With multiple major cities like Pittsburgh and Philadelphia each with their own unique historical and cultural offerings, Pennsylvania is a great place to look for marriage and family therapy programs. Not only is it the state where the Declaration of Independence was signed, but it is also home to many masters in MFT programs designed to mold well-rounded mental marriage and family therapists. Let’s take a look at a few accredited programs and see what it takes to get licensed in Pennsylvania.
CACREP Accredited MFT Programs in Pennsylvania
Many MFT training programs in Pennsylvania are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). In fact, there are currently four in the state. CACREP is the major accrediting agency for clinical mental health counseling programs.
Duquesne University:
M.S.Ed. in Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling
This 60-credit program has no prerequisites, which is great for those pursuing mental health counseling licensure after switching careers. The program takes an integrated approach to learning and treatment, and it offers students diverse options for completing fieldwork, with connections to many agencies. Your Duquesne MFT degree can be earned full-time or part-time, and you can complete the program in two years if you take between 9 and 12 credits per semester.
The program teaches techniques for approaching conflict in family units and couples, and students also learn techniques in areas like anger management, grief, and self-esteem. They also begin to practice creating collaborative treatment plans for care, which is an important skill in a field that is evolving to seek partnerships with other health and wellness industries to care for clients in a holistic way.
Geneva College:
M.A. in Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling
Geneva offers its MFT program both online and on-campus. Students can even opt to complete the program on a hybrid basis. Faculty instruct students with a curriculum that mixes scientific strategies and techniques for effective counseling with a faith base, seeking to understand the human condition, pain, healing, and therapy from a Christian perspective. Geneva’s marriage, couple, and family counseling degree is actually a concentration students can pursue as part of the school’s counseling program.
Both online, on-campus, and hybrid formats include many types of teaching methods, including lectures, flipped classrooms, roleplays, guest lecturers, and more. The program takes 60 credits to complete and requires both traditional supervised practicum hours in an approved clinic and a one-time five-day on-campus residency. The residency gives students their first chance to put their training into action as they practice and learn along with classmates and connect with faculty at Geneva’s Beaver Falls campus.
COAMFTE Accredited Pennsylvania MFT Programs
We have already discussed what it means to be CACREP-accredited, but there is also another major accrediting agency specifically for marriage and family therapy programs. The Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy (COAMFTE) checks the qualifications for MFT programs, and many state licensing boards will automatically accept a COAMFTE-accredited program when checking your licensing qualifications. Pennsylvania has four COAMFTE-accredited programs. Here is one top-notch program to consider.| Name | City | State | Degree Level | Accreditation | GRE Required? | Full Program Name | URL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kairos University | Sioux Falls | PA | Masters | COAMFTE | N/A | Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy | Learn More |
| Evangelical Theological Seminary (MA) | Myerstown | PA | Masters | COAMFTE | No | M.A. in Marriage & Family Therapy | Learn More |
| LaSalle University (MA) | Philadelphia | PA | Masters | COAMFTE | No | M.A. in Marriage & Family Therapy | Learn More |
| Drexel University (MFT) | Philadelphia | PA | Masters | COAMFTE | No | Master of Family Therapy (MFT) | Learn More |
| Thomas Jefferson University (MMFT) | Philadelphia | PA | Masters | COAMFTE | Yes | Master of Family Therapy (MFT) | Learn More |
| drexel university | Philadelphia | PA | Masters | COAMFTE | No | Master of Family Therapy | Learn More |
Kairos University offers a Master of Arts degree in marriage and family therapy that is COAMFTE accredited and is designed to prepare students for licensure as an LMFT upon graduation in over 37 states. This program fosters strong relationships with peers and mentors which aids in their goal of student personal and professional development. The curriculum consists of 65 credit hours where there the intersection of Christian ideals with family counseling is inbuilt with the coursework provided. Students will complete approximately 7 credit hours of clinical practicum training which is offered over a variety of available training sites. Overall, this program takes about two to three years to be completed.
