Online MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling: Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) Emphasis
Online MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling: Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) Emphasis
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In the field of counseling, each day is unique, given that counselors often engage with a diverse range of clients, each facing their own distinct challenges and circumstances. Marriage and family specialists may help clients cope with difficult issues like infidelity, chronic stress, divorce and financial stressors.
Some marriage and family counselors work in private practice and/or the following settings:2
Hospitals and clinics
Social service agencies
Mental health centers
Substance abuse treatment centers
No matter how close a family is, life will always have its ups and downs. As an aspiring marriage and family therapist, you can make it your life’s work to help couples and families overcome obstacles and live harmoniously. The Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with an Emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy at Grand Canyon University focuses on family dynamics, parent-child relationships and issues that affect couples.
Offered by the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, the MFT courses offered through this emphasis will give you the opportunity to proactively plan the direction of your desired career. You will be given the tools to provide individual, couple and family counseling within a carefully structured environment that inspires a sense of security.
9,100 new jobs are estimated to open for marriage and family therapists from 2021 to 2031, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.1
Designed to help working professionals earn their advanced counseling degree, this master’s program offers online MFT courses or evening classes for added flexibility and convenience. The MFT online emphasis is available through our online learning where you have access to knowledgeable faculty in the counseling field, as well as online learning resources. As a student in this program, you will also have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience through supervised field experiences.
Read through our answers to these frequently asked questions about marriage and family therapy courses and earning your degree in clinical mental health counseling.
GCU’s clinical mental health counseling degree with an MFT focus includes online or evening courses as well as a minimum of 700 hours of supervised field experience through one practicum and two internships. How long it takes to complete the graduate program is dependent on your individual efforts.
In order to become a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) after you receive your accredited master’s degree, you will need to acquire 2,000 to 4,000 hours of supervised clinical experience.3 While the master’s in clinical mental health counseling MFT focus at GCU does not lead to licensure as an MFT, it provides you with the foundational knowledge and skills should you choose to pursue the LMFT path. Additionally, you must pass an approved licensure exam and complete continuing education courses to earn and maintain your license. Check your state for specific licensure requirements.
GCU offers a few master’s in clinical mental health counseling programs, including the marriage and family therapy emphasis. These graduate programs are identical in the counseling related courses, but the MFT emphasis has additional MFT courses specific to family systems and dynamics for those looking to specialize in working with couples and families.
Graduates with an MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree focused on MFT can take a family-oriented approach to assessing, diagnosing and treating mental, emotional, behavioral and interpersonal issues. Counselors specializing in MFT are professionals with an in-depth understanding of psychotherapy and family systems. As a student at GCU, you can be inspired to develop your understanding of the Christian worldview and faith-based ethics as you study the curriculum. Future counselors are encouraged to adopt a compassionate and empathetic approach to counseling while maintaining professional boundaries.
The coursework in this program is non-transferable from other institutions.
Credits: Fill out the Lopes Eval to find out what will transfer
Admission Requirements (Master's)
OR 2.5+ Unweighted GPA and
Admission requirements may differ based on degree level, program and modality, or transfer status. Some programs of study may require a higher GPA and/or other qualifying criteria for admission. Please review full admission and program requirements in the University Policy Handbook.
* Degree must be from an accredited college or program that has been approved by GCU.
** Combined verbal/quantitative, after August 2011 (1,000 combined verbal and quantitative, prior to August 2011).
The courses for this clinical mental health counseling with emphasis in marriage and family therapy program were selected to fit the requirements of the Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CCMHC) credential, the National Certified Counselor (NCC) credential and the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners.
GCU has been institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1968. This accreditation is a reflection of our mission to strive for academic excellence as we prepare students to tackle modern challenges in the workplace. The College of Humanities and Social Sciences shares the university’s commitment to upholding the principles and standards established by our accrediting bodies.
Are you ready to get started on your MFT career path? Complete the form on this page to get the information you need from our helpful university counselors.
Completion of this master’s in clinical mental health counseling degree program does not lead to marriage and family licensure. However, it does meet the academic requirements for licensure in Arizona as a Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC) and Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). It’s recommended that you review the requirements for licensure in other states as needed, as well as the licensure requirements for marriage and family boards.
The marriage and family therapy courses in this master’s program examine the complex dynamics of families and couples. The coursework begins by covering the fundamentals of the theories and models of counseling. Other early topics of study include the ethical and legal considerations of professional counseling.
Advanced coursework teaches the following core competencies:
The stages, processes and effects of substance use disorders
The counselor’s role in prevention, intervention and recovery
The structure and dynamics of the family
Assessments and methods of marital and family intervention and counseling
The biopsychosocial perspectives of family and family systems
The foundational development of marriage and family therapy
Approaches to working with diverse family systems
Multicultural, blended, adoptive, separated and single-parent families
1 COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 and 2021 may be atypical compared to prior years. The pandemic may impact the predicted future workforce outcomes indicated by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics as well. Accordingly, data shown is effective September 2022, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Marriage and Family Therapists, retrieved on June 21, 2023.
2 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2022, Sept 8). Marriage and Family Therapists: Work Environment. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
3 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2022, Sept 8). How To Become a Marriage and Family Therapist. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
