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Marriage and Family Therapy
Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy
Pursue the knowledge and skills you need to help individuals, couples and families improve their relationships with an online MS in Marriage and Family Therapy from Capella. Turn your desire to help others into a career that can guide people toward more positive futures. Learn to integrate research and theory into practice, build clinical skills and self-awareness, and incorporate concepts of advocacy and social justice.
Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE), this program helps prepare you for an initial license as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT).
In compliance with the COAMFTE public disclosure policy, Capella University reports graduate achievement data including graduation, licensure, and job placements rates.
Classes start September 9
Apply today with no application fee.
At a glance
- COAMFTE accredited
- GuidedPath
- Online & In-person
- 16 courses, 2 with residencies
- 4 quarters of internship
- 16 max transfer credits
Reduce your tuition by $2,500
Enroll in a qualified program and apply for a $2.5K Capella Progress Reward, a scholarship to help fund your master’s degree. Eligibility rules and exclusions apply. Connect with us for details.
Explore marriage and family therapy courses
- This degree requires a total of 72 program credits in GuidedPath
- You’ll need to complete 16 courses and two residencies, plus internship requirements
Show all descriptions
MFT5336
Diversity and Social Justice in Systemic Family Therapy
4 quarter credits
This course introduces theory, research, and models that inform ethical, culturally competent clinical work, and social justice advocacy in a variety of settings. Learners use strategies to address the influence of heritage, attitudes, beliefs, and acculturative experiences on the therapeutic process. In addition, learners gain knowledge of effective systemic therapy and advocacy strategies with diverse individuals, couples, families, and groups and determine ways to advocate and promote social justice at multiple levels. Prerequisites: MFT5008, MFT5222.
4 quarter credits
MFT5107
Psychopathology: Diagnosis and Treatment of Behavior Disorders
4 quarter credits
Learners in this course apply psychopathology principles and current issues associated with assessing mental disorders within a systemic, relational context. Learners critically evaluate diagnostic models, methods, and approaches used in diagnosing and treating individuals, couples, and families. Learners also assess psychopharmalogical considerations and examine the current DSM classifications and diagnostic issues associated with multicultural populations. Prerequisite: MFT-R5821
4 quarter credits
MFT5822
Systemic Interventions for Grief, Loss, and Trauma
4 quarter credits
Learners explore issues of grief, loss and trauma within the practice of marriage and family therapy. Learners develop assessment and intervention skills using systemic and relational frameworks while addressing multicultural considerations. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer. Prerequisite: MFT5107, MFT5271, MFT5273, MFT-R5821.
4 quarter credits
MFT5108
Impact of Addiction and Addictive Behavior on Family Systems
4 quarter credits
This course provides learners with fundamental knowledge of addiction from its historical roots through contemporary issues. Learners examine and apply systemic theory and research that guides treatment for substance use disorders and related addictive behaviors, including the diagnosis and treatment of co-occurring mental health issues. In addition, learners analyze empirically supported interventions for individuals, families, groups, and diverse populations from systemic perspectives and assess emerging issues in the field based upon current research. Prerequisite(s): MFT-R5821
4 quarter credits
MFT5820
Systemic Family Therapy Theory and Practice 2
4 quarter credits
In this course, learners gain clinical marriage and family therapy skills needed for the first residency. Learners build and maintain therapeutic relationships, conceptualize cases from a systemic perspective, conduct couple and family sessions, perform therapeutic assessments, apply ethical and legal standards of practice when working with couples and families from diverse backgrounds. MFT-R5821 must be taken the quarter immediately following MFT5820. Prerequisite(s): MFT5008; MFT5222; MFT5270. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.
4 quarter credits
*Course has prerequisite(s). See catalog for details.
What you’ll learn
Discover your path to gaining real-world skills that you can apply to your passion for helping others and helping families achieve their goals. This program is designed to help you effectively integrate and apply research and theories in the practice of systemic marriage and family therapy, including theories of individual and family development across the life span.
On successful completion of this program, you should be able to:
- Identify as a marriage and family therapist, aligning systemic clinical practice with state and national standards for the marriage and family therapy discipline and engaging in community and scholarly activities
- Demonstrate knowledge of culturally and ethnically sensitive matters in a variety of settings integrating concepts of advocacy and social justice
- Understand the clinical application and practice of systemic theory relevant to family dynamics in the field of marriage and family therapy
- Effectively use a systemic perspective for client engagement, assessment and intervention
- Understand and apply the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy Codes of Ethics
Review the Capella career exploration guide and the Marriage and Family Therapy Program Handbook to learn more about this program and career paths to explore.
How much does the MS in Marriage and Family Therapy cost?