LaSalle University – This marriage and family therapy program is COAMFTE accredited and incorporates a rigorous 60-credit-hour curriculum that prepares students for licensure as an LMFT upon graduation. An added advantage to this program is that it prepares students for further education in a doctoral program through the integration of academic research into the curriculum. Students are required to complete a clinical practicum training spanning 12 months. They are provided with great support including clinical and educational resources, mentorship and supervision, and a supportive peer model to build a personal and professional identity as they go through this program.
Drexel University:
Drexe’s full-time program takes 90 credits to complete and has both online and on-campus classes. This program stands out because courses put a focus on couples and families dealing with trauma and addiction, adolescents at risk of suicide, LGBT individuals, and other specific populations. Students learn from faculty certified in many backgrounds and techniques, including Attachment-based Family Therapy, Emotionally-Focused Couples Therapy, Sex Therapy, and the Person-of-the-Therapist model. Students will also be trained in these models and more.
Students also gain the benefit of learning through Drexel’s Individual, Couple, and Family Therapy Services on-campus clinic, where they participate in clinical simulations and practice.
No GRE Required MFT Programs in Pennsylvania
If you remember taking the SAT standardized test for college when you were still in high school, you may know that consideration for graduate school has historically required candidates to take another standardized test, the GRE. In recent years, however, many schools are foregoing the GRE as a requirement for applicants. Instead, these schools are focusing on other application materials like undergraduate GPAs and letters of recommendation. If you are hoping to avoid the GRE, here are a few programs in Pennsylvania that do not require the test scores for consideration:| Name | City | State | Degree Level | Accreditation | GRE Required? | Full Program Name | URL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kutztown University | Kutztown | PA | M.A. | CACREP | No | M.A. in Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling | Learn More |
| Duquesne University | Pittsburgh | PA | M.S.Ed. | CACREP | No | M.S.Ed. in Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling | Learn More |
| Geneva College | Beaver Falls | PA | M.A. | CACREP | No | M.A. in Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling | Learn More |
| Messiah University (previously Messiah College) | Mechanicsburg | PA | M.A. | CACREP | No | M.A. in Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling | Learn More |
| Evangelical Theological Seminary (MA) | Myerstown | PA | Masters | COAMFTE | No | M.A. in Marriage & Family Therapy | Learn More |
| LaSalle University (MA) | Philadelphia | PA | Masters | COAMFTE | No | M.A. in Marriage & Family Therapy | Learn More |
| Drexel University (MFT) | Philadelphia | PA | Masters | COAMFTE | No | Master of Family Therapy (MFT) | Learn More |
| drexel university | Philadelphia | PA | Masters | COAMFTE | No | Master of Family Therapy | Learn More |
Kutztown University – This CACREP-accredited Master of Arts degree in marriage and family therapy consists of a 60-credit hour curriculum that prepares students for dual licensure as an LPC or an LMFT. The program requires 700 hours of clinical field experience to ensure the production of competent clinicians in the field. Students have the option of obtaining a Master of Science degree that requires additional involvement in conducting academic research and the completion of a thesis requirement. This program offers a variety of mentorship backgrounds and training opportunities that helps its students identify strengths and challenge areas that need to be improved on.
Messiah University – The Master of Arts degree in Clinical Mental Health is a CACREP-accredited program that offers several certification options including a certification in marriage, couples, and family counseling. A major advantage to this program is that the majority of the course offered is online, which makes it an appealing option to those interested in distance education, or a career and a graduate degree simultaneously. This program also prepares students for dual licensure as an LPC and an LMFT along with smaller class sizes that offer a personalized experience to develop students professionally. The curriculum consists of 60 credit hours and students typically take approximately two years to graduate.
What will you learn in a Pennsylvania MFT program?
It should take you around two years to finish your graduate school program in Pennsylvania if you are planning to take the program on a full-time basis. In Pennsylvania, to qualify for MFT licensure, you must complete a minimum of 60 semester hours in a degree related to marriage and family therapy. You’ll have one year or three semesters of practicum hours (aka supervised clinical practice at the graduate level).
