25+ Most Affordable Online MFT Programs [updated for 2024]

If you’re thinking of becoming licensed in marriage and family therapy, cost might be a big deciding factor. Luckily, there are many lower-cost online MFT degrees available throughout the United States. Picking an affordable online program can allow you to further your education without the stress of how you are going to pay for classes while still living your day-to-day life. There are many benefits to furthering your education and obtaining a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy, and with low-cost MFT programs available, you can start sooner than you may have previously believed. The following article highlights affordable masters in MFT programs that can be completed both in-person and online.

Why Are MFT’s Important?

Obtaining an affordable master’s degree in marriage and family therapy is an excellent way to further your knowledge and open up options for a diverse and interesting career path while helping others along the way. Marriage and family therapists are highly sought after, as they are highly trained professionals whose education and experience greatly contribute to helping improve other’s mental health, relationships, and lives in general. MFT’s have been shown to be effective at diagnosing and treating a variety of mental and emotional disorders, as well as issues such as addiction, marital and familial conflicts, and more. Marriage and family therapists can work in a variety of locations, such as:

Social service agencies
Schools
Hospitals
Inpatient care facilities
Nursing and rehabilitation care facilities
Outpatient care centers
Legal and correctional systems
Department of Veteran Affairs (VA)
Correctional Facilities
Mental health centers
Addiction treatment centers
Private practice

What You Will Learn In an Online MFT Program

Following your undergraduate program, you can generally expect the total length of a low-cost marriage and family therapy program to be the equivalent of two full-time years of coursework. Some programs, however, have alternative options that allow students to complete the program in three years or more. To obtain an affordable master’s degree in marriage and family therapy, you must undergo an intensive program that covers a wide variety of subject matter, which ensures that you will be fully ready to navigate a number of complex situations. The benefit of completing a cost-effective MFT program online is that you can receive education from anywhere without needing to be present in a classroom. That being said, the education you will receive will still cover the same variety of topics that are required to help you obtain your license once you have completed your degree.

What to Expect After Obtaining Your MFT Degree

Once you have obtained your low-cost master’s degree, you will need to complete the steps to become licensed as a Marriage and Family Therapist. This part of the process can’t be done online. The process it involves a significant amount of face-to-face interaction with clients to practice skills and gain real-life experience. The LMFT licensure process may look different by state, but usually follows a similar process concerning the overall steps. There are resources to help you find out your individual state MFT licensure requirements, but in general, you can expect to do the following:

Obtain a qualifying, affordable Master’s degree
Register as an AMFT
Undergo a criminal background check
Accrue hours of supervised experience
Pass the LMFT clinical exam
Earn your official license.

Typically, you will find employment or an internship as an AMFT (Associate Marriage and Family Therapist) at a nearby organization or agency where you will be under the supervision of a licensed professional in order to obtain supervised experience hours. Within this process, you will meet with clients and use the skills learned in your degree program while having the help of your supervisor. You will work wih your supervisor to reflect on your experience and any struggles you are having in your daily work. This will be critical to helping you become a knowledgeable LMFT.

What Are Accredited MFT Master’s Programs?

When seeking information on becoming an LMFT, it’s important to find accredited master’s in marriage and family therapy programs. Accreditation means that the program has met certain quality standards set by professionals within the field. The Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) is the main accrediting body for MFT programs in the US. Accredited schools undergo quality review by a professional team that comes from academia or the industry they are reviewing. Going to an accredited school means that you are receiving a great education that will prepare you for your future career. You will be able to receive any state and federal financial aid that you qualify for; and you will be able to pursue licensure once you have graduated. Therefore, the benefit of attending an accredited, affordable MFT program is that any financial aid that you may qualify for may cover more of the cost, thus saving you more money.

Types of MFT Accreditations

While keeping accreditation in mind when looking for schools at which to pursue your MFT, remember that many states require schools to be accredited regionally, as regional accreditation is considered to be more rigorous than national accreditation. There are some benefits to attending a nationally accredited university, however, so it’s important to look at both options. Regionally accredited schools are regarded as the highest form of accreditation a school can receive and are the most widely recognized. If a student with regionally accredited credits transfers schools, they will likely find themselves accepted by regionally and nationally accredited schools. However, when it comes to affordability, nationally accredited schools are the less expensive option. They also tend to have lower admissions standards than regionally accredited schools

An MFT program that is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy (COAMFTE) fulfills the preferences and/or requirements of most state licensing boards to ensure someone is eligible for licensure. Someone taking part in a school accredited in this way may experience a shorter supervised practice post-graduation.

