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Marriage and Family Therapy
Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy
Guide individuals, couples and families toward healthy and supportive relationships while realizing your professional goals. In Capella’s MS in Marriage and Family Therapy program, you’ll learn to apply systems-based theory to clinical services. Gain the skills to integrate wellness approaches and research into assessments and interventions with individuals, groups, couples and families. Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE), this program will help you prepare for an initial license as a licensed marriage and family therapist.
In compliance with the COAMFTE public disclosure policy, Capella University reports graduate achievement data including graduation, licensure, and job placements rates.
It is important to understand all education and individual requirements for licensing. Capella University cannot guarantee licensure, certification or endorsement. State regulations vary regarding professional licensure. Not all programs are offered to residents of every state due to regulatory requirements. It is your responsibility to understand and comply with requirements for your state.
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 up to $2,500
Enroll in a qualified program and apply for a $2.5K Capella Progress Reward, 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
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 cultural considerations from many perspectives. 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, and groups 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
Learners explore systemic therapy models, critical clinical skills, and important ethical practices essential for success in the field of marriage and family therapy. Learners gain the foundational clinical marriage and family therapy skills needed for their first residency experience. Learners also identify appropriate therapeutic assessments, particularly during times of crisis, and apply ethical and legal standards of practice when working with couples and families. MFT-R5821 must be taken the quarter immediately following MFT5820. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer. Prerequisite(s): MFT5008; MFT5222; MFT5270.
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
- 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
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.
- 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
- $512 per credit
- $175 resource kit
- 72 total quarter credits
- 16 max transfer credits
$36,864
NO ADDITIONAL CREDITS 33 months
$46,080
ADDITIONAL CREDITS 42 months
*This is only an estimate, effective July 7, 2025, and is subject to change.
Capella is committed to transparency in tuition and pricing. You will be responsible for costs in addition to tuition, which may include your resource kit, travel expenses and practicum costs.
Your tuition amount will vary depending on your unique circumstances such as your program specialization, transfer credits and any applicable tuition discounts. Books, course materials, supplies, equipment and other expenses are not included. Tuition estimates shown for the GuidedPath learning format depend on the number of credits accepted for transfer.
New or recently revised program estimates are based on comparable programs. Review program-specific fee amounts in our University Catalog.
“No additional credits” may reflect your tuition amount if you transfer no credits and intend to practice in a state for which no additional credits are recommended for state licensure. “Additional credits” may reflect your tuition amount if you transfer no credits and reside in a state for which additional coursework may be necessary for state licensure requirements. It is important to understand all educational and individual requirements for state licensure or certification, including total credit requirements, in the state or territory for which you intend to practice. 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.
Get the details
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.
Connect with an enrollment specialist to further discuss the cost of the program and explore your eligibility for scholarships and discounts.
Questions about cost?
Contact an enrollment specialist.
Are there scholarships available for master's degrees?
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Preparing for licensure
It is important to understand all education and individual requirements for licensing. Capella University cannot guarantee licensure, certification or endorsement. State regulations vary regarding professional licensure. Not all programs are offered to residents of every state due to regulatory requirements. It is your responsibility to understand and comply with requirements for your state.
Capella University is not accepting applications into the MS in Marriage and Family Therapy program from residents of the states and/or territories listed below who intend to seek professional license or certification in the restricted state.
Current students who relocate to the following states or territories may not be able to complete site-based learning or other program requirements, fulfill residency requirements, or obtain professional licensure or certification in the state or territory: NH, RI.
Get licensure details or contact an enrollment specialist for more information.
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 institutional accreditor 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
Your resume or curriculum vitae
Six-question essay, 200–300 words per question
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.
State enrollment restrictions
Capella University is not accepting applications into the MS in Marriage and Family Therapy program from residents of the states and/or territories listed below who intend to seek professional license or certification in the restricted state.
Current students who relocate to the following states or territories may not be able to complete site-based learning or other program requirements, fulfill residency requirements, or obtain professional licensure or certification in the state or territory: NH, RI.
Get licensure details or contact an enrollment specialist for more information.
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.