Starting down the road to becoming a marriage and family therapist has several twists and turns that are evolving with the changing industry. With so many training options, it can be hard to sort through the marriage and family therapy programs throughout the country. Luckily, for students looking to pursue a marriage and family therapy graduate program in Connecticut, there are some good options. Let’s look at a few of the Connecticut marriage and family therapy programs that are available and go over some of the licensure requirements that are unique to this state.
Quick Facts: MFT Programs in Connecticut
- COAMFTE-accredited programs in Connecticut: 4 (Central Connecticut State, Fairfield University, Southern Connecticut State, University of Saint Joseph)
- Median LMFT salary in Connecticut: $76,930 per year (BLS, May 2024)
- Mean annual LMFT salary: $94,830 (among the highest in the nation)
- Continuing education: 15 hours every 2 years, including 3 hours of ethics
- Supervised experience required: 24 months post-degree, 1,000 hours direct client contact, 100 hours supervision
- Licensure exam: AMFTRB National Examination in Marital and Family Therapy
2026 Connecticut MFT Updates
- Counseling Compact does not cover LMFTs: Connecticut enacted the Counseling Compact (Public Act 23-195), which went live in 2025 for licensed professional counselors. However, the Compact only applies to LPCs and equivalents. Connecticut LMFTs are not eligible and must still pursue individual state licensure to practice across state lines.
- Salary growth continues: Connecticut LMFTs earned a median of $76,930 per year as of May 2024 (BLS), up from $64,190 in 2021. The state remains one of the top-paying states for MFTs nationally, with mean wages reaching $94,830.
- National job outlook: MFT employment is projected to grow 13% from 2024 to 2034, well above average across occupations. Connecticut’s small but steady LMFT workforce continues to benefit from growing demand for mental health services.
- DPH licensing structure: Connecticut maintains two tiers for MFT practice: the Marital and Family Therapy Associate credential for clinicians accumulating supervised hours, and the full LMFT license upon completing all requirements.
Accredited MFT Programs in Connecticut
To become a licensed marriage and family counselor, most states require that school training programs be accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). This accreditation is granted to programs training students in mental health counseling as a whole and can be granted to marriage and family therapy programs. However, another accreditation group is gaining popularity for marriage and family therapy programs called the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE). Connecticut focuses primarily on COAMFTE accreditation to satisfy licensure requirements for marriage and family counseling programs.
Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU):
Marriage and Family Therapy Program
City: New Haven, Connecticut
Length: 60 credit hours
Modality: On-campus or online
Tuition: Between $8,716 (in-state) and $22,446 (out-of-state) per year, not including additional fees.
Program Overview:
SCSU has an on-site MFT program that focuses on “the self-of-the-therapist” development and counselor identity. As the program markets itself as highly customizable, students could complete the 51 credits in two or three years. Students work through coursework exploring ethics, research, theories, and best practices, then gradually move into working directly with clients in a highly supervised on-site family clinic. In the program’s final year, program participants will move to an off-site clinic for their internship practicum.
Why We Like This Program:
We like to see a program that prioritizes mentorship. This program keeps the faculty to student ratio at 15:1, ensuring devoted mentoring.
Additional Considerations:
Once students choose either the online or “on-ground” track, they cannot switch between the two.
Central Connecticut State University:
Marriage and Family Therapy, MS
City: New Britain, Connecticut
Length: 63 credit hours
Modality: On-campus
Tuition: Between $7,281.00 (in-state) and $14,146.00 (out-of-state) for full-time students per year, not including additional fees.
Program Overview:
This Connecticut MFT program bases its approach on a meta-frameworks model, integrating theory and techniques to help clients remove barriers that keep them from improving their wellbeing. The program teaches individual and group counseling techniques, developmental theory, and systems theory to prepare students for a more hands-on application of therapy skills.
Why We Like This Program:
There are two things we particularly like about this program. First, it is designed for working students, and curriculum and class schedules are designed to be flexible. Second, students learn in a clinical counseling laboratory where students can get practice in counseling and can also observe their own progress and get feedback.
Additional Considerations:
The full-time program takes about three years to complete while taking the program on a part-time complete while taking the program on a part-time basis takes up to six years.
