Join other caring professionals in the online master in Marriage and Family Therapy at Syracuse University. According to U.S. News & World Report, marriage and family therapy, a core mental health profession, is one of the fastest-growing professions today. Syracuse University has been preparing marriage and family therapy professionals for nearly five decades, and our commitment to high-quality learning now includes our online degree program. Master level MFT professionals are in greater demand than ever due to increased access to health insurance coverage for mental health issues. The need is high for all segments of the population. This rigorous part-time program requires commitment and the ability to balance work, family and other responsibilities.
- 60-credit online curriculum includes 51 required credits and 9 elective credits
- Short residency enhances student-faculty relationships and promotes skill building
- Required 500-hour clinical practicum with individuals, couples, and families in your local community. Promotes professional competencies, relationship and resume building, and supports licensure.
- Prepares graduates to work with veterans, military families, couples, children and families
- Meets academic requirements for clinical membership in the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy
- The online master is accredited by COAMFTE (Accreditation and licensing)
Commitment to Diversity
Syracuse University’s Marriage and Family Therapy department demonstrates commitment to diversity and inclusion. Faculty and staff prepare students to value the creation of socially-just, anti-racist, LGBTQ-Affirmative and anti-discriminatory environments. Students are expected to engage in cultural humility, awareness of self in relation to others, and an understanding of psychosocial and cultural contexts of issues presented in clinical practice and research. We believe that valuing each other’s similarities and differences helps us to deepen our understanding of relationships in systems. Students are required to see clients with diverse backgrounds/experiences and may not choose their caseloads based on race, class, gender/gender expression, sexual orientation, religion, culture, age, or other diversity category.
Careers
Master level MFT graduates are highly trained mental health professionals who can make a significant contribution to the health and functioning of our society. They are in high demand in a variety of settings, including:
- Inpatient and outpatient centers and hospitals
- Government, military, and veterans facilities
- Substance abuse and addiction treatment facilities
- Mental health and counseling programs
- Schools and social service agencies
- Private Practice
Accreditation
Syracuse University’s MFT program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE). This accreditation ensures students receive a quality education in marriage and family therapy that has been evaluated and met accepted standards established by the profession. This marriage and family therapy program is specifically structured to help prepare students for licensure as marriage and family therapists. It includes a substantial critical training component in which students spend at least four semesters working under the supervision of clinical supervisors in community placement sites. Students identify potential sites and work with their Internship Coordinator to ensure the experience and supervision will meet program standards. Students in this program complete a minimum of 60 semester credits. Course work is not completed until the clinical hour requirement is met. Course content is based on AAMFT Core Competencies, the AAMFT Code of Ethics, and Student Learning Outcomes which are established as part of the accreditation (COAMFTE) process.
State Licensure
Licensure for marriage and family therapists is regulated at a state level. A listing of state licensure requirements is available on the Association of Marital & Family Therapy Regulatory Boards website. A degree from the MFT program at Syracuse University will help facilitate licensure, however applicants must review the state requirements for licensure in the state where they are interested in becoming licensed. If the Department of Marriage and Family Therapy at Syracuse University has, in good faith, approved clinical hours at a site in which hours counted by the student and signed by the supervisor are subsequently denied by a state board due to misrepresentation of qualifications on the part of the supervisor and/or agency director, or the trainee, the MFT Department cannot be held liable for loss of hours or income or for expenses incurred by the student or in any other way held liable. This makes it especially important that you consult with the program director of your faculty advisor if you have any questions about your site, your supervision, or issues regarding the earning of hours.
Please note: There are some states that have restrictions regarding online learning programs. Please make sure to look into your individual state’s requirements and restrictions prior to applying (Kansas and New Hampshire licensure requirements currently have restrictions for online education).
Tuition and Financial Aid
Applicants to the master in Marriage and Family Therapy are screened for admissions by a committee of faculty. Requirements include a completed bachelor degree, 3 letters of recommendation, video interview, and a personal statement. There is no minimum GPA required for admission, although the MFT Department uses a benchmark of 3.4 as a standard. If you have more questions about the program, visit our frequently asked questions page. Please note: once applying to the online program, you must remain in the online program structure for the duration of your degree. For additional admissions information, contact the Office of Admissions at falk@syr.edu, or fill out our online form:
Getting Admitted
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