The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Programs (CACREP) is held at the same level of quality as the COAMFTE in some states. The CACREP is the preferred organization for other counseling disciplines and is a respected organization. However, some agencies will not allow you to practice as an LMFT if you have not completed a program under COAMFTE.

For those looking to pursue a Masters in Counseling, finding a CACREP-accredited program will ensure that the program meets the requirements for graduates to fully practice. There are a number of CAREP accredited masters in counseling programs throughout the US.

The third major educational accrediting body in mental health is the Counsel on Social Work Education (CSWE). The CSWE focuses on accrediting schools of social work and specific social work programs and is the standard for accreditation in this field. Legitimate MSW programs in the US are CSWE accredited or working towards accreditation.

Accredited Low-Cost MFT Programs Online

Now that you know the importance of accreditation when it comes to your education, you might be wondering where to start. There are many excellent, accredited, and cheap and affordable online MFT programs throughout the United States. For more information on some of the LMFT degree programs available, take a look at the list below.

Alliant International University is a COAMFTE-accredited university that offers a two-year Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy program that will provide the education and skills needed to confidently join the profession. This program is available online but it is also available in several cities throughout California.

Adler University is a CACREP-accredited university that offers both an in-person and online program. The online program can be completed in 3–4 years and does include some face-to-face teaching over the course of two five-day residency weeks on the Chicago, Illinois, campus. The goal of Adler University is to ensure that students enter the workforce as culturally sensitive clinicians who can provide their expertise in a wide range of clinical settings.

Fairfield University, accredited by the COAMFTE and located in Connecticut, is dedicated to providing education that values diversity and teaches nondiscrimination. The program and staff recognize the importance of addressing social justice and privilege for the students in the coursework so that graduates can leave informed and ready to help a wide variety of populations experiencing a number of different problems. Full-time students can complete the course in three to three and a half years.

What Will You Learn in an Affordable MFT Program?

Once you have begun your MFT courses online, you can expect that the program will generally take you 24-42 months (or 2-3.5 years) to become a fully licensed MFT. This includes the coursework, supervised hours of practice, and preparation for the exam.

Standard Curriculum

Although each low-cost marriage and family therapy program varies depending on which concentration you might choose, an overall theme emerges due to accreditation standards as well as the general knowledge needed to perform the job of an MFT well. No matter which program you take, you will likely learn a variation of the following:

Therapy theory and techniques, including how to conduct evidence-based therapy and counseling for a variety of groups that may be experiencing mild to severe mental health issues,.
The understanding of learned theoretical concepts is necessary to be able to critically analyze and apply said theories to real-world scenarios.
Knowledge of social justice issues and the application of said knowledge in practice settings.
The ability to apply a significant understanding of legal and ethical standards to decision-making across a range of service contexts and practice settings.

In order to learn the above, a combination of the following courses may be expected. These courses are the most common in an online MFT program, but the programs are not necessarily limited to just these.

Developmental psychology
Psychopathology
Family therapy
Cultural competency
Human sexuality
Sociology
Child development
Professional ethics and law
Substance abuse and addiction
Case management
Intersectionality
Trauma-informed care
And more subtopics within the above curriculum.

Specialization and Concentrations

In addition to the above subjects that are usually taught as core course requirements, many cost-effective MFT programs also give students the option to focus on a specific specialization or concentration. These studies, if not offered through a specific concentration or specialization track, can still be focused on through electives. Below are some of the most common MFT concentrations and/or electives you might find yourself interested in taking.

