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.

Dr. Aaron Maleare

Assistant Professor of Psychology

Arts and Sciences

Specialty Marriage and Family Therapy, Professional Clinical Counseling, Psychology

aaron.maleare@umassglobal.edu

Aaron Maleare, Ph.D., LMFT-S joins UMass Global as an Assistant Professor of Psychology for the School of Arts and Sciences. He has previously taught at various academic institutions working with undergraduate, masters, and doctoral students in various psychological, counseling, and family therapy disciplines. Dr. Maleare is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in North Carolina and Texas as well as an AAMFT Approved Supervisor. In his private practice, Dr. Maleare provides clinical supervision for students and new therapists in addition to direct therapeutic services to clients.

When he is not teaching or counseling, Dr. Maleare loves to bake, travel, and spend time with his family.

Education History

2023 - Ph.D. in Counseling and Psychological Studies, Regent University

Dissertation: “A Protocol for Integrating Mental Health Care in the Community of Faith”

2018 - M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy, Abilene Christian University

Thesis: “A Theory of Change: Attachment Theory and Emotionally Focused Therapy”

2012, 2007 - M.A. in Theological Studies, B.A. in Theology, Lipscomb University

Areas of Concentration: Comparative Religious Studies, Religious Pluralism

Scholarly Activities

2024-Present

Committee Member: Ethics and Social Justice, Texas Association of Marriage and Family Therapy

2017-2019

Board Member, Austin Association of Marriage and Family Therapy

Professional Experience

2025-Present: Assistant Professor of Psychology, University of Massachusetts Global

Teach undergraduate and graduate courses in Psychology and Marriage and Family Therapy programs.

2018-Present: Owner & Psychotherapist, Get Mental ATX

Private practice offering mental health counseling services, clinical supervision, training, and consultation.

2023: Core Faculty, Abilene Christian University

Teach graduate students in the Masters of Marriage and Family Therapy Program.

Education History

2023 - Ph.D. in Counseling and Psychological Studies, Regent University

Dissertation: “A Protocol for Integrating Mental Health Care in the Community of Faith”

2018 - M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy, Abilene Christian University

Thesis: “A Theory of Change: Attachment Theory and Emotionally Focused Therapy”

2012, 2007 - M.A. in Theological Studies, B.A. in Theology, Lipscomb University

Areas of Concentration: Comparative Religious Studies, Religious Pluralism

Scholarly Activities

2024-Present

Committee Member: Ethics and Social Justice, Texas Association of Marriage and Family Therapy

2017-2019

Board Member, Austin Association of Marriage and Family Therapy

Professional Experience

2025-Present: Assistant Professor of Psychology, University of Massachusetts Global

Teach undergraduate and graduate courses in Psychology and Marriage and Family Therapy programs.

2018-Present: Owner & Psychotherapist, Get Mental ATX

Private practice offering mental health counseling services, clinical supervision, training, and consultation.

2023: Core Faculty, Abilene Christian University

Teach graduate students in the Masters of Marriage and Family Therapy Program.

400 practicum hrs

Online Coursework

Psychology & Counseling

Marriage and Family Therapy, MA

Strengthen relationships with UMass Global's MA in Marriage & Family Therapy. Prepare for licensure with online coursework plus 400 practicum hours.

Next Start Date:

Mar 9, 2026

Learn More

339 practicum hrs

Online Coursework

Psychology & Counseling

Professional Clinical Counseling, MA

Transform lives with UMass Global's MA in Professional Clinical Counseling. Build evidence-based skills for diverse mental health settings with placement support.

Next Start Date:

Mar 9, 2026

Learn More

Dr. Aaron Maleare

Education History

2023 - Ph.D. in Counseling and Psychological Studies, Regent University

2018 - M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy, Abilene Christian University

2012, 2007 - M.A. in Theological Studies, B.A. in Theology, Lipscomb University

Scholarly Activities

2024-Present

2017-2019

Professional Experience

2025-Present: Assistant Professor of Psychology, University of Massachusetts Global

2018-Present: Owner & Psychotherapist, Get Mental ATX

2023: Core Faculty, Abilene Christian University

Education History

2023 - Ph.D. in Counseling and Psychological Studies, Regent University

2018 - M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy, Abilene Christian University

2012, 2007 - M.A. in Theological Studies, B.A. in Theology, Lipscomb University

Scholarly Activities

2024-Present

2017-2019

Professional Experience

2025-Present: Assistant Professor of Psychology, University of Massachusetts Global

2018-Present: Owner & Psychotherapist, Get Mental ATX

2023: Core Faculty, Abilene Christian University

Related Programs

Marriage and Family Therapy, MA

Professional Clinical Counseling, MA

Future Students

Current Students

Faculty & Staff

About UMass Global