Online degrees in family therapy can offer a low-cost, flexible path to a career as a marriage and family therapist (MFT). Learn about the benefits of an online MFT program, what to expect, and prospective career and salary information. Explore our ranking of low-cost online degrees in family therapy to find your best choice.
Popular Online Counseling Master's Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Why Get an Online Family Therapy Degree?
Online degrees in family therapy provide flexibility, affordability, and preparation for roles helping families and couples.
- Flexibility: Online programs usually offer entirely online coursework and allow you to complete practicums and internships in your local area. Course delivery may be asynchronous (recorded class sessions available 24/7), or synchronous (virtual classes at scheduled times).
- Affordability: Online degrees in family therapy can save you money. Programs may offer in-state tuition to distance learners, and online study can reduce commuting costs. Distance learning can also eliminate relocation expenses and allow you to continue working.
- Preparation for helping roles: MFTs and other mental health professionals are in short supply. Nearly half of the U.S. population lives in a mental health shortage area and cannot find the help they need, particularly in rural areas. An online degree in family therapy can prepare you to make a difference.
Top Affordable Online Degrees in Family Therapy
#1 Best Low-Cost Online Master’s Degrees in Marriage and Family Therapy
Liberty University
- Lynchburg, VA
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
As part of the Behavioral Sciences Online Department, Liberty's master of arts in marriage and family therapy is one of the best low-cost programs for helping individuals become licensed marriage and family therapists. This affordable marriage and family program uses a systems theory and Christian perspective to train students to provide effective intervention for clients with critical needs. Career opportunities in this field include positions in in-hospital programs, in-residential treatment centers, and mental health facilities.
After completing the coursework requirements, graduates will be ready to pursue licensure as a marriage and family therapist in Virginia and other states that accept Virginia licensure. Most Liberty graduate students earn this degree in about 2.5 years. Applicants must turn in a completed application, official college transcripts indicating a minimum 2.7 GPA, two references, and a personal statement.
Courses Include
- Assessment Techniques in Counseling
- Theories of Family Systems
- Substance Abuse: Treatment and Diagnosis
- Assessment, Diagnosis, and Treatment Planning in Family Counseling
- Advanced Couple and Marital Counseling
Unique Features
- Cost: $33,900
- Credits Required: 60
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Percent Online Enrollment
92%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#2 Best Low-Cost Online Master’s Degrees in Marriage and Family Therapy
Concordia University-Wisconsin
- Mequon, WI
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
CUW offers a valuable yet low-cost online master's degree in marriage and family therapy. Located in the Department of Graduate Education, this master of science in family life helps students become family life educators. This affordable online marriage and family program uses a Christian perspective and understanding to equip students to address children's self-esteem issues, biases in relationships, and other family relationship challenges. The program prepares them for careers as family social workers, program directors, and family therapists.
After completing approximately two years of required coursework, graduates of this marriage and family program become Certified Family Life Educators. They will be ready to promote family living in churches, schools, and criminal justice facilities. Prospective CUW students must submit official bachelor's degree transcripts, a resume, a completed online application, a one-page essay, and two recommendation letters.
Courses Include
- Human Sexuality
- Family Law and Public Policy
- Contemporary Issues: Family and Parenting
- Professional Ethics
- Family Resource Management
Unique Features
- Cost: $22,680
- Credits Required: 36
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Percent Online Enrollment
53%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Higher Learning Commission
#3 Best Low-Cost Online Master’s Degrees in Marriage and Family Therapy
Touro University Worldwide
- Los Alamitos, CA
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
TUW's Edith Neumann School of Health and Human Services is home of one of the top low-cost marriage and family programs. This university's master of arts in marriage and family therapy provides a gateway to licensure as a marriage and family therapist (MFT). The program offers three degree tracks: clinical, nonclinical, and licensed professional clinical counseling.
Within a two-year period, this online master's program fully prepares graduates to be eligible for MFT licensure in California and most other states. For students working in states with no MFT licensure requirement, the nonclinical degree track is available. Program candidates must submit a completed application and proof of a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with at least a 2.5 GPA.
Courses Include
- Foundations of Psychopathology
- Child-Focused Family Therapy
- Research Methodology
- Substance Abuse and Recovery
- Studies in Human Communication
Unique Features
- Cost: $36,000
- Credits Required: 54-82
- Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
Acceptance Rate
Not provided
Percent Online Enrollment
99%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
#4 Best Low-Cost Online Master’s Degrees in Marriage and Family Therapy
Abilene Christian University
- Abilene, TX
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
ACU's master of marriage and family therapy (MMFT) program successfully prepares individuals to be licensed marriage and family therapists. Located in ACU's online graduate degrees department, this low-cost program teaches students to provide Christian service and guidance in various faith-based and secular environments like nonprofit agencies, recovery centers, adoption agencies, and community mental health centers.
ACU's MMFT program has degree tracks in child and adolescent therapy, medical family therapy, and treatment of trauma. It typically takes less than three years to complete the degree requirements and qualify for MFT licensure in Texas. Applicants must provide a completed online application, an essay, three letters of recommendation, and maintain a 3.0 GPA in the first 12 credit hours of coursework.