COAMFTE Accredited Connecticut MFT Programs
Most marriage and family counseling programs in Connecticut use COAMFTE accreditation rather than CACREP accreditation. What exactly is the difference? In most states, COAMFTE and CACREP-accredited training programs will satisfy the requirements for becoming a licensed marriage and family therapist. However, COAMFTE accreditation will not qualify you to be a licensed mental health counselor. Accreditation by either CACREP or COAMFTE simply means a particular MFT or CMHC program satisfies all of the standards needed to prepare the student for licensure and formal practice. Below is a bonus Connecticut program for marriage and family therapy accredited by the COAMFTE.| University Name | City | State | Degree Level | GRE Required? | Full Program Name | Program URL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fairfield University | Fairfield | CT | Masters | Yes | M.A. in Marriage & Family Therapy | Click Here |
| Southern Connecticut State University | New Haven | CT | Masters | No | M.S. in Marriage & Family Therapy | Click Here |
| University of Saint Joseph | West Hartford | CT | Masters | No | M.A. in Marriage & Family Therapy | Click Here |
| Central Connecticut State University (MS) | New Britain | CT | Masters | No | M.S. in Marriage & Family Therapy | Click Here |
Fairfield University
M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy
City: Fairfield, Connecticut
Length: 60 credit hours
Modality: On-campus
Tuition: $940 per credit hour, which comes to about $56,400 total, not including additional fees.
Program Overview
Fairfield offers a Master of Arts degree in marriage and family therapy. This program is COAMFTE accredited and prepares students for licensure upon graduation. Faculty in the program provide guidance and expertise in clinical training, research, and professional realms which helps students prepare for their professional and personal development. The program itself is 60 credit hours and students have the option of pursuing the degree full-time or part-time and on average, students can graduate within three to three and a half years as full-time students. The program also offers a thesis track option, which allows students to conduct academic research, setting them up for further education and broadening career prospects.
Why We Like This Program
This program has a vast network of clinical partners where students can complete their required internships for the program. As of January 2025, the program boasted 95 clinic partners in Connecticut.
Additional Considerations
MarriageFamilyTherapist.org named Fairfield’s program as the #1 Marriage and Family Therapy program in Connecticut.
University of Saint Joseph:
The University of Saint Joseph in West Hartford offers a COAMFTE-accredited Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy. The 60-credit program uses a hybrid format, combining online coursework with on-campus clinical training. Students gain hands-on experience through practicum and internship placements at community sites across Connecticut. The program prepares graduates to sit for the AMFTRB national exam and meet all Connecticut DPH requirements for LMFT licensure. USJ’s smaller cohort sizes allow for close faculty mentorship throughout the program.
No GRE Required MFT Programs in Connecticut
The GRE is a standardized test used by many universities as a piece of the application process to understand an applicant’s potential fit in a program. While many universities and graduate programs still utilize test scores, many have decided to move away from them and weigh undergraduate GPA, letters of recommendation, and other data points to such as work experience more heavily in the admittance decision process. For applicants, preparing and taking standardized tests like the GRE can be time-consuming and expensive. Below are some masters in MFT programs in Connecticut that do not require students to take the GRE prior to applying:| Name | City | State | Degree Level | Accreditation | Full Program Name | URL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southern Connecticut State University | New Haven | CT | Masters | COAMFTE | M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy | Click Here |
| University of Saint Joseph | West Hartford | CT | Masters | COAMFTE | M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy | Click Here |
| Central Connecticut State University | New Britain | CT | Masters | COAMFTE | MS in Marriage and Family Therapy | Click Here |
What will you learn in a Connecticut MFT program?
Marriage and family therapy programs in Connecticut will cover theoretical foundations in marriage and family systems, assessments, diagnosis, treatments, lifespan development, personality, and human sexuality. Coursework must cover ethics and research to develop your identity as an MFT counselor.
Most accredited Connecticut marriage and family therapy programs emphasize theoretical learning and practical application, so supervised practicum and internship hours are necessary. The one-year-long period of practicum and internships should have 500 hours in client contact, with 100 hours directly supervised by an approved supervisor.
How to Become an LMFT in Connecticut
Connecticut’s requirements for licensure are not the highest in the country, so if you’re planning on practicing in a different state, make sure the program you choose satisfies the qualifications for becoming an LMFC in your state of choice.
The educational requirements for your Connecticut marriage and family therapy program training include completing at least 45 credit hours (compared to 60 in some states). Of these credits, 27 should be in marriage and family systems, marital and family therapy (like treatments and techniques), and individual psychological development. Coursework should also train students on ethical issues (licensure laws, confidentiality, legal responsibility, family law, etc.) and research methods (such as statistical analysis and research design).
