Reviewed by: Megan Kelly, MA, LMHC
Earning an online degree in marriage and family therapy (MFT) can enhance your career. Completing a COAMFTE-accredited online MFT program, however, can lead to an even more successful career outcome and improve your earning potential. Upon graduation, you will be able to apply for specialized MFT roles and work at medical centers, healthcare practices, public health agencies, and other organizations.
Learn more about COAMFTE-accredited online programs below, including how to apply for one of these degrees and the average salary after graduation.
Contents
What Is COAMFTE?
The Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy (COAMFTE) is a board of marriage and family therapy experts that accredits graduate and post-graduate MFT programs in the United States and Canada. COAMFTE is part of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT).
COAMFTE ensures the highest education standards for those who want to complete an MFT program and get a job as a therapist, counselor, or support worker. Currently, there are three types of programs that COAMFTE accredits. These programs are:
- Master’s degrees
- Doctoral degrees
- Post-graduate degrees
COAMFTE Accreditation
COAMFTE only accredits programs that provide students with the highest-quality education in marriage and family therapy. Schools must follow specific criteria to receive accreditation, such as:
- Implementing a curriculum and program structure founded in professional MFT principles.
- A focus on philosophy and ethics when teaching marriage and family therapy principles.
- Teaching students in an inclusive learning environment.
- Teaching students the required skills for MFT practice.
The Accreditation Process
Schools that offer MFT programs at the graduate and post-graduate levels can apply for COAMFTE accreditation via the AAMFT. The COAMFTE board will then review the school and decide whether to accredit the program. Once approved, schools will need to submit regular progress reports to the AAFMT. Schools that cannot deliver the required educational outcomes as prescribed by COAMFTE can have accreditation removed.
What is an Online COAMFTE-Accredited MFT Program?
An online COAMFTE accredited program is a MFT program with COAMFTE accreditation that takes place on the internet. That means you don’t have to study for your degree at a physical location. You learn a similar curriculum to one taught at a conventional college but attend classes and submit assignments through a learning management system (LMS), which is an online application used to manage and deliver online courses and development trainings.
Studying for a COAMFTE-accredited MFT program online provides various benefits. You won’t have to travel to a physical college or live on campus, for example. Plus, you can maintain any work, family, or travel commitments.
Online Curriculum
Course content in an online COAMFTE-accredited MFT program depends on the program curriculum. However, if the program is COAMFTE accredited then the MFT curriculum will have to offer specific program areas to meet COAFMTE accreditation requirements. Some of the educational areas and skills you might learn during your online education include:
- Treatment of mental health conditions
- Assessment and diagnosis
- Professional ethics and development
- Clinical skills
- Psychological theories
You might take exams after each course or complete a final examination toward the end of the program. Some online COAMFTE-accredited MFT programs require you to complete a dissertation, where you undertake independent research about a topic of your choice.
A COAMFTE accredited online programs allows you to tailor your online degree around your schedule. Depending on your commitments, you might study for your degree during the evening or on the weekends.
COAMFTE-Accredited MFT Program Requirements
You typically need a bachelor’s degree (or an extensive amount of work experience in a marriage and family therapy role) to enroll in a COAMFTE-accredited MFT online program, although these are encouraged and not always required. The application process will require a letter of intent, submission of application materials and undergrad transcripts, as well as an interview. Some MFT programs may also request CV/resume and references.
COAMFTE-Accredited MFT Program Costs
The cost of studying for a COAMFTE-accredited MFT program depends on the school. An online master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy at Touro University Worldwide — a COAMFTE-accredited MFT degree program — costs between $27,000 and $41,000. However, this price doesn’t include other costs such as material fees and program supplies.
Online programs can cost significantly less money than those at in-person colleges because you won’t have commuting or room and board costs, although you will have to commute to a practicum/internship site. Some programs also offer low-residency events, such as an intensive week/weekend on-site with the cohort to practice skills and seek feedback.
You can also apply for a scholarship or grant to reduce the costs associated with these programs.
Career Opportunities
Completing a COAMFTE-accredited MFT degree could increase earning potential. That’s because many employers in the field of MFT seek out job candidates who have graduated from programs with this accreditation.
The mean annual wage for a marriage and family therapist — one of the most common jobs for those with a degree from a COAMFTE-accredited MFT program — in the U.S. is $59,660, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). (Data correct as of May 2020.) That’s a mean hourly wage of $28.69.
