What is an MFT degree?

As a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT), you can help couples and families identify the conflicts and issues affecting their relationships and then develop strategies to enable them to work through and overcome those problems.A Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) is the graduate degree required before a person can move on to earn licensure and become an LMFT. Prior to earning an MFT degree, the student would first need to earn a bachelor’s degree. Two logical choices that would suit a future career in marriage and family therapy would be a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology or a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work.

What jobs can you get with an MFT degree?

Of course, the most common career for a person with a Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy is to become a therapist. That role is discussed on the program page above.But an MFT degree can open doors to a variety of career options beyond being a marriage and family therapist. Here are a few different options:School counselor — Counselors work with students on classroom behavior, academic performance, and other areas such as anxiety. They can also provide career guidance. The span of the role can vary depending on the size of the school and the school district.Residential counselor — Residential counselors provide counseling to adult residents with mental health issues within healthcare facilities or community-based institutions.Case manager — Case managers are the facilitators between patients and health care providers, coordinating mental, physical, or emotional support and healthcare for patients. Assessing patient needs is an important component of this job.Health educator — The role of a health educator is to help clients understand how to live healthier, happier lives. Health educators may work on their own or they can work within school systems, healthcare facilities, or rehabilitation facilities. In government positions, health educators can create educational campaigns intended to boost public health.Clinical director — This role is a supervisory one tasked with leading a particular department in settings such as hospitals. In smaller facilities, clinical directors may coordinate and manage the entire facility.

What are the steps involved in becoming a marriage and family therapist?

The path is not set in stone, but becoming a marriage and family therapist typically involves these four steps:Education — Most states require a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy. But there is some leeway here, as some programs in mental health fields that focus on family therapy may also satisfy the educational component.Supervised clinical experience — After earning a master’s degree, a person must complete a specified number of supervised clinical hours working with clients. These hours, typically under the supervision of a licensed therapist, are in addition to the practicum hours earned with the master’s degree.Licensing exam — To demonstrate knowledge appropriate for a marriage and family therapist, states require you to pass a state-administered licensing exam. This exam covers topics such as assessment, diagnosing, systemic therapy, and hypothesizing. For instance, the California MFT Clinical Exam involves 150 questions and has a four-hour time limit. These exams are not uniform across every state.Continuing education — Once a person has gained licensure, most states require continuing education to stay up to date with the latest treatment/therapy approaches. To maintain your license as a marriage and family therapist, you must provide verification of completion of your required continuing education.

How much clinical experience is required to earning an MFT license?

There are two aspects to in-person practice involved when a person wants to become a marriage and family therapist. First, there is the practicum requirement, which is part of the master’s degree curriculum. At UMass Global, MFT students must complete 400 hours of hands-on experience in their six practicum courses. Of these 400 hours, 300 will be spent in direct client contact and the remaining 100 hours are spent in supervision of others providing therapy. The direct client contact hours require 100 hours spent with couples and family client units. The remaining 200 hours may be individual or relational hours.Once you earn your MFT degree, prior to sitting for your licensing exam, you now need to accumulate a certain amount of supervised clinical experience. For most states, (including California) this number is 3,000 hours. This takes two years in most cases. In these sessions, you work with clients while receiving supervision from a licensed therapist.

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An Advanced Degree Equals a Competitive Advantage

Earning a master’s degree from UMass Global can set you apart with specialized knowledge that employers value — knowledge and skills often required for leadership roles, professional licenses, or doctoral pursuits. On average, those with a master’s earn 21% more than bachelor’s degree holders, according to NCES. Our 100 percent online programs are built for working adults and backed by over a decade of online education experience. With 31 career-relevant concentrations — some with fieldwork — UMass Global master’s degrees offer flexibility, depth, and strong returns on your investment in your future.

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Programs Offered

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Psychology & Counseling

Marriage/Family Therapy (Marriage/Family Therapy/PCC), MA

Through a mix of online coursework and supervised in-person fieldwork, this dual emphasis MFT and PCC graduate degree prepares students for a career as a practicing clinical therapist. In that role, you’ll help individuals, couples, and families manage and work through relationship, personal, and psychological difficulties.

