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.

Arts & Sciences

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Develop Marketable Skills

Taught by scholar-practitioners who are experts in their fields, our programs combine real-world application with research and theory-based practices. Many degree programs offer multiple emphasis options to align your professional goals with your learning experience, such as the Bachelor of Arts in Applied Studies, which allows you to design your own curriculum based on your work experience, interests, and future goals.

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WASC Senior College and University Commission

University of Massachusetts Global is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)

Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)

UMass Global's Bachelor of Arts in Social Work program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)

Our Faculty

All Arts & Sciences Faculty

Dr. Melanie Borrego, PhD

Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences

Dr. Ned Camuso, PhD

Associate Dean, School of Art & Sciences, Associate Professor of Humanities

Melissa Meyer, JD

Associate Dean, School of Arts & Sciences, Associate Professor of Legal Studies

Dr. Isa Ribadu, PhD

Associate Dean, School of Arts and Sciences, Professor of Psychology

Dr. Karen Woodcock, PhD

Associate Dean, Associate Professor of Social Work

Sibyl Beaulieu

Associate Professor of Social Work

Dr. Tobi DeLong Hamilton, PhD

Director of MSW Program, Associate Professor of Social Work

Dr. Zoila Gordon, PhD

Director of BASW Program, Associate Professor of Social Work

Dr. Sandy Howard, EdD

Director of Partnerships, Associate Professor of Social Work

The distinguished faculty and their dedication to their students as well as the administration have made it possible for us students to overcome the challenges we faced and helped us bring our educational goals to fruition.

Maribel L.

Legal Studies, BA

The counseling program prepared me for my surprise career in behavioral health by providing me with a strong background and practical experience in counseling techniques and a strong skill set in research and critical thinking—key in building a leadership career.

Robert P.

Professional Clinical Counseling, MA

Education is a treasure waiting for people to partake. There’s nothing more effective than getting a degree in a field you’re interested in and passionate about.

Bill K.

Social Work, MSW

Overview

The School of Arts and Sciences at UMass Global offers flexible, student-centered education at the associate, bachelor’s, certificate, and master’s levels. With programs in liberal arts, legal studies, psychology, counseling and therapy, social work, and more, the school prepares students to think critically, lead ethically, and engage with diverse perspectives.

Faculty combine academic theory with real-world experience to help students develop the skills and knowledge necessary for professional success and community impact. Whether advancing a career or pursuing new goals, students gain the tools to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

Vision

University of Massachusetts Global will be the visionary, worldwide leader in higher education, equipping students to achieve personal growth and success.

Mission

The mission of the School of Arts and Sciences is to provide a dynamic education that nurtures and stimulates intellectual growth and a greater understanding of our diverse communities. With cross-disciplinary curricula in the arts, humanities, and behavioral, natural and social sciences, the school utilizes innovative curricula, pedagogy, and technologies to foster scholar-practitioners who value ethics and service to others.

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