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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 to pursue state licensure eligibility for the MFT license.
COAMFTE Graduate Achievement Criteria Data for Capella University
Classes start April 10
Use the code WINTER to waive the $50 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
| MFT5336 |
Diversity and Social Justice in Systemic Family Therapy
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. |
4 quarter credits |
|---|---|---|
| MFT5107 |
Psychopathology: Diagnosis and Treatment of Behavior Disorders
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 psychopharmacological considerations and examine the current DSM classifications and diagnostic issues associated with multicultural populations. |
4 quarter credits |
| MFT5822 * |
Systemic and Group Interventions for Grief, Loss, and Trauma
In this course, learners continue to develop therapy skills using group and systemic interventions as they apply to grief, loss, and trauma. Learners assess group dynamics, group process, and multicultural issues in relationship to grief, loss, and trauma. Prerequisite(s): MFT5107, MFT5270, MFT5271, MFT5273, MFT5820, MFT-R5821. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer. |
4 quarter credits |
| MFT5108 * |
Impact of Addiction and Addictive Behavior on Family Systems
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
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
In compliance with the COAMFTE public disclosure policy, Capella University reports graduate achievement data including graduation rates, national exam pass rates and employment rates.
Review the Capella career exploration guide 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 term
$27,272–$35,064*
MAX TRANSFER CREDITS–AVERAGE TRANSFER CREDITS
$487 per credit, 72 total quarter credits, 16 max transfer credits
*This is only an estimate, using general program pricing, and it does not include fees (including application and resource kit fees). Your price may be higher or lower depending on your specialization, transfer credits, and tuition discounts. If transfer credits are allowed in this offering, the prices above show what you would pay if you brought in the average number of transfer credits and the price if you brought in the maximum allowed transfer credits.
Questions about cost?
Contact an enrollment counselor.
*Alumni Outcomes Survey, 2021–2022
“The knowledgeable and supportive instructors within the program prepared me by offering very individualized attention, practice, and feedback. My instructors took the time to help me identify the theory and approach that would best suit me in practice.”
Leslie Wilson-Charles* – MS in Marriage and Family Therapy
*Actual Capella graduate who agreed to appear in promotional materials.
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
- A $50 nonrefundable application fee, required at the time of application, to cover transcript requests, transcript evaluation, and other administrative costs
- 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.
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.
Job titles to explore
- Family therapist
- Marriage and family therapist
- Couples therapist
- Child/adolescent/youth therapist
- Therapist or counselor
- Substance abuse therapist
Employment settings to explore
- Community mental health center
- Family/social service agency
- County health department
- Department of social services
- Residential treatment center
- Mental health agency
- College or university counseling center
- Adoption agency
- Family preservation agency
- Private/group clinical practice
- Employee assistance program
- Hospitals
*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.
Articles and resources
Expand your perspective on academic and career topics with articles and resources from Capella University.
How to Choose a Career in the Helping Profession
Help others access the support they need when you discover the helping profession that’s right for you.
Transforming Lives: Making a Career as a Marriage and Family Therapist
Help your clients better their lives. Start your career in marriage and family therapy and work with individuals, couples and families.
Helping Professions Guide
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