Your educational training will culminate in your practicum and internships. These are done in highly supervised, off-campus clinical settings approved by your school. A minimum of 500 hours of client contact and 100 supervised hours are required.
After completing your education, you will need a supervised residency. If the clinic you work with does not have a qualified supervisor on staff, you will need to go through the agency or institute. You cannot directly contract a supervisor in Connecticut. When you’ve successfully secured your situation, you’re a resident in counseling, which is a pre-licensed therapist. This is an important step in your professional development, and it requires 1,000 hours of direct work with clients and 100 supervision hours. Of these 100 hours, 50 must be individual rather than group supervision. In Connecticut, individual supervision can include two supervisees, but no more. Group supervision sessions can include up to six supervisees.
When you’ve satisfied these requirements and it has been at least one year, you can apply for approval to take the Examination in Marital and Family Therapy of the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards. You will need to do the following:
- Fill out an application form found on the Department of Health (DPH) website and get it notarized.
- Request an official transcript of your MFT program sent to DPH directly from your school.
- Secure verification of the postgraduate hours and supervision completed and request the verifying group and supervisor to send documentation to DPH directly.
- Send all documents with a $315 application fee and a recent photo.
Once you receive approval and take the exam, it will take some time for DPH to review your file again and check your scores. If your application and exam scores meet the requirements, you should receive notification that you have approval for licensure. Congratulations!
What does an LMFT in Connecticut do?
A licensed marriage and family therapist in Connecticut is a connector for individuals, couples, and families. Not only will you act as a helper for healing and growing relationships between people, but you will work to identify barriers that keep clients from improving their well-being and find paths forward. Clients could be groups, couples, or individuals.
Connecticut LMFTs have a toolkit of traits that help them help others, including compassion, interpersonal skills, and listening skills, among others. They use these skills to create safe spaces for people to learn about themselves, their loved ones, and their communities.
Connecticut LMFT Career and Salary Opportunities
The MFT field continues to grow nationally, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting 13% employment growth from 2024 to 2034. Connecticut is a particularly strong market for LMFTs. As of May 2024, the state’s median annual salary was $76,930 and the mean reached $94,830, placing Connecticut among the top-paying states in the country for marriage and family therapists. While many students enter the field out of a desire to make a difference, the occupation’s upward trajectory and earning potential in Connecticut are additional benefits.
Marriage and Family Therapy Programs in Connecticut
The following list includes all MFT programs that are available in Connecticut. This list calls out where these programs are located, whether or not they are ground-based or online, and whether or not a GRE is required for admission.
Connecticut MFT Resources
If you are interested in Connecticut schools with marriage and family therapy programs, it can be overwhelming sorting through the option. Below are links to the programs we’ve already mentioned.
Additional Resources:
https://www.aamft.org/AAMFT/Advocacy/State_Resources/Connecticut.aspx
https://networks.aamft.org/connecticut/new-item2/early-career
Frequently Asked Questions About MFT Programs in Connecticut
What are the requirements to become a licensed MFT in Connecticut?
You need a graduate degree in marital and family therapy from a COAMFTE-accredited or equivalent regionally accredited program. After graduating, you must complete 24 months of supervised postgraduate work, including at least 1,000 hours of direct client contact providing MFT services and 100 hours of clinical supervision by a licensed MFT. You then pass the AMFTRB national exam. The Connecticut Department of Public Health oversees the full licensing process.
How much do LMFTs make in Connecticut?
Connecticut is one of the highest-paying states for marriage and family therapists. The median annual salary was $76,930 as of May 2024, with a mean of $94,830, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Earnings depend on your practice setting, specialization, and years of experience.
Does Connecticut accept CACREP-accredited degrees for LMFT licensure?
Connecticut requires that MFT applicants complete a program accredited by COAMFTE or one that meets equivalent content requirements at a regionally accredited institution. Some CACREP counseling programs may meet those requirements if their coursework covers the specific MFT topics Connecticut mandates, but it is not guaranteed. Prospective applicants should verify their program’s eligibility with the DPH before enrolling.
What continuing education do Connecticut LMFTs need for license renewal?
Licensed MFTs in Connecticut must complete 15 hours of continuing education every two years to renew their license. At least 3 of those hours must focus on professional ethics, and at least 1 hour must cover the diagnosis and treatment of cognitive conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease.
