For students pursuing marriage and family therapy licensing, the state of North Carolina has many MFT programs to choose from. With all of the choices available, students may feel a bit overwhelmed, especially if they have been comparing programs between states. So what makes North Carolina MFT programs different from other regions in the U.S.? Let’s take a look at a few programs and some of the different standards in this state.
Accredited MFT Programs in North Carolina
If you are looking for North Carolina marriage and family therapy programs that are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), there is only one in the state. CACREP accredits clinical mental health counseling programs and assesses whether or not they provide adequate training for future mental health counselors.
University of North Carolina at Greensboro:
M.S./Ed.S. in Couple and Family Counseling
This CACREP-accredited Master of Science counseling program offers a concentration in couple and family counseling. Students get the benefit of classical learning of theory and technique while also getting the opportunity to put what they are learning into practice. Hands-on learning begins from the first semester when students get the chance to observe professionals in their area working first-hand through a practicum. Later, students take skills training courses, experience an advanced practicum in the school’s Nicholas A. Vacc Counseling and Consulting Clinic, and participate in a 600-hour internship in a local clinic serving families.
COAMFTE Accredited North Carolina MFT Programs
First of all, what does it mean to be COAMFTE accredited? The Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy (COAMFTE) is an accrediting agency specifically for on-campus and online MFT programs. Either a COAMFTE or CACREP-accredited program will satisfy the prerequisites to become an MFT, but the COAMFTE-accredited MFT programs are specifically meant to ensure the satisfaction of requirements for becoming a marriage and family counselor. North Carolina has five COAMFTE-accredited programs. Here are two top-notch programs to consider.| Name | City | State | Degree Level | Accreditation | GRE Required? | Full Program Name | URL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNC Greensboro | Street Greensboro | NC | Masters | COAMFTE | N/A | Counseling, M.S., concentration in Couple and Family Counseling | Learn More |
| North Carolina A & T State University | GREENSBORO | NC | Masters | COAMFTE | No | MARRIAGE & FAMILY COUNSELING CERTIFICATE | Learn More |
| Appalachian State University (MA) | Boone | NC | Masters | COAMFTE | Yes | M.A. in Marriage & Family Therapy | Learn More |
| East Carolina University (MS) | Greenville | NC | Masters | COAMFTE | Yes | M.A. in Marriage & Family Therapy | Learn More |
| Pfeiffer University (MA) | Charlotte | NC | Masters | COAMFTE | Yes | M.A. in Marriage & Family Therapy | Learn More |
| Pfeiffer University, Raleigh-Durham (MA) | Morrisville | NC | Masters | COAMFTE | Yes | M.A. in Marriage & Family Therapy | Learn More |
| East Carolina University (PhD) | Greenville | NC | Doctoral | COAMFTE | Yes | PhD in Marriage Family Therapy Program | Learn More |
North Carolina A&T State University – This program offers a certificate in marriage and family therapy which adds to a student’s educational credentials in the clinical mental health degree program. This certificate is a 12-hour program that occurs with the counseling degree and courses are offered every semester along with every summer session. This program offers several funding opportunities for students to have accessibility and affordability in pursuing additional credentials along with pursuing their clinical mental health degree. This program prepares students for licensure as an LPC and LMFT upon graduation and meets the requirements for state licensure.
East Carolina University:
M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy
This program, accredited by COAMFTE since 1992, offers students both theoretical and hands-on learning of clinical therapy techniques for families and couples. The program is 51 semester hours, which can be completed in as few as two years of full-time study. Nine semester hours of clinical experience are required, which students complete via an on-campus placement at the ECU Family Therapy Clinic as well as an off-campus placement within the community. While a thesis is not required to complete the program, students who want to go on to apply for Ph.D. programs can do so through a special thesis class (CDFR 7000).
Appalachian State University:
M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy
This 51-semester-hour program takes place over two years of in-person study. The first year is focused on class and theory learning, while the second year focuses on internships and gaining practical experience working with families, couples, and individuals in professional settings. With a heavy emphasis on inclusion and social justice, students are encouraged to think of their clients through a holistic lens.
No GRE Required MFT Programs in North Carolina
Many students hoping to apply for graduate school will be required to take the GRE, which is a standardized test used to assess a candidate’s readiness for graduate school. It’s similar to the SAT test you probably took in high school. In the past, consideration of GRE test scores has been a common practice used by universities to assess candidates. These days, especially after the Covid19 pandemic, many graduate programs have opted to focus less on the GRE and place more emphasis on other measurements of achievement, like undergraduate GPA and letters of recommendation. Preparing to take the GRE or other standardized tests can cost money, time, and peace of mind. For those hoping to avoid this process, below is a MFT program with no GRE requirement consideration in the program:
| University Name | City | State | Degree Level | Modality | Accreditation | Program Name | Program URL |
| University of North Carolina at Greensboro | Greensboro | NC | M.S./Ed.S. | Campus | CACREP | M.S./Ed.S. in Marriage, Couple, and Family Therapy | Click Here |
What will you learn in a North Carolina MFT program?
Most marriage and family therapy programs in North Carolina take about two years to complete if you choose to enter on a full-time basis. In North Carolina, to qualify for MFT licensure, you must complete a minimum of 45 semester hours in courses with content areas required by the Marriage and Family Therapy License Board.
You can expect to take at least six semester hours in marriage and family therapy theoretical foundations and MFT practice.