You can expect to take courses in human development (9 semester hours), marriage and family studies (9 semester hours), marriage and family therapy (9 semester hours), research (3 semester hours), and professional studies (3 semester hours).
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 Pennsylvania
To become an LMFT in Pennsylvania, you must complete a CACREP or COAMFTE-accredited graduate program. MFT program students in Pennsylvania have to complete 90 semester hours of coursework, but a degree with 48 to 59 semester hours can be accepted if the student makes up the difference with extra coursework. This also applies if the student has a degree that is not from an MFT program.
After graduating from your program, you will need to become a resident in training, which means working in a clinic approved by your school and working under an approved supervisor to gain clinical practice hours. Students should complete a minimum of two years of internships with at least 3,000 hours of clinical practice, all post-graduate. At least 1,500 of these hours must be direct service work, including therapy, assessment, consultation, and psychoeducation.
After securing your hours, you can apply to the State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors for licensure. However, you will also need to take the exam. To apply, you must have your official transcripts, records of supervision, curriculum vitae outlining activities since graduation, and two letters of recommendation. An application by examination will require a $45 fee along with the other documents.
After your application has been approved, you will be sent details about the examination, and you can register with the Professional Examination Service (PES). Tests are scheduled four months out of the year, so keep your eye open for open examination windows. You will schedule your exam at a Prometric center and should do so no later than within a week of the exam. Be prepared to pay $295 to take the exam.
What does an LMFT in Pennsylvania do?
As a licensed marriage and family therapist in Pennsylvania, you will work with couples, families, and individuals on many different issues. Depending on your focus, you could be working to help heal addictions, anxiety, depression, and other issues that may be affecting clients and their relationships. This may sound similar to a regular clinical mental health counselor’s job, but the difference is in the focus on relationships and healing through a family systems perspective. You may also be called on to act as an advocate for your clients, with their permission of course. When systemic norms act as a barrier to clients’ healing and well-being, the counselor is in a unique place to connect clients with resources to help remove those blocks.
Pennsylvania LMFT Career and Salary Opportunities
While most marriage and family therapists are likely entering the field out of a desire to help, it is also an economical decision. In the U.S., the marriage and family therapy field is expected to grow 16 percent between now to 2030, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. That is much faster than other industries. A number of factors contribute to this projection, but the Covid19 pandemic was likely a large impact. It fostered a boom in mental health awareness and demand for counseling services. It also prompted a rise in telehealth services, making online counseling more mainstream and accessible.
Aside from the growing need and availability of jobs, the salary is also an incentive for those hoping to enter the field. The national average for licensed marriage and family counselors was $59,660 as of May 2021. The Pennsylvania average yearly salary for that same year was a bit lower at $51,260. This state currently employs around 1,470 LMFTs.
MFT Programs in Pennsylvania
With multiple major cities each with its own unique historical and cultural offerings, Pennsylvania is a great place to look for marriage and family therapy programs.Luckily for students pursuing marriage and family therapy licensing, the state also 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 Pennsylvania 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.
| University Name | City | State | Degree Level | Accreditation | Program Name | Program URL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geneva College | Beaver Falls | PA | M.A. | CACREP | M.A. in Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling | Click Here |
| Kutztown University | Kutztown | PA | M.A. | CACREP | M.A. in Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling | Click Here |
| Messiah University | Mechanicsburg | PA | M.A. | CACREP | M.A. in Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling | Click Here |
| Duquesne University | Pittsburg | PA | M.S.Ed. | CACREP | M.S.Ed. in Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling | Click Here |
| Evangelical Theological Seminary | Myerstown | PA | Masters | COAMFTE | M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy | Click Here |
| LaSalle University | Philadelphia | PA | Masters | COAMFTE | M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy | Click Here |
| Drexel University | Philadelphia | PA | Masters | COAMFTE | Master of Family Therapy | Click Here |
Pennsylvania MFT Resources
If you are interested in any of the programs mentioned in the article, here are a few additional resources to help guide you in your decision-making process.
Additional Resources:
Duquesne University: M.S.Ed. in Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling
Geneva College: M.A. in Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling
Drexel University: Master of Family Therapy