The top-paying states for marriage and family therapists are:
- Utah: $86,490 (mean annual wage)
- New Jersey: $81,330
- Colorado: $73,040
- Minnesota: $68,660
- Nevada: $66,600
The top-paying metropolitan areas for marriage and family therapists are:
- Kingston, NY: $114,090 (mean annual wage)
- Salt Lake City, UT: $90,670
- Provo-Orem, UT: $86,260
- Ogden-Clearfield, UT: $85,450
- Trenton, NJ: $83,940
- St. George, UT: $81,270
- Yuba City, CA: $79,560
- Boulder, CO: $79,440
- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA: $78,350
- Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ: $78,120
The mean annual wage for a clinical, counseling, or school psychologist — another popular job for those with a degree from a COAMFTE-accredited MFT program — is $89,290, according to BLS. (Data correct as of May 2020.) That’s a mean hourly wage of $42.93.
The top-paying states for clinical, counseling, and school psychologists are:
- Oregon: $112,010 (mean annual wage)
- California: $111,750
- District of Columbia: $106,920
- New York: $96,170
- Louisiana: $96,040
The top-paying metropolitan areas for clinical, counseling, and school psychologists are:
- Santa Rosa, CA: $136,390 (mean annual wage)
- Jefferson City, MO: $118,920
- Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA: $117,960
- San Diego-Carlsbad, CA: $117,280
- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA: $117,140
- Madera, CA: $116,190
- Trenton, NJ: $114,740
- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA: $114,580
- Urban Honolulu, HI: $113,930
- San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande, CA: $113,730
BLS Data correct as of May 2021
What Are the Benefits of an Online COAMFTE-Accredited MFT Program?
There are lots of reasons to enroll in an online MFT program with COAMFTE accreditation:
Potentially Faster Licensing Process
One of the major benefits of earning an online COAMFTE accredited MFT degree is the potential for a faster process with earning a MFT license. Due to graduating from an COAMFTE accredited program, students are often not required to prove their quality of education or provide additional documentation. Being able to bypass these two steps can streamline the MFT licensure process, making attending an COAFMTE accredited program an easier and faster way to become a licensed marriage and family therapist.
Expert Professors
MFT programs with COAMFTE accreditation attract many leading experts from the field of marriage and family therapy, as well as instructors who actually work in the field and have real-world experience. You will have access to expert professors from locations across the world instead of those who work at a physical college in one location.
More Choice
Even the largest traditional colleges only have, at the most, two or three COAMFTE-accredited MFT programs. When you attend a MFT program with COAMFTE accreditation online, you can choose from schools in locations around the world and find specialized programs that teach the MFT topics that interest you the most.
Say you want to study substance abuse and the impact it has on family relationships. Your local college might offer a COAMFTE-accredited MFT degree but not include this topic in its curriculum. When you complete your education online, however, you have access to various schools that teach this specialized subject.
Flexibility
A COAMFTE-accredited MFT program typically takes around two years to complete. However, you might be able to complete your degree in a different time frame when you study online. Many online schools let you learn at your own pace at a time that suits you. You can take classes during the evening or during the weekends, for example.
If you have a full-time job or family commitments, an online MFT program with COAMFTE accreditation could provide you with more flexibility. You won’t have to attend in-person classes during the day or evenings, and you can study for your degree outside of regular hours at a time that works for you.
Further Your Career
Many recruiters in the field of MFT place a higher priority on job applicants who graduated from COAMFTE-accredited programs. Studying for one of these degrees online, therefore, could provide limitless career opportunities and make it easier to find a high-paying job in a career you love.