You will also have courses in human development and family relations, diagnosis and assessment, MFT research, and professional identity and ethics. You will also complete nine semester hours of practicum work, which will be clinical practice in a supervised setting. The remaining 12 credit hours should be courses that support your MFT training.
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 North Carolina
To become an LMFT in North Carolina, you must complete a CACREP or COAMFTE-accredited graduate program. MFT program students in North Carolina have to complete nine semester hours of practicum work. Up to 500 hours of your graduate internships and clinical experience can count toward your overall clinical hours needed for licensure.
After graduating from your program, you will need to become a resident in training. In North Carolina, that means applying to become a licensed marriage and family therapy associate (LMFTA) and working in a clinic with an approved supervisor to gain clinical practice hours. Trainees should have 1,500 hours of clinical training, which includes practice hours obtained in graduate school. Of these hours, 1,000 of these hours should be obtained after graduation. 500 hours should be relational, and 200 must be direct supervision hours with an approved supervisor.
After securing your hours, you are now eligible to apply to take the licensure exam. You can submit your request to the Board before you graduate as long as your transcript proves you qualify for the academic minimum requirements: your transcript should show thirty-three semester hours of coursework and a minimum of six semester hours of practicum finished. Whenever you decide to submit your request, the North Carolina Board will send you an email when they have reviewed your request with an invitation to sign up for the exam after they have reviewed your eligibility.
Once you have taken the exam, you can apply for licensure. The application requires the following:
- Three reference letters, which should be given to the candidate in sealed envelopes with a signature over the seal.
- Transcripts from all institutions where graduate courses were completed. The institutions should submit these transcripts directly to the Board.
- Application forms.
- A $200 application fee.
Once you and your institution have sent in all required documentation, you should receive a confirmation of receipt from the Board within 20 days. Candidates will receive email notification of their approval and licensure, and the license itself will be sent by mail.
What does an LMFT in North Carolina do?
A licensed marriage and family therapist in North Carolina offers counseling services to couples and families. These counselors focus heavily on relationships and dynamics between people, particularly as they function within units. Your role is to help the client learn coping skills for life’s ups and downs, give them support as they navigate changes and big decisions like divorce or job change or loss, be an open and willing ear for their emotions and fears, and so many other things. An LMFT may also refer clients to other specialists or services, like psychiatrists, social workers, group therapies, in-patient treatment centers, addiction clinics, etc. An LMFT in North Carolina is a connector and a supporter of families and the communities they live in.
North Carolina LMFT Career and Salary Opportunities
It’s a good time to get into the mental health therapy field. The marriage and family therapy field is expected to grow 16 percent from now to 2030 nationwide, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. That is much faster than other industries.
The growth is likely due partly to the rise of integrated care across the country, which is the treatment of multiple problems for clients with a team of specialists. Rather than operating independently, specialists connect and work together to help clients, whether through partnerships or organizational employment in one place. There has also been a steady increase in awareness toward mental health in the country, hastened by mental health needs brought on by the Covid19 pandemic, and with the rise in popularity of telehealth, the sky’s the limit. Clinical mental health counselors and MFTs can integrate into hospitals, schools, traditional clinics, and many other settings.
As far as yearly salaries go, the national average for licensed marriage and family counselors was $59,660 as of May 2021. The North Carolina average yearly salary for that same year was just a bit lower at $46,900. This state currently employs around 810 LMFTs, which means North Carolina will likely be a place pulling in more MFT counselors in the future.
All Marriage and Family Therapy Programs in North Carolina (Complete List)
There are a number of different types of MFT programs available in North Carolina that align with the needs of potential students. The following list includes all of these programs, including some additional information such as GRE requirements and modality.| Name | City | State | Degree Level | Accreditation | GRE Required? | Full Program Name | URL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNC Greensboro | Street Greensboro | NC | Masters | COAMFTE | N/A | Counseling, M.S., concentration in Couple and Family Counseling | Learn More |
| North Carolina A & T State University | GREENSBORO | NC | Masters | COAMFTE | No | MARRIAGE & FAMILY COUNSELING CERTIFICATE | Learn More |
| Appalachian State University (MA) | Boone | NC | Masters | COAMFTE | Yes | M.A. in Marriage & Family Therapy | Learn More |
| East Carolina University (MS) | Greenville | NC | Masters | COAMFTE | Yes | M.A. in Marriage & Family Therapy | Learn More |
| Pfeiffer University (MA) | Charlotte | NC | Masters | COAMFTE | Yes | M.A. in Marriage & Family Therapy | Learn More |
| Pfeiffer University, Raleigh-Durham (MA) | Morrisville | NC | Masters | COAMFTE | Yes | M.A. in Marriage & Family Therapy | Learn More |
| East Carolina University (PhD) | Greenville | NC | Doctoral | COAMFTE | Yes | PhD in Marriage Family Therapy Program | Learn More |
North Carolina MFT Resources
While there is a lot of information to sort through, qualifications to collect, and requirements to meet, it’s the first step to a career that has a promising future and is filled with supportive people. Here are a few links to relevant resources mentioned throughout this article.
Additional Resources:
University of North Carolina at Greensboro: M.S./Ed.S. in Couple and Family Counseling
East Carolina University: M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy
Appalachian State University: M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy
Careers You Can Pursue with an MFT Degree