Trauma therapy. This educational track might include coursework on the causes and effects of trauma on individuals, families, and generations, as well as grief, PTSD, and other psychological conditions, diagnoses, and relationship issues that rise as a result of trauma.
School counseling. This educational track prepares future LMFTs or counselors for the complex job of identifying students in the school who are having behavioral problems and finding the cause behind them, which usually stems from home issues, and working with the student and their parents to resolve these issues.
Addiction recovery/substance abuse. This educational track provides students with information on how to treat substance use disorders that are affecting individuals and families as well as the causes behind addiction and evidence-based treatment models.
LGBTQ. This population may experience different kinds of struggles than other kinds of families, such as facing discrimination within the family, struggling with gender identity, and many other unique challenges.
Conflict in marriage. This educational track will teach students the tools needed to assist married couples through what can be a very frustrating and difficult time in their lives. This can be a challenge for even experienced LMFTs and may be an important focus to learn.
Community programming. This is a unique focus for those in an LMFT program who want to focus on the overall mental health of a group, and will generally work for nonprofits or the government to educate wide populations on specific topics while offering a therapist’s perspective, which may be different than the perspective of other public health professionals.

Entrance Requirements to Enroll in an Affordable Masters in MFT Program

In order to apply for the low-cost master’s in marriage and family therapy programs, you must first earn a bachelor’s degree. This degree does not always have to be related to the curriculum you will be taking in the MFT program, but it does help you succeed for it to be somewhat related. This also sometimes depends on the school you are looking to attend. Often, once you have completed your bachelor’s degree, you will have to complete some prerequisite or foundational work before applying for the budget-friendly master’s program of your choice. Some of the affordable MFT programs listed in this article do not require a GRE to attend. Once you have earned a bachelor’s degree and qualify to apply for the master’s in marriage and family therapy program of choice, there is an application process you must undergo. While the process may vary depending on which university you are applying for, the general process is outlined below.

You will have maintained a good standing at the university in which you obtained your bachelor’s degree. This generally means that you will have maintained a good GPA that can range from 2.0 or above or have completed 60-semester units. Note: You may have to submit a Graduate Record Examination (GRE), however, this is not required by all schools. See your individual university application requirements.
Complete the university’s program application, which may require the following:
a. A personal statement or essay
b. Two to four letters of recommendation from professional references.
c. Potentially submit a professional resume.
d. Participate in the program’s interview process.
Complete any required prerequisite courses that are needed to be admitted into the master’s program with the required GPA as outlined by the university of your choice.

As mentioned above, the GRE is not necessarily needed to be admitted into a master’s program. More and more programs today are taking a holistic approach to entrance requirements and are looking at many factors to a student potentially entering their programs. If a program does not require applicants to take the GRE, they may look at their overall undergraduate GPA, for example.

How To Find Affordable MFT Programs

With cost being an important factor when looking into online MFT degrees, you might consider attending a school within your state. Generally, the cost of tuition for a student who has a residence in the same state as the university will be less than those attending a university that is out of state. That being said, there are still many programs that are very affordable, regardless of where you live. Below is a summary of some of the most affordable online MFT master’s programs.

Alliant International University – Multiple Locations (Los Angeles, Irvine, Sacramento, San Diego)

Los Angeles | Irvine | Sacramento | San Diego, CA
2 years
Online

Program:
Master of Arts in Marital and Family Therapy

Tuition: $17,130 annually

Accreditation: COAMFTE

Number of Credits: 60

Length: Two years

Format: Online

GRE Required: No

Program Overview:
Alliant International University offers a much more affordable tuition compared to the average cost of a master’s degree in the US. This online MFT program has been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE). Students will receive hands-on training through a 600-hour field practicum that includes face-to-face contact with clients, supervision with a licensed therapist, and professional development hours. Alliant also offers resources for the chance to receive up to $50,000 of loan reimbursement through certain service requirements.

Affordable Online Marriage and Family Therapy Programs

Why Are MFT’s Important?

What You Will Learn In an Online MFT Program

What to Expect After Obtaining Your MFT Degree

What Are Accredited MFT Master’s Programs?

Types of MFT Accreditations

Accredited Low-Cost MFT Programs Online

What Will You Learn in an Affordable MFT Program?

Standard Curriculum

Specialization and Concentrations

Entrance Requirements to Enroll in an Affordable Masters in MFT Program

How To Find Affordable MFT Programs

Regent University Online – Virginia Beach, Virginia

Are There Scholarships or Grants Available to Make an MFT Program More Affordable?

Affordable MFT Programs Online

What are the benefits of an Affordable MFT program?

Additional Resources for MFT Program Candidates

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