COAFMTE Accredited Schools in the US
| Name | Location | Degree | Type | Program/s Name |
| Abilene Christian University | Texas | Masters | Campus | Abilene Christian University |
| Abilene Christian University (Online) | Texas | Masters | Online | Abilene Christian University (Online) |
| Abilene Christian University (MMFT) | Texas | Masters | Campus | Abilene Christian University (MMFT) |
| Adler University (MA) | Illinois | Masters | Campus | Adler University (MA) |
| Adler University (PhD) | Illinois | Doctoral | Campus | Adler University (PhD) |
| Alliant International University | California | Masters | Online | Alliant International University |
| Alliant International University – Los Angeles (PsyD) | California | Doctoral | Campus | Alliant International University – Los Angeles (PsyD) |
| Alliant International University – San Diego (PsyD) | California | Doctoral | Campus | Alliant International University – San Diego (PsyD) |
| Alliant International University – Irvine (MA) | California | Masters | Campus | Alliant International University – Irvine (MA) |
| Alliant International University – Irvine (PsyD) | California | Doctoral | Campus | Alliant International University – Irvine (PsyD) |
| Alliant International University – Sacramento (MA) | California | Masters | Campus | Alliant International University – Sacramento (MA) |
| Alliant International University – Los Angeles (MA) | California | Masters | Campus | Alliant International University – Los Angeles (MA) |
| Alliant International University – Sacramento (PsyD) | California | Doctoral | Campus | Alliant International University – Sacramento (PsyD) |
| Alliant International University – San Diego (MA) | California | Masters | Campus | Alliant International University – San Diego (MA) |
| Antioch University New England (MA) | New Hampshire | Masters | Online | Antioch University New England (MA) |
| Antioch University New England (PhD) | New Hampshire | Doctoral | Online | Antioch University New England (PhD) |
| Antioch University Seattle (MA) | Washington | Masters | Hybrid/Blended | Antioch University Seattle (MA) |
| Appalachian State University (MA) | North Carolina | Masters | Campus | Appalachian State University (MA) |
| Auburn University (MS) | Alabama | Masters | Campus | Auburn University (MS) |
| Bethel Seminary (MA) | California | Masters | Campus | Bethel Seminary (MA) |
| Brigham Young University (MS) | Utah | Masters | Campus | Brigham Young University (MS) |
| Brigham Young University (PhD) | Utah | Doctoral | Campus | Brigham Young University (PhD) |
| California State University – Northridge (MS) | California | Masters | Campus | California State University – Northridge (MS) |
| Campbellsville University (MMFT) | Kentucky | Masters | Hybrid/Blended | Campbellsville University (MMFT) |
| Capella University (MS) | Minnesota | Masters | Online | Capella University (MS) |
| Central Connecticut State University (MS) | Connecticut | Masters | Campus | Central Connecticut State University (MS) |
| Chapman University (MA) | California | Masters | Campus | Chapman University (MA) |
| Christian Theological Seminary (MA) | Indiana | Masters | Campus | Christian Theological Seminary (MA) |
| Colorado State University (MS) | Colorado | Masters | Campus | Colorado State University (MS) |
| Converse College (MMFT) | South Carolina | Masters | Campus | Converse College (MMFT) |
| Converse College – University Center of Greenville | South Carolina | Masters | Campus | Converse College – University Center of Greenville |
| Council for Relationships (PDI) | Pennsylvania | Post-Degree | Campus | Council for Relationships (PDI) |
| Denver Family Institute (PDI) | Colorado | Post-Degree | Campus | Denver Family Institute (PDI) |
| Drexel University (MFT) | Pennsylvania | Masters | Campus | Drexel University (MFT) |
| East Carolina University (MS) | North Carolina | Masters | Campus | East Carolina University (MS) |
| East Carolina University (PhD) | North Carolina | Doctoral | Campus | East Carolina University (PhD) |
| Edgewood College (MS) | Wisconsin | Masters | Hybrid/Blended | Edgewood College (MS) |
| Evangelical Theological Seminary (MA) | Pennsylvania | Masters | Online | Evangelical Theological Seminary (MA) |
| Fairfield University (MA) | Connecticut | Masters | Campus | Fairfield University (MA) |
| Family Therapy Training Institute (PDI) | Wisconsin | Post-Degree | Hybrid/Blended | Family Therapy Training Institute (PDI) |
| Florida State University (PhD) | Florida | Doctoral | Campus | Florida State University (PhD) |
| Friends University (MS) | Kansas | Masters | Campus | Friends University (MS) |
| Friends University – Kansas City (MS) | Kansas | Masters | Hybrid/Blended | Friends University – Kansas City (MS) |
| Hope International University (MA) | California | Masters | Campus | Hope International University (MA) |
| Indiana Wesleyan University – Online (MA) | Indiana | Masters | Online | Indiana Wesleyan University – Online (MA) |
