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 look at a person’s relationships and their dynamics to help them function better. Mental health is often correlated with 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 Vermont, we will lay out programs to help you achieve this goal.
Online MFT Programs in Vermont
While a college or university in Vermont offers no fully online program for Marriage and Family Therapy, some programs in the nearby states of New Hampshire and New York offer a hybrid of online and in-person classes. Additionally, colleges outside of Vermont offer fully online national programs. Vermont 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.
One hybrid program available to Vermont residents is:
- Antioch University in Maine – MA and PhD in Couple and Family Therapy
- Coursework in completed 100% online
- Internship experience is done in-person at a facility of the student’s choosing
Here is a list of FULLY online programs that Vermont residents can take advantage of:
- National University: offers both an online Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy as well as two Doctorate level programs in Marriage and Family Therapy. The programs are all COAMFTE accredited.
- 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 Vermont
Vermont COAMFTE Accredited MFT Programs
COAMFTE is the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education. It 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.
Unfortunately, no colleges or universities in Vermont offer a COAMFTE-accredited Marriage and Family Therapy program. However, in the nearby states of New Hampshire and New York, some programs are COAMFTE-accredited.
- Antioch University of New England – Master of Arts in Couple and Family Therapy
- Hybrid model with online classes and in-person residencies.
- Complete an internship near home or at the Antioch University Couple and Family Therapy Institute in Keene, NH
- Designed to be completed in just under 3 years (33 months of full-time study and internship).
- Antioch University of New England – Ph.D. in Couple and Family Therapy
- Program consists of 86-89 credits of both online and in-person classes.
- Completion of a doctoral dissertation that demonstrates doctoral-level scholarship.
- Satisfactory performance on the Qualifying Examinations at the end of the second academic year.
- Students must attend six residencies across the first two years of the program.
- Full-time students have a maximum of six years from initial enrollment to complete all course requirements, practical experience requirements, and dissertation.
- University of New Hampshire – Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy
- Designed to be completed in 2 years (including summers).
- Requires 500 hours of clinical practicum.
- Students have the opportunity to participate in research conducted by UNH faculty.
- Syracuse University – Master of Arts and Ph.D. programs
- 60 credit hours includes 9 elective credits
- 500 hours of practicum and supervised experience
- Offered both online or in-person
- Ph.D. level program as well as Masters level
CACREP Accredited Marriage and Family Therapy Programs in Vermont
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 is one university that has CACREP-accredited programs in Vermont:
- University of Vermont –
- School Counseling
- Clinical Mental Health Counseling
In addition to Vermont programs, there are a few more in the nearby state of Maine. If you are interested in considering studying at a school in Maine, here is a list of CACREP-accredited programs:
- Husson University in Bangor, Maine –
- School Counseling
- Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- University of Southern Maine in Gorham, Maine –
- School Counseling
- Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling
No GRE Required MFT Programs in Vermont
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 Vermont, there is one program that does not require the GRE for admission:
- University of Vermont: Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Masters in School Counseling.
The requirements for admission are:
- A completed UVM application
- Statement of Purpose (1-2 pages)
- Three Letters of Recommendation
- College Transcripts
- Professional Resume
- Interview (invitation only)
In addition to UVM, here are two counseling programs in Maine that do not require the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) for admission:
- University of Southern Maine: Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
Although USM does not require the GRE for admission, they have other requirements for admission.
The requirements for admission are:- A completed online application
- Official transcripts sent directly from your undergraduate school
- An essay or personal statement (max of 750 words)
- A current resume
- Three professional letters of recommendation.
- Interview with the faculty
- Husson University: Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Husson only requires the GRE for admission if the student had lower than a 3.0 GPA in their undergraduate studies.
The following items listed below are required for admission to the HU program.- Evidence of competent undergraduate academic performance (official transcripts).
- Personal Statement
- One letter of recommendation
- Two professional references
- Interview (may be required)
- Resume
What Will You Learn in a Vermont MFT Program?
The courses and topics you will learn will vary depending on your chosen program. However, all Vermont MFT programs will prepare you with the knowledge and skills you need to become a licensed MFT.
MFT programs are designed to educate and train clinicians, scholars, and researchers in ethical and systemic practice and to 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. The MFT programs in Vermont and neighboring states are designed to prepare you to begin a marriage and family therapy career by providing basic didactic and clinical skills, professional development, and socialization.
After completing an MFT program in Vermont, students are eligible to sit for the licensure examination for MFTs. Once they have passed the test, they can become licensed MFTs.
Some topics and courses you will cover in your studies include:
- Ethical, Legal, and Professional Concerns in Family Therapy
- Foundational theories of Marital and Family Therapy
- Human Development
- Assessment
- Diversity in Family Settings
- Theoretical and Clinical Problems
- Postmodern Approaches to Family Dynamics and Health
- Addictions and Families
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 Vermont:
Here are the steps on how to become an MFT in Vermont:
- 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.
- Complete two calendar years of supervised work experience under the supervision of a licensed marriage and family therapist or a licensed social worker.
- Pass the National MFT exam.
- Keep your license current by accruing Continuing Education Credits
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. You will need to give the Vermont Board of Allied Mental Health Professionals an official transcript from your university, a description of the courses you took, and perhaps a syllabus outlining what topics were taught.
Step 2: Complete two years of supervised work experience.
The Vermont Board of Allied Mental Health Professionals requires that after completing your degree, you register as an unlicensed therapist and complete a two-calendar-year supervised work experience.
Only a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist or Social Worker are approved to supervise unlicensed MFTs. If you cannot find an MFT or social worker to direct you, the board may authorize supervision by a psychologist or mental health counselor.
The licensure candidate must complete 3,000 hours of supervised experience with at least 2,000 hours in direct services, 1,000 hours in client sessions, and up to 1,000 hours of indirect service work.
Step 3: 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 2 years
Fully Licensed MFTs in Vermont must renew their MFT licenses every two years. In addition to renewing their license, MFTs must complete Continuing Education Credits and provide evidence of this in their application. This requirement ensures that MFTs in Vermont keep up to date with the latest research and best practices in the discipline.
Career and Salary Opportunities for LMFTs in Vermont
Marriage and family therapy is growing, and many career opportunities are available for MFTs in Vermont. Here, we will discuss some of the different career paths that MFTs can take and the average salary for MFTs in Vermont.
Career Opportunities for MFTs
There are many different career paths available for MFTs in Vermont. 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 Vermont
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 Vermont:
- 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 does not have data on the median salary of MFTs in Vermont. However, we can compare the median salaries in the neighboring states of New Hampshire ($56,630) and Massachusetts ($55,460) to get an approximate idea of the median salary for MFTs in Vermont.
Marriage and family 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 Vermont, 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 Vermont today!