Next Start Date:

Jan 12, 2026

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Marriage/Family Therapy (Marriage/Family Therapy/PCC), MA

Dual Licensure

Online Coursework

Through a mix of online coursework and supervised in-person fieldwork, this dual emphasis MFT and PCC graduate degree prepares students for a career as a practicing clinical therapist. In that role, you’ll help individuals, couples, and families manage and work through relationship, personal, and psychological difficulties.

Degree Earned: Master's

Through a mix of online coursework and supervised in-person fieldwork, this dual emphasis MFT and PCC graduate degree prepares students for a career as a practicing clinical therapist. In that role, you’ll help individuals, couples, and families manage and work through relationship, personal, and psychological difficulties.

Degree Earned: Master's

Learning Mode: Online

Online

69 Credits

$750/Credit

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Next Start Date

Spring I (Jan 12, 2026)

Next Start: 01/12/2026

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Next Start: 01/12/2026

100% Online

Data Analytics & GIS

Master of GIS & Data Analytics

Transform location data into strategic decisions with UMass Global’s MGISDA. No prior GIS experience required; master analytics and business-ready skills.

Next Start Date:

Jan 12, 2026

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Master of GIS & Data Analytics

100% Online

Transform location data into strategic decisions with UMass Global’s MGISDA. No prior GIS experience required; master analytics and business-ready skills.

Degree Earned: Master's

Next Start: 01/12/2026

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Next Start: 01/12/2026

100% Online

CAHME Aligned

Healthcare

Master of Healthcare Administration

Take your place as a leader helping improve and reimagine healthcare. UMass Global's MHA degree prepares you to develop, plan, and manage healthcare operations and services within various healthcare systems.

Next Start Date:

Jan 12, 2026

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Master of Healthcare Administration

100% Online

CAHME Aligned

Take your place as a leader helping improve and reimagine healthcare. UMass Global's MHA degree prepares you to develop, plan, and manage healthcare operations and services within various healthcare systems.

Degree Earned: Master's

Take your place as a leader helping improve and reimagine healthcare. UMass Global's MHA degree prepares you to develop, plan, and manage healthcare operations and services within various healthcare systems.

Degree Earned: Master's

Learning Mode: Online

Online

33 Credits

$750/Credit

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Next Start Date

Spring I (Jan 12, 2026)

Next Start: 01/12/2026

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Next Start: 01/12/2026

Self-Paced

Leadership

Organizational Leadership *self-paced, MA

In this self-paced master’s in organizational leadership, you’ll work independently and on your schedule, demonstrating the leadership competencies prized in every organization.

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Continuous Starts

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Organizational Leadership *self-paced, MA

Self-Paced

In this self-paced master’s in organizational leadership, you’ll work independently and on your schedule, demonstrating the leadership competencies prized in every organization.

Degree Earned: Master's

Next Start: Continuous Starts

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Next Start: Continuous Starts

My academic advisor was a great support system. He was my advisor throughout my program and he took the time to learn about me personally so we could make the best schedule to accommodate my life.

Steve L.

Education, Teaching and Learning, MAE

Before, I was stuck in the process. Now I have the larger picture. I am more well-rounded. I would like to move to a management/leadership position and working on my MBA has made me better candidate.

Sandra W.

Business Administration, MBA

Master's Degrees

An Advanced Degree Equals a Competitive Advantage

Graduate Admission

Graduate Financial Aid

Programs Offered

Marriage/Family Therapy (Marriage/Family Therapy/PCC), MA

Marriage/Family Therapy (Marriage/Family Therapy/PCC), MA

Master of GIS & Data Analytics

Master of GIS & Data Analytics

Master of Healthcare Administration

Master of Healthcare Administration

Organizational Leadership *self-paced, MA

Organizational Leadership *self-paced, MA

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