| Indiana Wesleyan University – Indianapolis (MA) | Indiana | Masters | Campus | Indiana Wesleyan University – Indianapolis (MA) |
| Indiana Wesleyan University – Marion (MA) | Indiana | Masters | Campus | Indiana Wesleyan University – Marion (MA) |
| Iona College (MS) | New York | Masters | Campus | Iona College (MS) |
| Kansas State University (MS) | Kansas | Masters | Campus | Kansas State University (MS) |
| Kansas State University (PhD) | Kansas | Doctoral | Campus | Kansas State University (PhD) |
| LaSalle University (MA) | Pennsylvania | Masters | Campus | LaSalle University (MA) |
| Lee University (MS) | Tennessee | Masters | Campus | Lee University (MS) |
| Lewis and Clark College (MCFT) | Oregon | Masters | Campus | Lewis and Clark College (MCFT) |
| Lipscomb University (MMFT) | Tennessee | Masters | Campus | Lipscomb University (MMFT) |
| Loma Linda University (DMFT) | California | Doctoral | Online | Loma Linda University (DMFT) |
| Loma Linda University (MS) – MFT Program | California | Masters | Campus | Loma Linda University (MS) – MFT Program |
| Loma Linda University (PhD) | California | Doctoral | Hybrid/Blended | Loma Linda University (PhD) |
| Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary (MA) | Kentucky | Masters | Campus | Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary (MA) |
| Mercer University – Atlanta (MFT) | Georgia | Masters | Hybrid/Blended | Mercer University – Atlanta (MFT) |
| Mercer University – Macon (MFT) | Georgia | Masters | Hybrid/Blended | Mercer University – Macon (MFT) |
| Michigan State University (PhD) | Michigan | Doctoral | Campus | Michigan State University (PhD) |
| Mount Mercy University (MA) | Iowa | Masters | Campus | Mount Mercy University (MA) |
| Northcentral University (MA) | California | Masters | Online | Northcentral University (MA) |
| Northcentral University (PhD) | California | Doctoral | Online | Northcentral University (PhD) |
| Northern Illinois University (MS) | Illinois | Masters | Campus | Northern Illinois University (MS) |
| Northwestern University, The Family Institute (MS) | Illinois | Masters | Campus | Northwestern University, The Family Institute (MS) |
| Nova Southeastern University (MS) | Florida | Masters | Campus | Nova Southeastern University (MS) |
| Nova Southeastern University (PhD) | Florida | Doctoral | Campus | Nova Southeastern University (PhD) |
| Nyack College (MA) | New York | Masters | Campus | Nyack College (MA) |
| Ohio State University (PhD) | Ohio | Doctoral | Campus | Ohio State University (PhD) |
| Oklahoma State University (MS) | Oklahoma | Masters | Campus | Oklahoma State University (MS) |
| Our Lady of the Lake University – San Antonio (MS) | Texas | Masters | Campus | Our Lady of the Lake University – San Antonio (MS) |
| Our Lady of the Lake University – Houston (MS) | Texas | Masters | Campus | Our Lady of the Lake University – Houston (MS) |
| Our Lady of The Lake University – Rio Grande Valley | Texas | Masters | Campus | Our Lady of The Lake University – Rio Grande Valley |
| Pacific Lutheran University (MA) | Washington | Masters | Campus | Pacific Lutheran University (MA) |
| Pfeiffer University (MA) | North Carolina | Masters | Campus | Pfeiffer University (MA) |
| Pfeiffer University, Raleigh-Durham (MA) | North Carolina | Masters | Campus | Pfeiffer University, Raleigh-Durham (MA) |
| Philadelphia Child & Family Therapy Training Center (PDI) | Pennsylvania | Post-Degree | Campus | Philadelphia Child & Family Therapy Training Center (PDI) |
| Purdue University Northwest (MS) | Indiana | Masters | Campus | Purdue University Northwest (MS) |
| Regis University (MA) | Colorado | Masters | Campus | Regis University (MA) |
| Saint Louis University (MA) | Missouri | Masters | Campus | Saint Louis University (MA) |
| Saint Louis University (PhD) | Missouri | Doctoral | Campus | Saint Louis University (PhD) |
| Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota (MA) | Minnesota | Masters | Campus | Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota (MA) |
| San Diego State University (MS) | California | Masters | Campus | San Diego State University (MS) |
| Seattle Pacific University (MS) | Washington | Masters | Campus | Seattle Pacific University (MS) |
| Seattle University (MA) | Washington | Masters | Campus | Seattle University (MA) |
| Seton Hall University (MS) | New Jersey | Masters | Campus | Seton Hall University (MS) |
| Southern Connecticut State University (MFT) | Connecticut | Masters | Campus | Southern Connecticut State University (MFT) |
| St. Mary’s University (PhD) | Texas | Doctoral | Campus | St. Mary’s University (PhD) |
| Syracuse University (MA) | New York | Masters | Campus | Syracuse University (MA) |
| Syracuse University (PhD) | New York | Doctoral | Campus | Syracuse University (PhD) |
| Syracuse University – Online Program | New York | Masters | Online | Syracuse University – Online Program |
| Texas Tech University (MS) | Texas | Masters | Campus | Texas Tech University (MS) |
| Texas Tech University (PhD) | Texas | Doctoral | Campus | Texas Tech University (PhD) |
