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A master's program in MFT covers theoretical, clinical, and research practices associated with providing professional therapy to couples and families. With the traditional nuclear family becoming less common, students learn how to work with individuals from a range of relational contexts. Coursework and practical hours, in turn, train graduates in techniques meant to help families face life changes, mental health issues, or other challenging circumstances. 

An online master's in MFT is designed to prepare students for a career in counseling and equip graduates with the necessary knowledge and experience to take state licensure exams.

Being accepted into an MFT program may be slightly more difficult when compared to other postbaccalaureate disciplines because students may have to meet unique criteria, such as demonstrating their prior real-world experience in the field. While each school typically sets its own admission requirements for graduate school, some competitive MFT counseling programs expect applicants to pass an interview and have a minimum B grade in child development, sociology, or counseling at the undergraduate level. In general, students will need to meet the following conditions in order to apply to an MFT master's program:

• A bachelor's degree in psychology or a related field with a minimum 3.0 GPA
• 2-5 letters of recommendation describing the candidate's ability to achieve a graduate MFT credential, along with a personal statement or essay
• GRE scores in at least the 50th percentile for each of the verbal, quantitative, and writing sections

Are you unsure about pursuing an MFT degree? Consider exploring other , such as a . 

The curriculum for an online MFT master's includes classes in psychology, sociology, and clinical research, to name a few. In some cases, students can elect coursework that covers the legal and ethical aspects of providing therapy in familial settings, as well as the challenges associated with serving vulnerable populations. They may also choose classes that focus on specializations — such as medication, substance abuse, and sexuality — while developing skills in communication, research, and negotiation. Below is a list of courses students can expect to take in an MFT master's program.

• Couples Therapy: Students take this class to prepare for treating couples undergoing marital or premarital conflict. They familiarize themselves with various theoretical perspectives, drawing on research-based methods to understand different forms of intervention. This class may also cover how relationships between couples have changed over time.
• Group Counseling for Children and Adolescents: This elective course focuses on group therapy and emphasizes working with children, adolescents, and their families. Students study how to manage and lead group sessions to address the environmental, behavioral, and cognitive factors shaping relationships between siblings and parents. Learning techniques may include role-playing, mock interviews, traditional lectures, and discussion.
• Medical Family Therapy: When families face challenging medical circumstances, a trained MFT professional helps them address difficult emotions and practical considerations. Students in this class train in family systems theory, learning how to support individuals coping with a loved one's illness or navigating palliative care.
• Psychopathology and Diagnosis: Students enrolled in this course may practice how to diagnose a range of mental health disorders. This includes learning how to identify unique behavior related to schizophrenia, bipolarism, and depression, while also treating individuals through a mixture of medication and therapy.
• Trauma and Crisis Counseling: This class focuses on the psychology of trauma, particularly as it relates to factors such as abuse and neglect. In addition to learning how these challenges affect everyday behavior in adults, adolescents, and children, students focus on remedying specific conditions, such as post-traumatic stress disorder.

Students complete roughly 500 supervised clinical hours as part of an MFT master's degree. This involves interacting directly and indirectly with patients in various clinical settings — such as interviews, assessments, and interventions. In general, full-time MFT master's students spend 20 hours a week completing practicum requirements.

Many online MFT programs help distance learners gain placement at a clinic in their area of residence. Online students typically research where they can complete practicum hours before working with a dedicated faculty member during the application process. It's important to note that some programs may expect online learners to make their own practicum arrangements.

MFTs may work in schools, hospitals, outpatient centers, and private practice clinics. A master's degree in this field — along with licensure — is designed to prepare graduates to offer counseling services to families and couples. They can also pursue careers in individual and family services, an economic sector that added 165,004 jobs in the last 12 months, according to data from , a data analytics company. Specifically, they may find work with or in parts of the country where demand for their services is high — such as California, Massachusetts, and Minnesota. 

Below is a list of potential career paths for MFT master's graduates, with salary and job outlook data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS): 

• require licensure and provide short-term, solution-based services to individuals addressing challenges, including alcoholism, mood disorders, or marital distress, to name a few. They typically help children, parents, and couples identify sources of stress and develop coping mechanisms, working one-on-one with clients and in group settings.
• research the emotional and environmental factors that shape various kinds of human behavior. They publish studies and typically look for ways to improve therapy practices, with some also providing clinical services. While an MFT master's program provides training in psychology, this career requires students to complete a doctoral degree in psychology in most cases.
• help children and adolescents navigate various social and behavioral challenges. These professionals identify challenges students face, such as neglect and abuse, and provide them with resources for additional support. They also help prepare students for life after high school.
• play a crucial role in assessing and communicating genetic information to individuals and families, aiding them in making informed decisions about their health and hereditary risks. They collect comprehensive medical histories, evaluate genetic data, and provide counseling on testing options, risks, and benefits. Additionally, genetic counselors offer emotional support to clients affected by test results and stay updated on developments in genetics. These professionals work across various specialty areas, such as prenatal, cancer, and pediatrics, ensuring that clients receive tailored guidance and care based on their specific needs.

It can take several years to begin practicing as an MFT after receiving your MFT bachelor's degree. You will likely spend a majority of this time completing a graduate degree — such as a master's — which is a requirement for licensure in all 50 states and typically takes two years of full-time study to complete. Some programs can take longer, depending on the time it takes to meet the clinical hour requirements of your degree program.

After achieving your master's, you will need additional clinical experience completed under the supervision of a designated supervisor. The number of postgraduate hours varies by state but typically falls into the 2,000-4,000 range. Depending on whether you work full- or part-time, it can take an additional 2-3 years to meet this requirement. Once you meet these conditions, you need to prepare for and pass the board exams.

Openings for MFT providers are increasing at a higher rate than other client counseling areas. In turn, the BLS estimates that there will be through the next decade. These findings correspond to data from Burning Glass, which shows that the job outlook for individual and family services is projected to increase by 13% in the next decade. To put this into perspective, the BLS shows that the average growth rate for all occupations is 3%.

Licensure helps ensure that practicing MFT professionals are effectively trained to offer counseling services. As of 2009, all 50 states require MFT providers to have this stamp of approval. 

To apply for licensure, MFT graduates must go through their state's . They need a master's degree and — depending on the jurisdiction — 2,000-4,000 hours of postgraduate clinical experience to meet licensure requirements. Applicants also need to pass board exams and renew their qualification annually, which usually involves completing specific courses and paying a fee. It's important to note that states' licensing boards do not rely on certification from the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy, a professional association that provides resources and information to individuals interested in this field.