigan has not yet adopted it.
Accredited MFT Programs in Michigan
The Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), is one of the most well-known accrediting agencies in the country. The agency examines clinical mental health counseling programs to make sure the program matches the standards of the agency for training future therapists. CACREP can accredit MFT programs as well. There is only one CACREP-accredited program in Michigan, which is reviewed below. If you are curious if an MFT program CACREP-accredited, you can view the directory on the website to search the school. The other main accrediting organization is COAMFTE, the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education. MFT programs that are accredited by COAMFTE will be discussed further down in the article.
Featured MFT Programs Accepting Michigan Applicants
Western Michigan University:
M.A. in Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling
This graduate program in Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids prepares and qualifies students for both a limited license as a professional counselor in Michigan and a limited license as a marriage and family therapist. The 60-credit program offers students a chance to gain practicum experience with clinical work in local clinic settings. Western Michigan University also provides experience in the on-campus clinics in both the Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids locations.
COAMFTE Accredited Michigan MFT Programs
While CACREP accredits clinical mental health programs generally, the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy (COAMFTE) is an accrediting agency specifically for on-campus and online MFT programs. Programs that are accredited by either agency will satisfy the requirements for licensure as an MFT. Michigan has one COAMFTE-accredited program.
Michigan State University:
Couple and Family Therapy Ph.D. Program
This Ph.D. program in Lansing has been around since 1985 when the school began preparing students to work in the field. The program takes four years on average to complete, and students in the program will complete 1,000 hours of clinical practice in direct contact with clients. Students are clinically trained in the Couple and Family Therapy Clinic within the MSU Clinical Center, which serves the local community. In addition to clinical training, students are also given the chance to gain experience in research through mentored research projects throughout the program. Students will need to have a master’s degree in MFT or an equivalent to be considered for the program.
No GRE Required MFT Programs in Michigan
Traditionally, admission applications for graduate programs require candidates to submit GRE test scores to be considered for admission. However, partly due to the Covid19 pandemic, many universities have decided to make GRE scores optional. For those interested in avoiding the GRE, here are a few programs that do not require scores to be considered:
What will you learn in a Michigan MFT program?
You can expect to take around two years to complete your graduate program if you study on a full-time basis. In Michigan, to qualify for MFT licensure, you must complete an accredited MFT program or related field. If your program is a COAMFTE-accredited program, it automatically meets the requirements for licensure.
You can expect to take three courses in family studies; three courses in family therapy methodology; three courses in human development, personality theory, or psychopathology; at least two semester hours in ethics, law, and standards of professional practice; and at least two semester hours in research. As a part of your training, you’ll have the chance to put what you are learning into practice in practicums and internships with an approved supervisor.
Some accredited programs will also require in-person or online residencies during the program. These residencies are your first chance to practice your techniques in a safe environment. Generally, students in the program gather with staff and guest speakers to learn and practice together. While not all programs require these residencies, be sure to check on the requirements for your school of choice.
How to become an LMFT in Michigan
Becoming a licensed marriage and family therapist in Michigan requires students to complete a COAMFTE or CACREP-accredited graduate program or equivalent
After graduating from your MFT program, you will enter your time as a resident in training, which means working in a school-approved clinic under a licensed marriage and family therapy supervisor to gain clinical practice hours. Officially, your title during this period will be a Limited Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist or Limited Licensed Marriage Counselor. In Michigan, the resident in training must apply for limited licensure. Before you apply for limited licensure, you will need to get a criminal background check from an approved vendor and have it sent to the Michigan Board of Marriage and Family Therapy. During your limited license residency, you will complete 1,000 hours of clinical experience working directly with clients. Half of those hours should be spent in counseling with couples and families. You are expected to collect 200 hours of supervision.
The next step is taking the AMFTRB Examination in Marital and Family Therapy. You will need to get permission from the Board to take the exam by sending in an application with all required materials. There are a limited number of open window periods to take the test, so make sure you submit your materials ahead of the exam date you want. You will pay $220 to the Professional Examination Service and another $75 to Prometric to take the test.
To apply for full licensure, you’ll need an $85 application fee and official graduate transcripts (sent directly from the school), among other documents. It takes on average six to eight weeks for your application to be reviewed, and you can monitor your application on Michigan’s official government website.
What does an LMFT in Michigan do?
Licensed marriage and family counselors in Michigan can expect to work with families, couples, and individuals on many problems and struggles. Like licensed clinical mental health counselors, LMFTs help clients grow and heal. The difference is that an LMFT works closely with issues related to relationships from a family systems perspective. Families, couples, and individuals who go to an LMFT for counseling can expect to work on intrapersonal and interpersonal challenges to improve relationships and overall wellbeing. An LMFT may also work to remove barriers to client well-being, including systemic barriers and access to other services.
Michigan LMFT Career and Salary Opportunities
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that marriage and family therapists in Michigan earned a median salary of $59,210 as of May 2024, slightly below the national median of $63,780. The field is projected to grow 13 percent from 2024 to 2034 nationally, driven by continued demand for mental health services and the expansion of telehealth. Michigan currently employs about 870 MFTs across the state.
All Michigan MFT Programs
Michigan has three marriage and family therapy programs that are listed below. If individuals are looking to go out of state, an online program MFT program could be a good alternative.| Name | City | State | Degree Level | Accreditation | GRE Required? | Full Program Name | URL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan State University | East Lansing, | MI | Masters | COAMFTE | N/A | Marriage and Family Therapy - Master of Arts | Learn More |
| Western Michigan University | Kalamazoo | MI | M.A. | CACREP | No | M.A. in Marriage, couple and family counseling | Learn More |
| Michigan State University (PhD) | East Lansing | MI | Doctoral | COAMFTE | Yes | Ph.D. in Rehabilitation Counselor Education | Learn More |
Featured MFT Programs Accepting Michigan Applicants
Michigan MFT Resources
While there is a lot of information to sort through, the journey toward becoming a licensed marital and family counselor starts with your education. Here are a few links to relevant resources mentioned throughout this article for those hoping to explore more about Michigan’s MFT programs.
Additional Resources:
Western Michigan University: M.A. in Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling
Michigan State University: Couple and Family Therapy Ph.D. Program
MFT Programs with no GRE Required
Frequently asked questions about MFT programs in Michigan
How many COAMFTE-accredited MFT programs are in Michigan?
Michigan has one COAMFTE-accredited program: Michigan State University’s Couple and Family Therapy Ph.D. program in Lansing. Western Michigan University’s M.A. in Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling is accredited by CACREP, which is also accepted for licensure in Michigan. You can browse all COAMFTE-accredited MFT programs nationwide on our directory page.
What are the requirements to become an LMFT in Michigan?
You’ll need a master’s or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy (or a closely related field), 1,000 hours of clinical experience with at least 500 hours working with couples and families, 200 hours of supervision, and a passing score on the AMFTRB National Examination. You must also hold a limited license while completing your clinical hours and pass a criminal background check through the Michigan Board of Marriage and Family Therapy.
What is the average salary for an MFT in Michigan?
Marriage and family therapists in Michigan earned a median annual salary of $59,210 as of May 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That’s slightly below the national median of $63,780. Salaries vary depending on your location, experience, and work setting. Michigan employs approximately 870 MFTs statewide.
Can Michigan MFTs practice across state lines via telehealth?
Not yet. Michigan requires out-of-state therapists to hold a Michigan license before providing telehealth services to clients in the state. There is no MFT-specific interstate compact at this time, though the state legislature has been advancing the Counseling Compact for licensed professional counselors. AAMFT is pursuing a separate portability model for MFTs through its Access MFTs initiative.