Courses Include
- Systemic Diagnosis and Assessment
- Family Life Cycle
- Cultural Diversity in Family Therapy
- Systemic Play Therapy
- Assessment and Treatment of Childhood and Adolescent Disorders
Unique Features
- Cost: $48,495
- Credits Required: 60
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Percent Online Enrollment
39%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#5 Best Low-Cost Online Master’s Degrees in Marriage and Family Therapy
Palo Alto University
- Palo Alto, CA
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
In the Department of Counseling at Palo Alto University, the online master of arts in counseling with an emphasis in marriage, family, and child counseling provides one of the best cost-efficient programs in this field. The program fuses scientific research and advanced clinical training to produce competent marriage and family therapists with science-based practices. Graduates may find career opportunities in health maintenance organizations, schools, private practice, and religious organizations.
PAU's online marriage and family therapy program satisfies all the educational requirements for the pursuit of the marriage and family therapist (MFT) or the dual MFT and professional clinical counselor license in the state of California. For a minimum of 27 months, this program requires students to be enrolled continuously and finish the degree on pace with their cohort. MFT candidates must provide official transcripts, a resume or CV, a completed application, letters of recommendation, and a purpose statement.
Courses Include
- Community Mental Health
- Lifespan Development
- Multicultural Counseling Theories and Techniques
- Family Systems Theory
- Counseling Women
Unique Features
- Cost: $50,592
- Credits Required: 93
- Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
Retention Rate
Not provided
Acceptance Rate
Not provided
Percent Online Enrollment
100%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
#6 Best Low-Cost Online Master’s Degrees in Marriage and Family Therapy
University of West Alabama
- Livingston, AL
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
One of the best low-cost master's in marriage and family therapy degrees resides in the Online Psychology and Counseling Department at UA. The purpose of this master of science in family counseling is to increase students' effectiveness in working with families and family-related issues. To help students create positive change strategies, this program concentrates on using a nonpathology-based vantage point to conduct family counseling through understanding family relations and conflicts. This marriage and family degree appeals to licensed clinical practitioners, therapists outside the United States, clergy, and others exempt from licensure requirements.
Since this online family counseling program does not require a practicum or clinical hours, UA students can complete the course requirements entirely online in 1-2 years. Admission requires applicants to submit an official transcript of undergraduate work and an online completed application.
Courses Include
- Techniques of Educational Research
- Advanced Techniques in Family Counseling
- Educational Statistics
- The Therapeutic Relationship
- Professional Orientation and Ethics
Unique Features
- Cost: $14,157
- Credits Required: 33
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Percent Online Enrollment
83%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#7 Best Low-Cost Online Master’s Degrees in Marriage and Family Therapy
University of Massachusetts Global
- Irvine, CA
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
UMass Global's online master of arts in marriage and family therapy houses an affordable and one of the top marriage and family programs. Located in the Arts and Sciences Department, this program provides students with the qualifications to become licensed marriage and family therapists. It uses a career-relevant design to focus on vital issues that affect family relationships, such as substance abuse and sexual disorders.
UMass Global's marriage and family therapy program sets its graduated students up for licensure in California, Washington, and 39 other states. Prospective students must meet specific GPA criteria and provide official transcripts from a regionally accredited institution, an autobiographical essay, a completed application, and three recommendation forms.
Courses Include
- Marital Systems and Studies and Domestic Violence
- Research and Bibliographic Methods
- Advanced Psychopathology and Diagnosis
- Theory and Practice of Group Counseling
- Community and Environmental Mental Health
Unique Features
- Cost: $40,200
- Credits Required: 60
- Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
Percent Online Enrollment
99%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
#8 Best Low-Cost Online Master’s Degrees in Marriage and Family Therapy
Amridge University
- Montgomery, AL
- 4 years
- Online
Amridge has an online master of arts in marriage and family therapy that is one of the best and most affordable means of becoming a licensed marriage and family therapist (MFT). This program introduces students to the latest clinical techniques and strategies for providing therapeutic services to couples, families, and individuals. It qualifies them to work in employee assistance programs, government agencies, health maintenance organizations, and more.
Once students complete the coursework and degree requirements, they will be eligible to pursue MFT licensure in 40 states and Washington, D.C. Students can complete the seven semesters of degree requirements and coursework on a full- or part-time basis. Aspiring Amridge students must submit a completed online application and official transcripts from all undergraduate institutions.
Courses Include
- Interpersonal and Family Dynamics
- Theories of Personality Development
- Psychopathology and Psychopharmacology
- Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy
- Theories of Personality Development
Unique Features
- Cost: $40,500
- Credits Required: 60
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Acceptance Rate
Not provided
Percent Online Enrollment
Not provided
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#9 Best Low-Cost Online Master’s Degrees in Marriage and Family Therapy
Mid-America Christian University
- Oklahoma City, OK
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
The marriage and family counseling degree at MACU is one of the best low-cost pathways to a fulfilling career as a licensed marriage and family counselor. MACU's master of science in counseling with an emphasis in marital, couples, and family counseling focuses on producing counseling professionals capable of using a biblical perspective and scientific methodology to establish a faith-based practice. Some graduates of this online marriage and family degree program have gone on to work as alcohol and drug counselors, professors, marriage and family therapists, and professional counselors.