The total cost of your degree will depend on academic performance, transfer credits, scholarships and other factors. See GuidedPath cost information below.
A structured learning format with an active peer community and faculty guidance. We’ll set the schedule, you meet the deadlines.
- Based on the quarter system; 1–3 courses per 10-week quarter
- 1 semester credit = 1.5 quarter credits
- Weekly assignments and courseroom discussions
- Pay for what you take, price varies by courseload or quarter
$35,784
NO TRANSFER CREDITS
$497 per credit, $175 resource kit fee, 72 total quarter credits, 16 max transfer credits
*This is only an estimate, effective July 8, 2024, and is subject to change. Your tuition amount will vary depending on your unique circumstances, such as your program specialization, transfer credits and any applicable tuition discounts. This estimate does not include the cost of books, course materials, supplies, equipment and other expenses. Tuition estimates shown for the GuidedPath learning format depend on the number of credits accepted for transfer. New or recently revised program tuition estimates are based on comparable programs.
Capella is committed to transparency in tuition and pricing. You will be responsible for costs in addition to tuition, which may include travel expenses and practicum costs. You will be charged $50-$200 each quarter or billing session for your resource kit, which includes required books, software and other course materials. Click here to review program-specific fee amounts in our University Catalog.
Find out more about financing and payment options to help you complete your program. Federal aid also is available to help manage the costs of higher education. Learn more about financing your education.
Questions about cost?
Contact an enrollment counselor.
*Alumni Outcomes Survey, 2022–2023
Are there scholarships available for master's degrees?
Your education is an investment in your future. There are more ways to save than you might think.
Capella is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Accreditation and recognitions provide evidence that we meet standards for quality of faculty, curriculum, learner services, and fiscal stability.
See all our accreditations and recognitions.
Preparing for licensure
It is important to understand all educational and individual requirements for licensing. Capella University cannot guarantee licensure, certification, or endorsement. State regulations vary regarding professional licensure. It is your responsibility to understand and comply with requirements for your state.
MS in Marriage & Family Therapy admission requirements
Admission requirements
Applicants to the MS in Marriage & Family Therapy program must provide the following information for admission:
- A bachelor’s degree from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, or from an internationally recognized institution
- Your official bachelor’s transcripts, minimum grade point average of 2.7 or higher on a 4.0 scale; if your GPA is lower, call enrollment services at 1.866.736.1751 to discuss alternate admission options
- Your official transcripts from all previous educational institutions, including any graduate or professional school coursework
- Two letters of recommendation completed by professionals who can assess your aptitude for graduate education in marriage and family therapy
- Your résumé or curriculum vitae and a 3–6 page essay
- Admission application – no application fee required
- A valid, government-issued form of photo identification
GRE and GMAT are not required for admission.
International student requirements
If you completed your most recent academic coursework, degree, or credential at an institution outside the United States, regardless of your citizenship or where you currently live, you are considered an international applicant.
In addition to the above admission requirements, you will need to submit these materials:
- Minimum score on acceptable test for proof of English proficiency
- Transcript evaluation
Learn more about international student admissions.
What support does Capella offer online students?
Our programs are designed to meet the unique needs of a master’s student. We’ve structured the experience in manageable pieces to help you earn your degree with support from faculty, staff and online resources.
Paul Maione
- MFT program core faculty
- PhD in Marriage and Family Therapy
- AAMFT-approved supervisor
- LMFT in Florida
Cynthia Chestnut
- MFT program core faculty
- PhD in Couples and Family Therapy
- AAMFT-approved supervisor
- LMFT in Delaware
Brit Davis
- MFT program core faculty
- PhD in Marriage and Family Therapy
- AAMFT-approved supervisor
- LMFT in Virginia
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What can you do with an MS in Marriage and Family Therapy degree?
Your education can help you reach your professional and personal goals. While Capella cannot guarantee that a graduate will secure any specific career outcome, such as a job title, promotion, or salary increase, we encourage you to explore potential jobs and employment settings. Here are some ideas and examples for a graduate with an MS in Marriage and Family Therapy.
Related job titles to explore*
- Child and family therapist
- Family therapist
- Licensed marriage and family therapist
- Licensed therapist
- Marriage and family therapist
- Military and family life counselor
Employment settings to explore*
- Child and youth services
- Individual and family services
- Offices of mental health practitioners (except physicians)
*These are examples intended to serve as a general guide. Some positions may prefer or even require previous experience, licensure, certifications, and/or other designations along with a degree. Because many factors determine what position an individual may attain, Capella cannot guarantee that a graduate will secure any specific job title, a promotion, salary increase, or other career outcome. We encourage you to research requirements for your job target and career goals.