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Couples and family therapy is a fulfilling specialization in the counseling and behavioral health fields. You can enhance your counseling skills and focus your career on this specialization by earning a marriage and family counseling certificate. The Post-Master of Science in Counseling: Marriage and Family Therapy Certificate program at Grand Canyon University is designed to further the professional growth of individuals who hold a master’s degree or doctorate in a related field.
This advanced certificate program is offered by the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. It provides an in-depth survey of couples and family-related issues, including premarital counseling, domestic violence, divorce, family reunification and the integration of returning veterans. You will have opportunities to think critically about the evolving perspectives of family over time and about the biopsychosocial perspectives of family and family systems.
As a professional currently working in the behavioral health and counseling field, earning this post-MS certificate can allow you to focus your career on marriage and family therapy. Pursue a career you may find meaningful in helping couples and families learn to communicate more effectively and grow closer together. This certificate includes marriage and family therapy courses that explore a range of family systems.
GCU is pleased to make higher education accessible to working professionals. You can take marriage counseling courses online in a collaborative and interactive learning environment. You can benefit from lively discussions with peers who present a diverse range of perspectives and connect with qualified instructors who are knowledgeable in their fields.
In this program, you’ll explore an overview of the most current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), published by the American Psychiatric Association (APA). You will also explore and apply theories and current research to various counseling scenarios.
You will be prompted to reflect upon the following topics:
The role, value and benefits of family systems therapy
The historical and theoretical perspectives of couples and family dynamics
The dynamic processes of diverse family systems
How substance use and addictive disorders impact the family structure
You’ll have the opportunity to emerge from this certificate in marriage and family counseling with a more in-depth understanding of family systems, family roles and the issues that may impact healthy relationships among couples and families. Look forward to your future career specialization with confidence as you consider how you can empower families to strengthen their relationships.
You will be taught a range of treatment modalities, including cognitive behavioral and solution-focused therapies.
Other core topic areas include the following:
As a working professional who has a background in counseling or behavioral health, you could sharpen your skills and be better equipped to serve couples and families with this certificate. Marriage and family therapy counseling professionals are often compassionate individuals who are skilled at building rapport with couples and families and creating a non-judgmental therapeutic environment.1
Depending on your areas of focus, you may also work in a variety of settings. These may include private offices, outpatient care centers, state government agencies, schools and hospitals.2
Individuals who are licensed and trained to practice in marriage and family therapy counseling often work with a diverse client list, including:
Individuals (children, adolescents and adults)
Couples
Traditional and nontraditional family units
Estimated job growth for marriage and family therapists from 2022 to 20323
At GCU, we are proud to be an institutionally accredited university. The Higher Learning Commission has continually accredited GCU since 1968. The College of Humanities and Social Sciences shares the university’s commitment to upholding the principles and standards established by our accrediting bodies.
Browse through some answers to common questions to learn more about this marriage counseling certificate online program and possible career opportunities.
In the counseling field, an MFT is a marriage and family therapist. These therapists specialize in working with couples and families, diagnosing and treating disorders within the context of familial and marital relationships. An MFT can help couples and families strengthen communication skills, work toward healthier relationship dynamics and learn how to process their emotions.
As an MFT, you will work with a diverse group of clients with various types of behavioral and mental health issues. To be an effective therapist, it’s necessary to have strong communication skills, as these professionals must teach communication techniques to their clients. MFTs can also benefit from compassion, interpersonal skills and organizational skills.1
The top employers for marriage and family therapists are individual and family services, health practitioner offices, outpatient care centers and state government agencies. Some MFTs have their own private practice.2 Salaries can vary based on a number of factors, including employer, geographic location and years of experience. As of May 2023, the median annual salary for marriage and family therapists was $58,510, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).4
MFT is an umbrella term that encompasses all mental health professionals who focus on marriage and family counseling. This acronym can refer to either an LMFT-Associate or an LMFT, which stands for licensed marriage and family therapist. In other words, all LMFTs are MFTs, but not all MFTs are LMFTs. Depending on the licensure procedure for your particular state, you might work toward the LMFT-Associate designation first before meeting the requirements necessary to become an LMFT.5
Prepare to empower couples and families to grow closer together. Specialize in marriage and family therapy.
The program meets the academic requirements for licensure in Arizona as a Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC) and Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). Students who wish to practice in another state should check that state’s specific requirements.
1 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2024, April 17). How To Become a Marriage and Family Therapist. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved Aug. 5, 2024.
2 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2024, April 17). Marriage and Family Therapists: Work Environment. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved Aug. 5, 2024.
3 COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 to 2022 may be atypical compared to prior years. Accordingly, data shown is effective September 2023, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Marriage and Family Therapists, retrieved Aug. 5, 2024.
4 The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics(“BLS”), Marriage and Family Therapists as of May 2023, retrieved Aug. 5, 2024. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as marriage and family therapists, nor does it reflect earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc., against a pool of candidates.
5 Karunaratne, S. (2024, March 1). Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs): What It Means To Be in the Field. Online MFT Programs. Retrieved Aug. 5, 2024.
Online: $600 per credit [More Info]
Up to 12 credits or 1/3 of the total program requirements in transfer (whichever is less)
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).