MACU specifically prepares its students for Oklahoma marriage and family therapist licensure. Students can complete all coursework for this affordable marriage and family therapy degree 100% online though there may be a requirement to live on campus. Applicants must present a photocopy of their U.S. driver's license, official transcripts from a regionally accredited institution showing a 2.75 GPA, a minimum 139 GRE or 365 MAT score, and a personal statement.
Courses Include
- Clinical Issues of Aging, Death, and Dying
- Intervention for Individuals and Families in Crisis and Trauma
- Child/Adolescent Psychopathology and Counseling
- Group Dynamics and Counseling
- Marital and Family Treatment Techniques
Unique Features
- Cost: $38,520
- Credits Required: 60
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Acceptance Rate
Not provided
Percent Online Enrollment
95%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Higher Learning Commission
At BestCounselingDegrees.net, we use data from reputable sources like the U.S. Department of Education to help you find the best school for your needs. The most important metric in our rankings -- affordability -- accounts for 60% of our formula. We also consider academic quality, program offerings, online enrollment, and graduation rates.
This ranking is from 2023. Learn more about our ranking methodology.
What to Expect from an Online Family Therapy Degree
Online degrees in family therapy focus on family relationships, and many programs prepare enrollees to pursue marriage and family therapist licensure. Graduates find employment in government agencies, healthcare settings, private practice, and schools.
Learners delve into therapeutic techniques and strategies to help couples, families, and individuals. Issues affecting relationships include addiction, child and adolescent behavior, illness and injury, sexual disorders, and trauma. Family therapy curricula also develop communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
Students typically earn their master's degree in 24-30 months. Distance learners take their courses online but may need to complete practicum or internship hours in person. Some programs require students to attend on-campus orientation or intensives.
The best online degrees in family therapy hold accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE).
Popular Marriage and Family Therapy Courses
Online degrees in family therapy include courses in group dynamics and counseling, marital and family treatment techniques, professional orientation and ethics, and research methodology. While programmatic content varies, the following courses are often found in master's curricula.
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Assessment, Diagnosis, and Treatment
This course explores the major treatment skills and techniques used in marriage and family counseling. Clinical role-play provides opportunities to practice assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning. Students also learn how addiction, crisis, and trauma impact diagnosis and treatment.
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Family Systems Theory
In this introduction to general systems theory and family therapy, students examine the development of therapeutic models and current integrative models. The course includes practice in case material conceptualization from a family systems perspective.
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Psychopathology
This class introduces psychological disorders associated with chemical dependency and medical conditions. Learners identify disorders using Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders criteria and explore the continuum of care.
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Substance Use and Recovery
This course introduces enrollees to the behaviors, causes, and physiological and psychological effects of substance use. Students learn about the current counseling and treatment methods for facilitating recovery.
How Much Do Online Family Therapy Degrees Cost?
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, graduate tuition for public institutions averaged $12,596 and $28,017 for private schools, respectively, in 2021-2022. Online study can save students money in several ways. Public universities may apply in-state tuition rates to distance learning, and students can minimize or avoid commuting expenses. Online programs can negate the need to relocate to a new city for school.
Financial aid is also available to distance learners. These include merit- or need-based scholarships and grants, government loans, and loan forgiveness programs. One example of loan forgiveness is the Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery Loan Repayment Program for graduates who agree to work in mental health shortage areas for six years.
Careers with an Online Marriage and Family Therapy Degree
Marriage and family therapists help individuals, couples, and families in a variety of settings. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the largest employers include individual and family services (29%), offices of other healthcare practitioners (28%), and outpatient care centers (13%). MFTs also open private practices and work in treatment centers, hospitals, and schools.
MFT practice focuses on family systems, even when working with individuals. They assess clients; help them process difficult changes and situations affecting the family; and formulate treatment plans. They often collaborate with and refer clients to other mental health professionals, such as psychologists and social workers.
In May 2023, the median annual salary for an MFT was $58,510, according to the BLS. The lowest 10% earned $39,090, and the highest 10% made $104,710.
Common Questions About Affordable Online Family Therapy Degrees
You need a bachelor's degree, followed by a master's degree in family therapy, psychology, or a related mental healthcare field to become a family therapist. After you graduate, you will receive post-degree supervised training in providing therapeutic services to clients. Then you can apply for licensing through your state board.
You can expect to spend 2-3 years earning your online family therapy degree. You may be able to shorten the timeline through accelerated study or with transfer credits. It may take longer if you enroll as a part-time student.
Accredited online family therapy degrees receive the same respect as on-campus degrees. Make sure your program holds COAMFTE accreditation, which assures employers that your MFT curriculum has been evaluated for academic quality.
The BLS lists the highest-paying industries for MFTs as home healthcare services ($122,120), K-12 schools ($89,000), and state government agencies ($84,770) for May 2023. MFTs in New Jersey, Maryland, and Utah earn the highest salaries among U.S. states, with wages averaging $83,980 to $92,120.
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