| Texas Wesleyan University (MS) | Texas | Masters | Campus | Texas Wesleyan University (MS) |
| Texas Wesleyan University (PhD) | Texas | Doctoral | Campus | Texas Wesleyan University (PhD) |
| Texas Woman’s University (MS) | Texas | Masters | Campus | Texas Woman’s University (MS) |
| Texas Woman’s University (PhD) | Texas | Doctoral | Campus | Texas Woman’s University (PhD) |
| Thomas Jefferson University (MMFT) | Pennsylvania | Masters | Campus | Thomas Jefferson University (MMFT) |
| Touro University Worldwide | California | Masters | Online | Touro University Worldwide |
| University of Akron (MA) | Ohio | Masters | Hybrid/Blended | University of Akron (MA) |
| University of Akron (PhD) | Ohio | Doctoral | Hybrid/Blended | University of Akron (PhD) |
| University of Colorado Denver (MA) | Colorado | Masters | Campus | University of Colorado Denver (MA) |
| University of Georgia (PhD) | Georgia | Doctoral | Campus | University of Georgia (PhD) |
| University of Guelph (MS) | Ontario | Masters | Campus | University of Guelph (MS) |
| University of Houston Clear Lake (MA) | Texas | Masters | Campus | University of Houston Clear Lake (MA) |
| University of Iowa (PhD) | Iowa | Doctoral | Campus | University of Iowa (PhD) |
| University of Kentucky (MS) | Kentucky | Masters | Campus | University of Kentucky (MS) |
| University of Louisiana at Monroe (MA) | Louisiana | Masters | Campus | University of Louisiana at Monroe (MA) |
| University of Louisiana at Monroe (PhD) | Louisiana | Doctoral | Campus | University of Louisiana at Monroe (PhD) |
| University of Louisville (MSSW) | Kentucky | Masters | Campus | University of Louisville (MSSW) |
| University of Maryland (MS) | Maryland | Masters | Campus | University of Maryland (MS) |
| University of Minnesota (PhD) | Minnesota | Doctoral | Campus | University of Minnesota (PhD) |
| University of Nebraska Lincoln (MS) | Nebraska | Masters | Campus | University of Nebraska Lincoln (MS) |
| University of Nevada, Las Vegas (MS) | Nevada | Masters | Campus | University of Nevada, Las Vegas (MS) |
| University of New Hampshire (MS) | New Hampshire | Masters | Campus | University of New Hampshire (MS) |
| University of Oregon (MS) | Oregon | Masters | Campus | University of Oregon (MS) |
| University of Rhode Island (MS) | Rhode Island | Masters | Hybrid/Blended | University of Rhode Island (MS) |
| University of Rochester (MS) | New York | Masters | Campus | University of Rochester (MS) |
| University of Saint Joseph (MA) | Connecticut | Masters | Hybrid/Blended | University of Saint Joseph (MA) |
| University of San Diego (MA) | California | Masters | Campus | University of San Diego (MA) |
| University of Southern Mississippi (MS) | Mississippi | Masters | Campus | University of Southern Mississippi (MS) |
| University of Winnipeg (MMFT) | Manitoba | Masters | Campus | University of Winnipeg (MMFT) |
| University of Wisconsin Stout (MS) | Wisconsin | Masters | Campus | University of Wisconsin Stout (MS) |
| Utah State University (MS) | Utah | Masters | Campus | Utah State University (MS) |
| Valdosta State University (MS) | Georgia | Masters | Campus | Valdosta State University (MS) |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University – Falls Church (MS) | Virginia | Masters | Campus | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University – Falls Church (MS) |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University – Blacksburg (PhD) | Virginia | Doctoral | Campus | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University – Blacksburg (PhD) |
| Wheaton College Graduate School (MA) | Illinois | Masters | Campus | Wheaton College Graduate School (MA) |
| Whitworth University | Washington | Masters | Campus | Whitworth University |
Summary
- COAMFTE-accredited MFT programs typically take around two years to complete.
- You can complete a COAMFTE-accredited MFT degree entirely online and learn at your own pace. You won’t have to commute to a physical college or pay for accommodation.
- Course content on these programs depends on the learning provider, but expect to learn topics like physiological theories, counseling and ethics, and client diagnosis.
- Some recruiters in the field of MFT only consider job applicants who completed a COAMFTE-accredited MFT program.
- Earning an MFT degree with COAMFTE accreditation could improve earning potential.
- COAMFTE-accredited online programs let you study for your degree at a time that suits you. If you have family or work commitments, you can complete your online education at weekends or in the evenings.
- Programs costs depend on the learning provider. However, studying for an online MFT degree with COAMFTE accreditation could work out cheaper because you won’t have commuting or accommodation costs.
- An online master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy at Touro University Worldwide, for example, costs between $27,000 and $41,000
- You can apply for a scholarship, or grant to reduce the costs associated with one of these programs.